Fresnel Lighting for Photography

Fresnel Lights

Fresnel lights were originally developed to improve the practicality and output of lighthouse lamps, but they’re used in a variety of applications today. Theatrical productions, movie sets, concerts, and video shoots all take advantage of the unique features found in Fresnel lights to offer impressive lighting output in a compact package.

How Are Fresnel Lights Unique?

Fresnel lights feature a distinctly shaped glass lens to control and amplify a beam of light. They’re made up of concentric circles (or annular steps) rather than a smooth convex lens, which means these lights can intensify and adjust light more effectively than other types of fixtures. 

If you move the Fresnel lens closer or farther away from the light source, you can adjust the output of the light to suit your needs, making these some of the most flexible lights available. 

Move the light closer to the lens, and the Fresnel delivers a wider beam used for a color wash or broader illumination. Move the light farther from the lens, and you can focus the beam into a narrower and more intense shape similar to a spotlight beam.

Things to Consider With Fresnel Lights

Fresnels are common and popular lights for a range of applications, but they do tend to heat up more easily than other styles of light fixtures. Even if you’re using an LED Fresnel, it’s wise to consider how much they’ll heat up your studio or set. Consider investing in light fixtures with internal fans to help dissipate the heat during longer shoots.

Because Fresnel lights produce more heat, they’re best used farther away from your subject. Hang your Fresnels overhead or on boom poles or stands whenever possible.

Using Accessories With Fresnel Lights

Using accessories with Fresnel fixtures is usually a straightforward endeavor. Most Fresnels come with attached barn doors to help photographers, videographers, and theatrical artists better control the shape and direction of light. 

By adjusting the position of barn doors and focusing the beam of light, you can create a large range of lighting looks with a single instrument.

Fresnel Lights from Industry Preferred Brands

Whether you’re outfitting a theater, event space, or film studio, or you’re investing in a couple of multi-use lights, it’s best to buy fixtures from industry-preferred brands. Companies like Altman, ARRI, Dracast, Came-TV, and Mole-Richardson are well known in the live-event and motion-picture industries for their high-quality lighting fixtures.