Lighting for Video: Compact Fluorescent Lights


If you are looking to buy lights for making videos,  you might want to consider using compact fluorescent lights.


Compact Fluorescent lights (compact flo as they are nicknamed) are becoming popular as the new “green” way to light your home and you can find the bulbs almost everywhere now.  They are also being used in video production and they have several distinct advantages over traditional video lights.

Traditional video lights are usually tungsten halogen.  They get HOTTER than a firecracker.  You can easily burn your fingers on them.  I even burned a hole in the wall once when I bounced the light just a little too close.  Oops.

Compact Fluorescent lights on the other hand do not get hot.  That feature, in and of itself, makes me want to buy some.  Sitting under tungsten halogen lights is so hot as to be dreadfully uncomfortable.  They heat up the entire room FAST.  That leads to having to crank up the air conditioner more IF it is not a noisy one.   If it is a noisy one, then it stays off so you get better sound and everyone just roasts.  No fun!

Compact flo lights also use less electricity.  That’s one of the biggest things that make them a “green alternative.”   Compact fluorescent light bulbs crank out an amazing amount of light for the wattage used compared to other kinds of light bulbs.

The light given off by compact fluorescent is nice, soft and diffused.  Every compact flo light bulb I have ever seen is already diffused for you by the addition of white paint to the inside of the glass.  That does not mean you never need to add supplemental diffusion but right out of the box you have some nice diffusion.

The company Videssence is one of the leading providers of compact fluorescent light fixtures for TV and video production.  They sell both standard ceiling mount lights and portable fixtures.  They also have recessed fixtures for video conferencing rooms. (That is not an affiliate link.)

All-in-all, I think compact fluorescent lights are a fantastic addition to the world of video production equipment.  I bet that guy whose wall I burned a hole in would agree.

Thanks for reading Video Production Tips

Lorraine Grula


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  1. 6 Comment(s)

  2. By Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb on | Reply

    As soon as our kitchen and dining room lights went busted, we went ahead and bought a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb to replace them.

    Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs last blog post..Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

  3. By Internet Video Gal on | Reply

    HI.
    Glad to hear it. Compact florescent bulbs are great in the home. I have them all over my house.
    The bulbs last longer, they stay cool and they use less electricity. Compact florescent bulbs have so many advantages over incandescent or tungsten hallogen. I’ve heard of the tungsten light bulbs getting so hot they catch people curtains on fire.
    Thanks!
    Lorraine

  4. By Michelle on | Reply

    I’m looking forward to the day where these bulbs are the standard!

  5. By Internet Video Gal on | Reply

    Hi Michelle.
    I agree with you. I love compact florescent bulb. I have them all over my house. They have a lot of advantages.
    Thanks for reading Video Production Tips.

    Lorraine

  6. By Ginny on Jan 16, 2010 | Reply

    The CFL bulbs are becoming more common/standard Michelle. I work for Home Depot and the sales reports I see show these bulbs moving out of the store more every month!

  7. By Internet Video Gal on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Ginny.

    That is really good to know. I LOVE CFL bulbs for the home. I have them all over my house. Thanks for the info.
    Lorraine

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