Brief Scenes

I have seen a lot of adds for Photography Studio Fluorescent Lighting Kits. How do these compare with strobes?

I have read several reviews stating that they are outstanding. I have always used natural light but moved to utah and now have to shoot indoors? Has anyone used both and if so what do you recommend ?

One problem with fluorescent lights is that if you’re using more than one light you can have a difference in light temp. Even with two identical bulbs from the same manufacturer. As fluorescent bulbs age the color temp changes as well. Generally they are close enough that it won’t cause big problems with color cast but it’s a possibility. Makes nailing down WB a little more work.
Another problem, at least for the model, arises when you don’t use a modifier. The constant light can result in an unintentional squint from your subject.
And one more. If you have too much or to little light from a strobe you can adjust the output without moving the lights to gain or lose light. With constant lights you have to either 1)modify the light source, 2)move the light source (if you have the room but you should know that the apparent size of the light changes the quality and the distance effects fall off) or 3)adjust your shutter speed to change the amount of ambient you’re capturing.
They are a cost effective light source but usually for a little more money you can get a set of inexpensive low power strobes that work fine for indoor solo or very small group portraits.
One advantage to using a constant light source is that you can see before taking a photo exactly what kind of light you have and adjust it to your liking.
Not sure if you can tell but I’m a fan of strobes. Clean, consistent and easily controlled light.

Video / Photography Lighting Kit Giveaway Contest

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