Is there a "best type of lighting" to edit under?

Rocketman766Rocketman766 Registered Users Posts: 332 Major grins
edited January 23, 2011 in Finishing School
I am looking to turn a portion of my basement into my little office area soon. I have the opportunity to put just about what ever kind of lighting I want in there. Is there a best option for the type of lighting to edit photos under? I will say that the ceiling is very low in the basement.. only 6'2" high. So I don't have really high ceiling to work with. There is only 1 window in that portion of the basement, which I can block out easily, so all of my light will be from my source of choice. Is this even something I should be worried about? I know that not everyone will view the prints in the same lighting that I will have... thanks for any help.

Lance.

Comments

  • arodneyarodney Registered Users Posts: 2,005 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2011
    Check out Solux.net.
    Andrew Rodney
    Author "Color Management for Photographers"
    http://www.digitaldog.net/
  • BradfordBennBradfordBenn Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2011
    You just gave me a really good idea for the basement editing to be consistent lighting. Thanks!
    -=Bradford

    Pictures | Website | Blog | Twitter | Contact
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2011
    Look at:

    PHILIPS TL 950 - T8, 5000 Kelvin, 98 CRI Full Spectrum Fluorescent Lamps
    The Philips TL 950 Full Spectrum fluorescent lights offer unmatched Coloring Rendering in T8 Fluorescent Technology!!! The Philipus TL950 series is a very high CRI lamp which is available in 24, 36 and 48 inch sizes. Its low color temperature combined with a high CRI translate to a longer acceptable life.
    Full Spectrum Fluorescent Lamps, particular the philips TL 950s Are Ideal for ..
    • High- End Retail Shops
    • Hotel Ballrooms and Restrooms
    • Museums and Art Galleries
    • Graphic Arts
    • Photography Studios
    • Avicultural Lamps
    The Philips F32T8 TL950 Full Spectrum Fluorescent Bulbs and Lamps Feature:
    • The philips TL950 Full Spectrum Fluorescent Bulbs are Perfect for Color Critical Applications

      Provides distortion-free fluorescent lighting
    • 5000 Kelvin at 98 CRI
    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
  • arodneyarodney Registered Users Posts: 2,005 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2011
    Don’t get too caught up with high CRI values! They were designed primarily to make Fluorescent bulbs appear better than they are. A high CRI is a decent gauge of how well a light will preform in your home but not such a great indicator of how well it will work for photography and proofing. Both a Solux 48 and a "full spectrum" tube from home depot may have a CRI of 97. I can assure you the Home Depot bulb has a giant mercury spike and some spectral dead spots.
    Andrew Rodney
    Author "Color Management for Photographers"
    http://www.digitaldog.net/
  • Rocketman766Rocketman766 Registered Users Posts: 332 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2011
    Thanks for all the help here... it is appreciated. Now the hard part... building the "office".
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2011
    arodney wrote: »
    Don’t get too caught up with high CRI values! They were designed primarily to make Fluorescent bulbs appear better than they are. A high CRI is a decent gauge of how well a light will preform in your home but not such a great indicator of how well it will work for photography and proofing. Both a Solux 48 and a "full spectrum" tube from home depot may have a CRI of 97. I can assure you the Home Depot bulb has a giant mercury spike and some spectral dead spots.

    Do some research on The Philips F32T8 TL950 . This is not a Home Depot tube, and it's not $1.99 but you can put them in Home Depot housings. :D

    While you are certainly free to choose any lighting you wish, don't dicount The Philips F32T8 TL950 without some research.

    I have 7 two tube housings housings     in my studio, printing room. Every other alternative I researched for an entire room was cost prohibitive for me.

    You can find The Philips F32T8 TL950 online from about $7.00 to $26.00 for a 48" length.

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
  • arodneyarodney Registered Users Posts: 2,005 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2011
    Sam wrote: »
    Do some research on The Philips F32T8 TL950 . This is not a Home Depot tube, and it's not $1.99 but you can put them in Home Depot housings. :D

    But there’s still a very spiky spectrum, its hardly full spectrum (no Fluorescent is, thanks to the mercury spike). It may be better than a $1.99 Home Depot tube, the point is, CRI is not a good indicator of light quality and its not going to be producing the same quality as a true, full spectrum illuminant like Solux.

    The SPD of a Fluorescent and Solux tell the story (see figure 1 here: http://www.ppmag.com/reviews/200604_rodneycm.pdf)

    Papers with high OBAs can be negatively influenced (produce a magenta color cast) due to the spikes in the spectrum. High OBAs should be avoided. But the same could be said of illuminants with spiky spectrums.
    Andrew Rodney
    Author "Color Management for Photographers"
    http://www.digitaldog.net/
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2011
    arodney wrote: »
    But there’s still a very spiky spectrum, its hardly full spectrum (no Fluorescent is, thanks to the mercury spike). It may be better than a $1.99 Home Depot tube, the point is, CRI is not a good indicator of light quality and its not going to be producing the same quality as a true, full spectrum illuminant like Solux.

    The SPD of a Fluorescent and Solux tell the story (see figure 1 here: http://www.ppmag.com/reviews/200604_rodneycm.pdf)

    Papers with high OBAs can be negatively influenced (produce a magenta color cast) due to the spikes in the spectrum. High OBAs should be avoided. But the same could be said of illuminants with spiky spectrums.

    I agree that the Soleux is technically superior, but all solutions are a compromise. I believe for my use the Solux was too costly and more difficult to install for an entire 14 X 17 room. Plus at 32 watts per bulb versus 100 watts per bulb it's more cost effective.

    If you are looking at a small say 4 X 8 viewing area, or spot illumination for an individual art / photo on the wall, I think Solux could be a great solution.

    These are just my thoughts.

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
  • AnthonyAnthony Registered Users Posts: 149 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2011
    I recently purchased a GrafiLite (around £50 - $70). Whilst it is not as complete a solution as a Solux refit, it has improved my print viewing substantially.

    Anthony.
Sign In or Register to comment.