Month: July 2019

How Lighting can Affect Colors Seen on TV

Posted on by J3551CA

Everyone has seen a TV broadcast where the colors just didn’t look quite right and wondered if it was time for a new TV. The problem isn’t the TV. It can be the lighting used for the broadcast, their positioning, the camera, or the lighting in homes. A curved screen can distort the light that touches the screen in brightly lit environments.

When the lighting problem originates in the studio, there’s little that viewers can do to create a better viewing situation. One reason colors appear off to audiences is the type of illumination being used. Lighting must be placed properly and focused appropriately so the camera can capture the images correctly and reproduce the color accurately. The filters being used in the studio may not be the right devices for the job.

The second factor that affects broadcasts is the amount of light that’s being emitted. Too much illumination will make images look dull and washed out. Too little light will create unwanted shadowing and make it difficult for the cameras to capture images in true color.

Cameras also impact the way colors appear. All cameras don’t detect color wavelengths in the same way. When professional lighting experts undertake illuminating a specific space, they also pay attention to the cameras being used. If a camera can’t properly detect the specific color, it will result in an estimation of the shade based on a primary color model that also represents shades of gray.

Ultimately, proper lighting techniques that enable cameras to accurately reproduce colors are the responsibility of the lighting director. An experienced lighting professional understands the properties of different types of illumination, where best to position the lights, and even the capabilities of the cameras that will be broadcasting the images.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Changing Studio Lights from Fluorescent to LED

Posted on by J3551CA

People watch programs for story lines and to see their favorite celebrities, but the lighting of that environment is a primary element in all studio broadcasts. Without the proper lighting, the subjects appear too dark or washed out. Improper lighting can change the color spectrum that’s captured by the cameras.

The lighting needs of broadcasts vary widely. Some companies utilize traditional fluorescent light bulbs, while others have opted to use LEDs. There are multiple facets to consider before making any changes. It doesn’t matter whether individuals are working in a broadcast studio or still photographers taking wedding photos, making an informed decision is essential.

Heat

Illumination isn’t the only thing that lights emit. Depending on the number of bulbs, the heat can be intense. Those working under the fluorescent lights can be extremely uncomfortable. Subjects sweat and makeup is ruined. Approximately 90 percent of the energy used by fluorescent lights produces heat. The other 10 percent produces illumination. Fluorescent lights are hot when in operation. LEDs remain cool to the touch through heat dissipation management and fewer lights are required to light the same area.

Eco-Friendly

Fluorescent lights contain toxic chemicals, such as mercury. They’re typically thrown in the trash when they’re no longer operational and that poses a hazard to the environment. LEDs don’t contain those elements and are 100 percent recyclable. An LED has a longer life span than a fluorescent and provides savings of approximately 25 percent through the use of less material and production costs.

Durability and Versatility

LED lights are stable and able to withstand vibrations, shocks and impacts. They perform in wind, rain and snow. Fluorescents can easily be damaged when bumped and are limited to indoor usage. LED lights can be used even in low voltage situations to produce the requisite amount of illumination, thereby preventing broadcast interruptions.

Informed Decisions

Studio work is comprised of closer range shots whether it’s in a photographic or broadcast studio. Making informed decisions about the type of illumination is essential. Companies must weigh the pros and cons of cost, heat management, and the impact on the environment.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Makeup and Set Lighting

Posted on by J3551CA

The right makeup techniques combined with set lighting can make all the difference in the world in how someone on camera is perceived. It’s one of the reasons why certain makeup artists are in such high demand. They have the knowledge, experience and expertise to know the type of makeup techniques that will best fit their subject in conjunction with the lighting being used.

Makeup professionals for TV and film do far more than enhance a celebrity’s appearance. They have a unique understanding of how different skin colors will look under specific types of lighting. The type of illumination that will be used on a set helps determine the colors and amount of makeup that will be used on each individual actor. Makeup artists work closely with directors, production designers and lighting specialists to achieve the desired look for everyone in front of the camera.

Many celebrities would be unrecognizable on the street. The appearance they present on camera is due to skillful lighting and talented makeup artists. All illumination methods aren’t created equal and neither are cameras. Certain types of lighting can make flaws more apparent or create unwanted skin coloration. Cameras can experience difficulty in detecting colors accurately.

As new lighting options have improved, the role of a makeup artist on-set or in the studio has become even more critical. The advent of high-definition TV has further increased the need for highly-talented makeup artists, since the skin’s every pore has the potential to be on display. The makeup used must make the subject look natural and enhance their physical attributes within the framework of the lights and camera.

Lighting specialists and makeup artists are two of the unsung heroes of TV and film production. They have the same goal, to show subjects in the best possible way. One accomplishes that through their lighting techniques, the other through the application of complementary makeup.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Vegas Lighting Magic

Posted on by J3551CA

The Fremont Street Light Show in Las Vegas is a feast for the senses and a technological masterpiece. Over 22 million people visit the city each year to experience the sight. It’s composed of more than 12.5 million LED lights creating high-resolution images set to concert-quality sound of famous musicians. Best of all, the light and sound show is absolutely free.

The extraordinary, hour-long displays run throughout the evening in June, July and August across seven blocks. The event is a cooperative effort by hotel and casino owners. Construction for the extravaganza began with a $70 million budget in 1994 and was completed in 1995, but the location of the festivities has a much older history. The original concept for the event was a sky parade that eventually evolved into its current incarnation.

When Las Vegas was founded as a city in 1905, Fremont Street was the community’s first paved road. It’s only fitting that the light show would be designed around the historic street. In addition to the millions of lights, the event also has the largest video screen in the world measuring 1,500 long and 90 feet wide that are suspended above the mall below.

It’s an engineering feat of epic proportions and the Freemont Street Light Show is also home to the SlotZilla zip line. The original show utilized light bulbs that could display a full-color spectrum all housed under canopy constructed overhead.

In 2004, the expensive and traditional incandescent light bulbs were converted to LEDs that are less expensive to operate, more eco-friendly, and enabled an expanded range of color combinations. The LED lights provided a display that’s seven times brighter and more vibrant. The show is still held under a permanently constructed canopy, providing an immersive experience.

The Fremont Street Light Show required innovative technology to make images appear real, the syncing of music, and coordination of individual lights. It’s now all tied into a central control unit that enables pinpoint accuracy. The technology and innovative techniques behind the massive display are impressive and a testament to the creativity of professional lighting experts. For people around the globe, it’s become one of the essential must-see wonders of Las Vegas.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.