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Is it wrong of me to use hotlights?
I have to say that natural lighting is my first choice, but when I want something a little different, I resort to hotlights. Is that wrong? I am a novice, I admit that, but I don't want to start pulling out all these bells and whistles, pretending to know what I'm doing with them, when I haven't the slightest (yet.) I am determined to know, though, and will. I personally like the feel of hotlights, I know some people gasp at the thought, but I cant' help it. haha. But what do other people think? Is my liking and using hotlights going to tarnish me as an amateur forever? I have strobes, I just haven't been happy using them. What are your thoughts on the subject? Apr 06 07 11:27 am Link I have worked with many established, published photographers who prefer hotlights. That's definitely not an indication of anything other than preference (and maybe budget!). Apr 06 07 11:28 am Link . Global warming? . Apr 06 07 11:30 am Link I've used lights from Home Depot. Light is light. Make it work.  Apr 06 07 11:31 am Link RSM-images wrote: HUH? Apr 06 07 11:31 am Link Shyly wrote: That certainly makes me feel better. haha. Apr 06 07 11:33 am Link Kris Perry Photography wrote: It appears your joke filter is inoperative. Apr 06 07 11:33 am Link Since I'm still learning the light aspect of things, is there anything I should be aware of when looking at bulbs? (Brand, Temp., Etc?) Apr 06 07 11:36 am Link RSM-images wrote: oh......ha! ;0) Apr 06 07 11:38 am Link They all need to be the same temperature. Then do a custom white balance. make sure they are all the same voltage (the Chinesse ones are often 130 volts and burn warmer) Apr 06 07 11:39 am Link ward wrote: EXACTLY.. Apr 06 07 11:41 am Link Nothing wrong with hot lights; light is light, but, often the preference may come from lack of knowledge on controlling and using strobe (strobe must have modeling light). Hot lights were much more common before the invention and refinement of strobes for photography. Once strobe use is learned it is much easier to use than hot lights. Apr 06 07 11:45 am Link Perfect Red Photography wrote: Best to make sure they are all the same tempature. Also be aware of how much heat they generate, and anything flammable or that can melt. I've heard horrible stories of things catching on fire from the hot lights. Also make sure the lights are very secure, worst thing to happen is to have a model get burned or hit from a falling light. Apr 06 07 11:45 am Link I've used and owned everything and prefer hot lights. There are advantages to each type of photographic lighting, but for me the advantages of hot lights - easy portability, seeing exactly what you get, making the model sweat - outweigh the major advantage of strobe - color fidelity. Cost isn't an issue - these days hot lights give me what I want. -Don Apr 06 07 11:46 am Link I use what ever is appropriate for what I'm shooting. Ambient, fluorescent, Incandescent, strobe..... Whatever it takes for the project. Materials and tools are just a choice. It's only the wrong tool if it does not do what you need. Apr 06 07 11:47 am Link UIPHOTOS wrote: Well, I have two different kits. One is Smith Vector with 500w and 250w and the other is ones I've rigged from Home Depot, with 250w. The brands of bulbs are different (I can't remember what they are) but you can definately see the difference in their color and others can too. haha. Apr 06 07 11:47 am Link UIPHOTOS wrote:
Apr 06 07 11:50 am Link I spent a year and a half using only hot lights. I loved them. The only real downfall for me was some models could not hold a pose and many of the photos were slightly blurry (my hot lights were not that strong). I'm glad I used them for so long, it really taught me how to see light. Make great pictures and the lighting equipment doesn't matter. Apr 06 07 11:50 am Link Perfect Red Photography wrote: If you think that's bad try shooting through parachute fabric panels instead of a softbox. Apr 06 07 11:51 am Link I use both strobes and hot lights in the same shot quite often. I use the hotlights to light by background of as a fill. As mentioned before... whatever is needed for the shot. Apr 06 07 11:55 am Link KM von Seidl wrote: And we wonder why Ansel Adams shot landscapes. Apr 06 07 11:56 am Link using hot light gave me experience in light positioning. Apr 06 07 11:57 am Link I love hots.. i still use them ,the pic in my avi was shot with 2 floods ,250 watt blue light bulbs. Apr 06 07 12:04 pm Link Why would it be "wrong" ?? Movies are shot with hot lights... lots of photographer's use them. Light is light. Just make sure you have enough amperage to power them.. otherwise you'll be blowing fuses. :-) Apr 06 07 12:07 pm Link Michael Pandolfo wrote: That is what I'm talkin' about! It makes me wanna cut someone! haha Apr 06 07 12:09 pm Link Apr 06 07 12:12 pm Link I like my models cooked at an even watt of 500 bulbs. Then use 250 for browning. And don't forget to write down your use time or they will blow-up. Oh, I'm sorry! I thought the post was "How to cook a model." j/k Apr 06 07 12:19 pm Link You guys rock. Books and tutorials often fail to mention what you guys are telling me. Experimenting is good, but sometimes I wanna know why things turn out the way they do, rather then just trial and error. haha. Apr 06 07 12:21 pm Link Shyly wrote: Ditto. Hotlights are totally fine. Any model who would hold hotlights against you...well...I'd be hesitant to call her a model. Apr 06 07 12:22 pm Link Edw wrote: I ususally just poke them with a fork and say, "You're done." Apr 06 07 12:22 pm Link I have that B&H kit. I also have two fresnel lights, one 500w and the other 1000w. I use a large format view camera so I need to see in order to focus. I always tell models not to look at the light. I also make sure that the lights are plugged into outlets on different circuits. Apr 06 07 12:26 pm Link Hot lights kick ass. I especially like using them in the winter. Really gets the room nice and comfortable for the models. And you can see the light. It is really easy to set up a fairly intricate light scheme and then carve it down to what you want. Place the model in and fine tune it and you have great light. As mentioned, custom white balance, and make sure that the lights are all similar due to differences in spectrum. When I first started learning, I built softboxes out of cardboard boxes with plastic film across them, powered by flourescent twist lights like you would use in a flood lamp outside. Darned effective for one model work up close. Looked horrible. And probably some of the best pictures I have taken as yet. I have since moved on to bigger and, well bigger atleast. I miss my halogen days. I think I will have to break them out again soon. Apr 06 07 12:29 pm Link VonJake-O Foto wrote: Don't go into the light! Stay away from the light!!!! Apr 06 07 12:30 pm Link I learned on hotlights. Most everyone I know learned on hot lights. If you really learn on them right, it can be the best foundation there is. The advantage is that hot lights are very what you see is what you get. But if you have strobes you should learn them as well. Set up a simple still life and light it with your hot lights and get a shot you're happy with. Then duplicate it with strobes. Over time you will be as comfortable with one as you are with the other. Apr 06 07 12:31 pm Link I regularly use Photogenic's Mini Spots. Sure, I have a whole set of studio strobes but sometimes I just prefer the look of the Mini Spots. Apr 06 07 12:40 pm Link Chris Macan wrote: Same thoughts here. Apr 06 07 12:45 pm Link Hot lights are hot! They are great for static products. Also, I think they may not have enough power compared to strobes; longer shutter speeds for hot lights. I prefer strobes for people photography. But, you cannot tell how the lights shine on your subjects until you look at the Polaroid. Oh, I forgot, most people shoot digital now a day! Apr 06 07 01:33 pm Link I started with Foto flood lights and regular bulbs. Then moved to Smith Victor silver bells with Lexan covers. Then went to Interfit halogens with soft boxes. Then I made the jump to Strobes. The learning curve was good as I saw what the modifiers do to the light. If I could have done it over I just would have taken a class in lighting and not been so damn scared. It is quicker to be taught than to learn on your own. But learnig on your own allows you to develop in a way that no one else can. It helps shape your individual style. -S Apr 06 07 01:35 pm Link Bao Ha wrote: I shoot digital as well as film. Although, I do prefer film over digital. Apr 06 07 01:38 pm Link Perfect Red Photography wrote: It's a matter of likeness and how comfortable you feel working with them. It also depends how do you handle that light with your camera and lenses. Great photos are not restricted a light condition but your habilities behind it. Apr 06 07 01:39 pm Link |
