I am converting one of my rooms into a dedicated editing and colorist suite. I am looking to install overhead recessed or track lighting to illuminate my editing desk. What kind of lights are recommended? Are there any guides that can help with designing a room for editing/colorists?
Are you just using a monitor
Are you just using a monitor or projecting or possibly both? I've heard a lot of different theories on the matter but surrounding myself with grey and having dimable lighting has worked well for me. I also use a dimable lighted keyboard so I can adjust to what ever I need. I don't use lamps or overhead lighting as it casts a light color between me and the monitor that reflects even some on a matte screen. I use daylight temp lights but dim them quite a bit.
The first rule is neutral
The first rule is neutral grey walls and furniture. Even a hint of color will affect your color perception. As for lighting, I prefer indirect tungsten lighting with the fixtures totally out of your field of vision.
Brian Collins
Atomic Pictures Inc
Birmingham, AL
www.atomicpix.com
I am using LCD monitors for
I am using LCD monitors for editing and an older CRT broadcast monitor that is calibrated. I plan to purchase a good plasma for reference. I wish I could get a Flanders scientific, but that is out of my budget. I am planning to paint the walls neutral gray 18%. Found someone selling leftover ecinema paint. Just need to decide on some lighting. You dont find the tungsten color too warm? How do you adjust to D65? Usually tungsten color tends to turn even warmer, when you dim them.
"Usually tungsten color tends
"Usually tungsten color tends to turn even warmer, when you dim them"
That's what I found. My bulbs are 5500k and when I dim them I don't get the warmth.
I thought it was better to
I thought it was better to match the ambient lighting to your displays color temperature? Since my monitors are calibrated to 6500k, wouldnt daylight bulbs with a high CRI be best? Or does it not really matter, as long as you have grey neutral walls.
Personally I like tungsten
Personally I like tungsten task lighting and every shop I've worked in has had them. Yeah, you're right, they are warmer than the temp of the screen that's all I've ever run into through the years.
Don't dim - use lower wattage bulbs to avoid color temperature shifts. It takes a bit of playing around to find the right wattage that matches your working style. Install a second set of work lights for when you're setting up, cleaning up, etc.
Brian Collins
Atomic Pictures Inc
Birmingham, AL
www.atomicpix.com
Is this a typical suite in
Is this a typical suite in the industry for color grading? The lighting used here doesnt seem to be following the SMPTE RP166 document for D65 lighting. Those look like regular incadescent flood lights.
Was the tungsten lighting,
Was the tungsten lighting, wall sconces or desk lamps? Any thoughts on bias lighting, placed behind editing monitors? Like the ideal-lume lights that are marketed as D65/6500K?
My guess is that the sconces
My guess is that the sconces are work lights cranked up to take the picture. Looks like a room created more for client impact than adhearance to a SMPTE document that few people ever have read. ;)
Brian Collins
Atomic Pictures Inc
Birmingham, AL
www.atomicpix.com
So very few production houses
So very few production houses and colorist suites adheare to the specs? They just use regular incadescent/Tungsten lights or whatever they want? Just make sure the monitor is calibrated? The home builder stores in my area do not have any lights that are rated CRI 90+ at 6500k temp. What would be the downside of using LED or Halogen that is dimmed and rated at 3000k 84 CRI?
Make the room comfortable and
Make the room comfortable and attractive but more important make sure your work is great. That really is the first priority.
I've worked on the design of control rooms and remote trucks for a cable network, designed and built a bunch of edit suites, edited thousands of spots and honestly, I've never read a SMPTE guidebook. I'm not saying you shouldn't but you will not have a client come to you or leave you because of your lightbulbs. I'd stick with minimal illumination that is consistant color temp. Keep it away from your montior to avoid contaminating your color field. Personally I like incadescent since that's all I've ever seen but I'm sure there are other solutions that will work.
Brian Collins
Atomic Pictures Inc
Birmingham, AL
www.atomicpix.com
Thank you very much for your
Thank you very much for your insight. I appreciate it.