Fluorescent Lighting for Photography

Fluorescent Lighting

Fluorescent lighting is a great continuous lighting option for both photography and videography. With options in a variety of color temperatures, wattages, and fixture styles, finding the ideal lighting setup is easy.

Fluorescent light fixture types

Fluorescent lights come in a few different fixture configurations. The most common are tube lights, bulb fixtures and banks, reflector lights, and overhead lights. Here’s where and why you would use each one.

1. Tube light fixtures

Tube light fixtures accommodate anywhere from two to eight fluorescent tubes. They create an even wash of light from a fixture with a rectangular frame. You can mount this common option on a light stand, hang it from the ceiling, or operate it from a truss. With plenty of dimmable fixture options, these fluorescent lights are a great choice for applications that require flexibility.

2. Bulb fixtures and banks

Bulb fixtures and light banks accommodate between two and six threaded fluorescent light bulbs. Because they accept a common type of threaded light bulb, they are very convenient. Most bulb fixtures work well with softboxes, umbrellas, and other lighting modifiers, so you’ll have lots of control over the look of your lighting setup.

3. Reflector lights

Reflector lights, also known as safety lights or work lights, feature a threaded fluorescent bulb and a metal reflector dome. They are used for photography and videography, but are also helpful for home projects, workshops, and other practical applications.

4. Overhead lights

Overhead lights are a great choice for lighting large areas for video and photography. They feature multiple threaded fluorescent bulbs within a circular drum shade. They’re a great choice for creating even, diffused light.

Color temperature

Color temperature is an important consideration for your lighting. While you can calibrate your camera equipment to work with lights of any color temperature, it’s important that all the lights you use match each other in color. That saves work in post-processing. Available temperatures range from 3200K to 6000K.

Watt output

Illuminating a single photography model requires less wattage than a full-size studio set with multiple models or performers. Choose from dimmer lights in the 50 to 200 watt range, or more powerful lights in the 250 to 450 watt range. When shopping for replacement bulbs, note the ideal bulb wattage for your current fluorescent light fixtures.

Kits and top brands for easier selection

Choosing a ready-to-go fluorescent lighting kit can save you time and money. Kits are available with single lights, all the way up to four-light setups. Check out featured brands like Flashpoint, Kino Flo, Alzo Digital, Mole-Richardson, and Smith-Vector.

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