room lighting at DVinfo.net

Stefan Jones · June 28th, 2005, 03:15 PM

okay i know that this has nothing to do with cameras or dv, but i have a question, and it does have to do with lighting.

i have a ten by ten room in which i study. The room has a single light fixture centered in the ceiling. The problem is I study against one wall and the light is blocked by my head which creates a shadow on the page. Also my pen creates a shadow and this is tremendously annoying as well.

Since there are lots of lighting experts on here, can anyone suggest some way to get diffused lighting or something so that i don't have so much shadow?

Charles Papert · June 28th, 2005, 03:49 PM

A small table lamp next you sounds like the ticket. A dimmable halogen unit is a nice quality of light and you can dial it up and down depending on your needs.

Mike Teutsch · June 28th, 2005, 06:47 PM

Stefan,

I have to say that as I read your post I found myself laughing out loud. I appoligize, but I had just spent many hours this day setting up a green screen and trying to light it and get usable footage. I think that I failed miserabley, but it's getting better. Your simple needs just kind of grounded me again, brought me back to earth so to speak.

I am sitting here in my living room answering your post, and next to me is a halogen lamp that I bought at Home Depot. It is a floor type lamp and is about six feet tall. It has a two level switch in it, high and low, and it points at the ceiling. All of its light is directed at the ceiling and then comes back down and therefore it does not cast those bad shadows. Home Depot sells these things for about $14.00 to $19.00. Very cheap indeed, but does not cast those bad shadows.

If you can get on one these, it will make it very much easier on you. Keep studying and have fun too man.

Mike

Stefan Jones · June 28th, 2005, 08:19 PM

thanks for the replies guys.

i moved everything around in my room but couldn't solve the problem....tomorrow i'll be at home depot to pick up a lamp....unless its not too late tonight.

take care,

stefan

ps. it's always the easy things that make the most problems.

edit: home depot open till ten...going now

Stefan Jones · June 28th, 2005, 10:34 PM

okay i know nobody really cares but i'm bored...

i went to home depot and picked up the cheapest floor lamp i could find. Six feet tall like Mike said. Then i bought a 150W halogen flood light. Set it all up and it works beautifully...i don't know how i studied before i got this.

thanks for the idea

June 28th, 2005, 03:15 PM	#1
Stefan Jones New Boot Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19	room lighting okay i know that this has nothing to do with cameras or dv, but i have a question, and it does have to do with lighting. i have a ten by ten room in which i study. The room has a single light fixture centered in the ceiling. The problem is I study against one wall and the light is blocked by my head which creates a shadow on the page. Also my pen creates a shadow and this is tremendously annoying as well. Since there are lots of lighting experts on here, can anyone suggest some way to get diffused lighting or something so that i don't have so much shadow?

June 28th, 2005, 03:49 PM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	A small table lamp next you sounds like the ticket. A dimmable halogen unit is a nice quality of light and you can dial it up and down depending on your needs. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

June 28th, 2005, 08:19 PM	#4
Stefan Jones New Boot Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19	thanks for the replies guys. i moved everything around in my room but couldn't solve the problem....tomorrow i'll be at home depot to pick up a lamp....unless its not too late tonight. take care, stefan ps. it's always the easy things that make the most problems. edit: home depot open till ten...going now Last edited by Stefan Jones; June 28th, 2005 at 08:37 PM.

June 28th, 2005, 06:47 PM	#3
Mike Teutsch Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 2,614	Stefan, I have to say that as I read your post I found myself laughing out loud. I appoligize, but I had just spent many hours this day setting up a green screen and trying to light it and get usable footage. I think that I failed miserabley, but it's getting better. Your simple needs just kind of grounded me again, brought me back to earth so to speak. I am sitting here in my living room answering your post, and next to me is a halogen lamp that I bought at Home Depot. It is a floor type lamp and is about six feet tall. It has a two level switch in it, high and low, and it points at the ceiling. All of its light is directed at the ceiling and then comes back down and therefore it does not cast those bad shadows. Home Depot sells these things for about $14.00 to $19.00. Very cheap indeed, but does not cast those bad shadows. If you can get on one these, it will make it very much easier on you. Keep studying and have fun too man. Mike

June 28th, 2005, 10:34 PM	#5
Stefan Jones New Boot Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19	okay i know nobody really cares but i'm bored... i went to home depot and picked up the cheapest floor lamp i could find. Six feet tall like Mike said. Then i bought a 150W halogen flood light. Set it all up and it works beautifully...i don't know how i studied before i got this. thanks for the idea