Tungsten Lighting?

[dennykyser]

Does anyone use tungsten lighting for portraits? If so what is your setup.

[DaveG]

Does anyone use tungsten lighting for portraits? If so what is your setup.

I don't, and I try to discourage people from using tungsten lighting. The main reason is that they are so dangerous. What if a little kid was to reach up and touch one of these things, or one got knocked over into someone? These things are fires and/or bad burns, waiting to happen. Even when these things work right it's going to heat up your studio and be very unpleasant for your clients.

From a photography perspective the big problem is that they are so weak. Once you use some type of a light modifier - like a fireproof umbrella - you will be amazed at how little light actually gets to your subject!

We had these types of lights at university but other than keeping the Friday afternoon pizza hot (which they did magnificently!) they weren't much use, and they always scared the hell out of me.

[BJClarke001]

dennykyser,

I assume you are in the same boat as I am on looking for information on this subject. Just to let you know and it might be useful information to you. I posted a simular question earlier this week and had some really good responses. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23597 (I hope this link worked) if it didn't work, you can find it on this forum site under Canon EOS digital cameras, and the topic is:

Home Lighting as Studio Lighting for Practice?

Good Luck on seeking the information and everybody has been so helpful.

[andy6527]

I used tungsten lights for a while, but as already been mentioned, they get VERY hot and uncomfortable to work with, and give very little ligh when bounced off an umbrella.

I guess that the main reason for using tungsten is the cost. Does anyone know of a good low cost flash lighting solution. I can't afford the likes of Bowens or Elinchroms.

Andy