In most cases, adding some light will improve the quality of the photograph. But if a flash is too expensive or not functional, continuous lights present you with an effective solution. But the downside is these lights get hot pretty fast. That’s the reason for the nickname “hotlights.” Continuous lights also require AC power or they drain battery juice quickly.
Deciding on the best photography lighting equipment for you can be a challenge, as continuous lights come in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and color temperatures.
Photoflood lights are the most basic type. This inexpensive system uses an incandescent light bulb and reflector.
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quartz light system is the next step up. These incandescent bulbs are much brighter than standard photoflood lamps. An even brighter option is the
HMI (Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide) lights that are used on movie sets. These lights generate significantly more power than quartz lights, but they are very expensive.
The problem with photoflood, quartz, and HMI lights are they get extremely hot during use. We have two other options that are considered “cool lights.” One is the
fluorescent continuous light system. Although this system produces a nasty green glow, it can be offset by using daylight-balanced tubes for delightful flicker-free light. The advantage of this system is its price range can match any budget.
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continuous LED lighting system produces less heat than the other four lighting options. This energy-efficient lighting system remains cool even after use for long periods. The main advantage of this lighting system is that the daylight-hued illumination that LEDs produce looks natural.
Overall, a continuous lighting system can be an effective home-studio lighting choice. If you’re on a budget, you could start with photoflood lamps. But if you’re ready to invest more money on photography lighting equipment, then fluorescent or LED lights would be great.