watts vs brightness
- Thread starter richblend
- Start date
Cool Lights
DVXuser Sponsor
This sounds like something that could get quite a discussion going with lots of different opinions.
Overall, its a bit more complicated than that if you consider it in a practical sense. Yes, in theory 2 500w lights are as bright as 1 1000w. However you could have other issues like the 1000w not being fully at its normal output or a host of other issues. The other issue that comes up is surface area emanating light. With the 1000w you have one big bright point light source which will be fairly hard. In the other instance you have two smaller, 500w point light sources side by side. The light emanating surface is bigger and spread out. Shadows cast may not be as hard or sharp as one fixture by itself. Another issue is the dual 500w will be two beams and probably pointed each in their own direction and thus will not be as strong as the single 1000w. The area covered with the dual 500w will be bigger but not as strong in other words unless the two heads are pointed into the same exact spot.
Overall, its a bit more complicated than that if you consider it in a practical sense. Yes, in theory 2 500w lights are as bright as 1 1000w. However you could have other issues like the 1000w not being fully at its normal output or a host of other issues. The other issue that comes up is surface area emanating light. With the 1000w you have one big bright point light source which will be fairly hard. In the other instance you have two smaller, 500w point light sources side by side. The light emanating surface is bigger and spread out. Shadows cast may not be as hard or sharp as one fixture by itself. Another issue is the dual 500w will be two beams and probably pointed each in their own direction and thus will not be as strong as the single 1000w. The area covered with the dual 500w will be bigger but not as strong in other words unless the two heads are pointed into the same exact spot.
Prodigi Pictures
Carbonite Member
The more sources you use the more shadows you'll have to deal with. A telltale sign of amateur cinematography is multiple shadow sources. It looks awful.
Is there a way to compensate for this? Sure...throw a silk in front of your multiple lights. However, you'll lose a lot of light in the process...which contradicts the reason for multiple sources simulating a single source to begin with.
There are few, if any, shortcuts to quality. If you are passionate about good lighting it is best to bite the bullet and rent big lights, a genie and lots of cable.
Is there a way to compensate for this? Sure...throw a silk in front of your multiple lights. However, you'll lose a lot of light in the process...which contradicts the reason for multiple sources simulating a single source to begin with.
There are few, if any, shortcuts to quality. If you are passionate about good lighting it is best to bite the bullet and rent big lights, a genie and lots of cable.