September 2019 – Frank Gatto and Associates

Managing Heat with LED Lighting

Posted on September 14, 2019 by J3551CA

Economy of operation is one the primary reasons that many industries are installing LED lighting. The technology also has operating temperatures that are below that of traditional methods of illumination, but LEDs still require a heat distribution system to manage thermal output.

LEDs don’t produce heat through infrared radiation, so they remain cool to the touch, but heat is generated within the device itself. The level will depend on whether the light is pulsed, steady, the wattage of the LED units, and junction temperatures.

Heat must be dissipated from LEDs for them to operate at top efficiency. If that energy isn’t siphoned off in some way, they become less reliable, inefficient, and emit less light. The illumination output is higher in cooler environments, making it essential for some type of heat sink or means of dispersing the generated heat.

Most high-quality LED lamps and fixtures are equipped with heat sinks that reduce the build-up of heat. Additional assistance may be required when the lights are used for long periods of time or at maximum output. Altering the housing surrounding the LEDs or adding fins can provide better heat transference away from the lights.

Fans are also convenient for forcing air past the LEDs to dissipate heat, but won’t be feasible for all types of applications. Liquid coolants offer another method of heat distribution and can be placed in fairly close proximity to the lights. When liquid coolants are prohibited due to safety regulations, thermal electric cooling (TEC) can be utilized that allows individuals to precisely control the level of cooling desired.

LEDs offer a variety of benefits over traditional means of illumination, but professionals will still encounter problems with heat distribution. Any materials used to transfer heat away from the lights should be able to move that thermal energy both vertically and horizontally for optimal performance.

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.

Common On-Camera Lighting Mistakes

Posted on September 14, 2019 by J3551CA

There are no do-overs in live broadcasts making proper illumination critical. It enables audiences to see the action and is used to focus attention. It also enhances the mood. Illumination quality is important for a variety of factors ranging from the type of camera being utilized to the intensity of the image being broadcast.

Appropriate on-camera illumination is an art form that requires extensive education and can require years to master. Lighting is an element that’s always present in broadcasts. The trick is to create illumination set-ups that are “invisible” to viewers.

Under Lighting

Insufficient lighting is the most common problem seen in on-camera broadcasts. Typically a mistake made by the inexperienced, it occurs when a light meter isn’t utilized. The problem is that cameras don’t “see” light the same way as the human eye. Trying to correct for insufficient light with the camera increases the noise and graininess of the images and affects the focus.

Harsh Light

Also known as hard light, many novices confuse harsh with bright. Hard light casts unwanted shadows and will make the entire broadcast appear like an amateur production. Bright lighting can be achieved with softer lighting that also works to make subjects look friendlier and approachable. It’s infinitely more flattering to subjects.

Flat Image

A flat image occurs when there’s not enough demarcation between the background and foreground. It’s a snafu that can be extremely difficult for beginners to discern and happens when the subject is too close to the background and there’s no sense of depth. Viewers don’t know where to focus their attention. It can be remedied in a variety of ways using light, color and distance.

Light Temperatures

Balancing warm and cold illumination is important and desirable, but not when it’s casting harsh shadows on one side of the subject. The balancing act is especially difficult in live shots that are taken near windows with sunlight. Viewers will be able to tell there’s something “off,” even if they’re not able to tell exactly why.

Know the Basics

Individuals can alleviate the most common on-camera lighting problems by thoroughly understanding the basics, using a good light meter and practice. Lighting difficulties can be easy to rectify by recognizing their potential before they occur. “Mistakes” can also be used to create special effects for certain types of productions. Practice makes perfect.

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.

What it Takes to Light up a Stadium

Posted on September 13, 2019 by J3551CA

Illuminating a stadium is no easy task and lighting will depend on whether the event takes place during the daylight or nighttime hours. Around the world, those attending activities ranging from concerts to premiere sporting events are seeing a change from the HID lights that have been used for decades to the new, eco-friendly LED light technology that provides an enhanced experience for fans.

Metal Halide

Metal halide lights are a form of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps. For years, metal halide lamps were standard fixtures in stadiums. It’s the type that was used during the Super Bowl Sunday blackout of 2013 that suspended play for over 30 minutes.

The drawback to the light source is that they require a warm-up time that can take 30 minutes. They provide a bright, white light that’s desirable for illumination, but they have a relatively short life span.

Metal halide also has a long cool down time if bulbs have to be changed. When a bulb malfunctions, all the lights automatically go off. Color distortions are also a problem as the bulbs age. HIDs generate UV rays, contain mercury, and they’re expensive to operate.

LED Lights

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) produce the bright, white light required for illuminating large venues at a fraction of the cost of HIDs. The cost savings was the motivating factor for many stadiums to convert to LEDs. They produce light by moving electrons around in a semiconducting material rather than the filament in HIDs.

They have a much longer lifespan than other types of lighting and are ready instantly when illumination is needed. If an LED malfunctions, it doesn’t affect the rest of the bulbs. The bulbs are also less likely to be damaged should they be bumped or jostled. They contain no mercury or similar materials and can be recycled.

Light shows are just one of the benefits that LED lights provide, along with enhanced visibility for those on the field. LEDs can produce multiple colors without the use of expensive filters. A bank of LEDs is much lighter in weight, easier to set up, and can be combined with control boards to produce a wide array of effects at a moment’s notice, making them extremely versatile and beneficial for stadium usage.

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.

Common Lighting Attachments

Posted on September 13, 2019 by J3551CA

Lighting professionals will encounter a variety of commonly used attachments during their work. The sooner that aspiring lighting specialists know what they are and how to use them, the better they can provide the type of specialized illumination they will be called on to perform during their careers. The following are some common attachments used in modern cinematography.

Barn Door

A barn door is a light modifier that’s affixed to the front of theater or studio lights. The hinged doors are similar to old-style barn doors, hence the name. They enable operators to change the shape of the light without affecting the softness or hardness of the light source. Available in a wide variety of sizes, the positioning of the doors will dictate the shape and nature of the illumination.

Flags

These are also utilized to block and control light. They’re used to protect a lens from flare, produce a shadow, control reflections, and reduce contrast. They’re offered in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from a few inches to several square feet to minimize reflected light.

Filters

The translucent or transparent devices are affixed in front of a lens to modify and alter the characteristics of light. They’re also utilized to add colors and special effects. Filters are available as slot-ins and screw in types. They’re particularly effective when working with surfaces such as glass and water that are highly reflective, along with pollution or moisture in the air that can produce glare.

Gels

This is a colored and transparent sheet that changes the color of the light to create a specific mood or to correct for color. They became known as gels since gelatin was used for decades in the manufacturing process. Modern gels are actually a heat-resistant plastic, though colored glass filters are also used as the plastic-type has a limited life span.

Many Tools

The number of tools used to illuminate environments varies widely and any lighting professional will need to know how each can be used to obtain very specific effects. They can make the difference between an average project and an extraordinary one.

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.