Today’s Post by Joe Farace
One of the problems with traditional, continuous “hot lights” is that they are, well, hot and are not all that comfortable to work under for subject and photographer alike. Looking for something cooler? Welcome to a world of continuous light sources powered by fluorescent bulbs. I know what you’re thinking, don’t fluorescent lights produce horrible green light?
Fluorescent-based lights used for photography are daylight-balanced and their RGB output closely matches the receptive RGB spikes of a digital camera’s imaging chip. That chip is least sensitive in its blue channel and tungsten light has the least output in the blue and when combined with its infrared (heat) output it can overcome the chip’s spectral response.
Westcott’s Two-Light Daylight D5 Softbox kit includes two D5 light heads, two 24×32-inch Basic softboxes, ten 27 Watt daylight balanced lamps and two 6.5 ft lightstands. The softboxes have a silver reflective lining to maximize output along with heat resistant rods that mount on receptacles on the D5 head. The kit comes in a 10x12x29-inch box that since it has a handle could double as a carrying case, if you don’t have something more suitable and photographically oriented.
How I made this portrait: The above image of Pamela Simpson was made in my home studio using a Panasonic Lumix GH4 with 45mm f/2.8 Leica DG Macro-Elmarit lens with an exposure of 1/30 sec at f/4 and ISO 640, with a minus one and one-third stop exposure compensation to maintain the low key look. Background is a 5×7-ft Savage Black Infinity vinyl background that was hung on my falling apart JTL background stand.
The RAW image file was originally converted to monochrome using Silver Efex Pro. That was my approach when originally posting sexy glamour portraits because I was afraid of Internet censors and nanny software. In recent months, I have stopped being afraid and have been posting images that were a little more honest and so this post was updated with the color version of the original monochrome post. The final touch was adding a bit of softness from the Glamour Glow filter from Color Efex.
Be aware: Because fluorescent lamps contain mercury, they are classified as hazardous waste. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that FLD lamps be separated from general waste for recycling or safe disposal. Home Depot in my area has a recycling area for these kinds of bulbs and I’m sure there are others at similar stores.
Copies of my book Creative Digital Monochrome Effects, which has many tips, tricks and techniques for monochrome conversions and effects, is available from Amazon with new copies selling for $8.45 with used copies starting around two bucks, way less than your next coffee at a Starbucks drive-through. No Kindle version is currently available, sorry.