Home studio
Aug 3, 2012 19:25:39 #
Jared
Loc: Indiana
I am using a homemade home studio and I have a lot of yellow ambient light. I was wondering how I could get rid of it. I have tried all my white balances but that hasn't fixed it, it has slightly improved it but that's all. The yellow lights make my pictures all have a serious orange to them. Would I absolutely have to change the light bulbs to white lights? I can not just turn them off because my studio light set up is not strong enough to properly photograph my subjects. Any tips or help is appreciated.
-Jared
-Jared
Aug 3, 2012 19:52:00 #
It may be useful for the pros if you post a shot of your workspace or perhaps one of the photos you are trying to correct for white balance.
Aug 3, 2012 21:15:09 #
Get some daylight spiral florescent replacement thingys, for your room lights. I did, that cured the mello-yello's.
If you have a Lowes hardware nearby, they carry both 60 and 100 watt sizes - get the 100's.
Be sure you get the actual daylight, 5000 Kelvin ones.
If you have a Lowes hardware nearby, they carry both 60 and 100 watt sizes - get the 100's.
Be sure you get the actual daylight, 5000 Kelvin ones.
Aug 3, 2012 21:33:37 #
Jared:
You didn't specify your camera, but almost all DSLR's and quite a few "bridge" cameras allow you to adjust your "white-balance" (check your camera manual) to suit your lighting. Typically, you'll lay down a sheet of white paper, or special WB device, with your studio lighting on and adjust your WB to that. The idea about the CFL lights is a good one, though not necessary.
Sounds like you're at a good point to start noticing that different light sources have different characteristics. Sometimes different colors that we don't usually notice in day-to-day life, sometimes softer lighting, and sometimes harsher. Now that you're being more aware of that, your learning process will proceed.
Eyes wide open, buddy, full speed ahead!
You didn't specify your camera, but almost all DSLR's and quite a few "bridge" cameras allow you to adjust your "white-balance" (check your camera manual) to suit your lighting. Typically, you'll lay down a sheet of white paper, or special WB device, with your studio lighting on and adjust your WB to that. The idea about the CFL lights is a good one, though not necessary.
Sounds like you're at a good point to start noticing that different light sources have different characteristics. Sometimes different colors that we don't usually notice in day-to-day life, sometimes softer lighting, and sometimes harsher. Now that you're being more aware of that, your learning process will proceed.
Eyes wide open, buddy, full speed ahead!
Aug 4, 2012 05:59:46 #
Agreed a custom wb is required and more accurate than the wb modes. You tell the camera what white is no matter what lighting conditions.
Aug 4, 2012 12:35:51 #
His problem though!, if you paid attention to the post. Is not so much white balancing, as it is mixed light sources.
He says his studio lights are not bright enough, without the room lighting. #1 Studio lights are daylight balanced. #2 Incandescent home lighting is not @ 3500k, its to warm. #3 It is very difficult, if not impossible, to balance mixed light sources. The best solution, is to balance your light sources. Change! the room lamps.
He says his studio lights are not bright enough, without the room lighting. #1 Studio lights are daylight balanced. #2 Incandescent home lighting is not @ 3500k, its to warm. #3 It is very difficult, if not impossible, to balance mixed light sources. The best solution, is to balance your light sources. Change! the room lamps.
Aug 4, 2012 12:49:06 #
mtnredhed
Loc: The part of NorCal that doesn't move
The other issue you may be having is mixed light sources. Incandescent (non halogen) are very warm (orange), halogen a bit less. Fluorescents can be all over the map. Warm, cool, very cool. Look for something called the "CRI" rating (color rendering index). Higher is better, and then just use the same bulb everywhere. Shoot a neutral target and use that for your color correction in post.
Aug 4, 2012 13:22:03 #
myts10
Loc: SE Ohio
I had the same problem with the Community Room here in my apartment building. It's about 60 by 30 with a 30 foot celling. Would be great except it is lit with CFL U-tube bulbs. No amount of WB correcting will get rid of that orange cast. And I use an 18% WhiBal Card.
I turned out all the room lights. Replaced the bulbs in 2 table lamps with 5000K bulbs. Than set up my light stand and lights, Reflectors and anything I could think of to get the max amount of light on the subject. I was doing portraits at the time. I used a reflector by the double door windows to reflect some natural light and two white foam boards next to a table lamp to reflect light. Most turned out OK, but I hate that room.
This was too much work for just one or two portraits. I was able to set up Thursday night and shoot Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Being able to leave it set up for three days is the only reason I used that room.
I hope a few of my ideas will help, You could also get one of those cheap floor lamps to add some ambient light to the room area. Good luck. Gary
I turned out all the room lights. Replaced the bulbs in 2 table lamps with 5000K bulbs. Than set up my light stand and lights, Reflectors and anything I could think of to get the max amount of light on the subject. I was doing portraits at the time. I used a reflector by the double door windows to reflect some natural light and two white foam boards next to a table lamp to reflect light. Most turned out OK, but I hate that room.
This was too much work for just one or two portraits. I was able to set up Thursday night and shoot Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Being able to leave it set up for three days is the only reason I used that room.
I hope a few of my ideas will help, You could also get one of those cheap floor lamps to add some ambient light to the room area. Good luck. Gary
Aug 4, 2012 13:37:19 #
steve40 wrote:
His problem though!, if you paid attention to the post. Is not so much white balancing, as it is mixed light sources.
He says his studio lights are not bright enough, without the room lighting. #1 Studio lights are daylight balanced. #2 Incandescent home lighting is not @ 3500k, its to warm. #3 It is very difficult, if not impossible, to balance mixed light sources. The best solution, is to balance your light sources. Change! the room lamps.
He says his studio lights are not bright enough, without the room lighting. #1 Studio lights are daylight balanced. #2 Incandescent home lighting is not @ 3500k, its to warm. #3 It is very difficult, if not impossible, to balance mixed light sources. The best solution, is to balance your light sources. Change! the room lamps.
I'm Busted! You're absolutely right, Steve, I didn't properly read Jared's question therefore my answer is skewed. My bad.
Thanks, buddy, lesson learned!
Aug 4, 2012 14:35:05 #
Yellow (orange) light, if it cannot be corrected by selecting a tungsten balance in your camera, is a source far below 3200K (the color that a tungsten bar emits at 3,200 degrees Kelvin) which means a weak incandescent source, most likely.
Many cameras allow you to custom select your color balance, and for such situations, I would see if your camera allows this, and start at 2000K and work up toward 3000K.
The professional choice is to simply get a color meter and measure the exact color, which would enable you to determine the filter pack or Kelvin setting you would need.
Now, all that said, you must also determine the intent of your image. Is the tone to be neutral, warm (more red) or cold (more blue.)
All of this is part of the create nature of photography, and for that matter, cinematography (I do both.)
Many cameras allow you to custom select your color balance, and for such situations, I would see if your camera allows this, and start at 2000K and work up toward 3000K.
The professional choice is to simply get a color meter and measure the exact color, which would enable you to determine the filter pack or Kelvin setting you would need.
Now, all that said, you must also determine the intent of your image. Is the tone to be neutral, warm (more red) or cold (more blue.)
All of this is part of the create nature of photography, and for that matter, cinematography (I do both.)
Camera at Tungsten, Studio Strobes (Daylight)
Tungsten Lighting, Camera Set Cooler for warmer effect
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