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Steve Craighead · 11-10-2006, 12:10 PM

Michele,
Years ago I used White Lighting strobes, but got tried of the lack of color nuance. Since then I've always preferred using natural lighting, even to the point of dragging around a host of reflectors and light stands.
Recently, I've been pushing a head and shoulder pastel (I've really missed the immediacy of completing a portrait on location) and I've gotten more adults to sit for me for oils. I needed a constant light source. I just didn't like my Smith & Victor hot light. The problem being the heat and the 3200 K. I jury-rigged a fixture to hold 3 compact fluorescent bulbs in my Photogenic softbox. The compacts have a CRI of 93+ and are 5000 K. They're cool temperature wise and bright. I like the effect. I can work from life and take photos digitally without a problem. I have had a problem traveling with the bulbs though. I've lossed 3 so far to breakage. (TSA insists on taking a part my luggage and not putting everything back carefully!) I've been looking at the fluorescent units on the bhphoto site, (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...rch&Q=&ci=2249) but I'm waiting to see the units in person before I make the plunge. Hope this helps.

11-10-2006, 12:10 PM	#2
Steve Craighead SOG Member Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 91	Michele, Years ago I used White Lighting strobes, but got tried of the lack of color nuance. Since then I've always preferred using natural lighting, even to the point of dragging around a host of reflectors and light stands. Recently, I've been pushing a head and shoulder pastel (I've really missed the immediacy of completing a portrait on location) and I've gotten more adults to sit for me for oils. I needed a constant light source. I just didn't like my Smith & Victor hot light. The problem being the heat and the 3200 K. I jury-rigged a fixture to hold 3 compact fluorescent bulbs in my Photogenic softbox. The compacts have a CRI of 93+ and are 5000 K. They're cool temperature wise and bright. I like the effect. I can work from life and take photos digitally without a problem. I have had a problem traveling with the bulbs though. I've lossed 3 so far to breakage. (TSA insists on taking a part my luggage and not putting everything back carefully!) I've been looking at the fluorescent units on the bhphoto site, (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...rch&Q=&ci=2249) but I'm waiting to see the units in person before I make the plunge. Hope this helps.