quick question on dulling spray

if not whats the least expensive solution to reduce the output of say a bulb on a lamp that is being used as a practical
 
dulling spray (which I suspect is just hairspray) only "diffuses" hotspots on shiny surfaces like glass or tv screens. it won't cut light. you need a socket dimmer.

150W%20DIMMER.png
 
Yeah, don't spray anything directly on a bulb, it'll probably burn off and smoke and stink.

A dimmer is an excellent option; just be aware that the more you dim a lamp, the redder the light will get. And you can't dim compact fluorescent lights.

Another way to go is to buy a lower-wattage bulb.

The other option is to wrap some Neutral Density gel around the inside of the lamp shade, if there's a shade. If it's a bare bulb, that's not an option and your choice then is the lower-wattage bulb and/or a dimmer.
 
Barry_Green said:
Yeah, don't spray anything directly on a bulb, it'll probably burn off and smoke and stink.
Click to expand...

I was actually just watching "Location Lighting with Geoff Burton" (http://www.theasc.com/cgibin/store/acsstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=F788) last night and his gaffer talked about spraying something on one side of a practical 100 watt bulb to take it's light output down. They didn't mention exactly what it was, but I don't believe it was dulling spray. BTW, I'm with Barry. Dulling spray is for taking down reflections on items, not knocking down light output.

Matthew
 
I've heard of using streaks n tips to take down one side of a bulb. I've used black barbecue spray before. Just make sure you spray it in a well ventilated area.

I generally just carry a variety of bulbs from 7.5w to 150w and a dimmer and that normally does the trick.
 
Can't dulling spray also put a "mist" on windows and hence taking the output down some? I heard that's how they got the "hand on window" shot in Titanic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top