On Mon, 11 Jan 1999 13:59:34 +0100, Netsett@Netscape.net (NetSet) wrote:

>I want to start a thread on the colour of light and the applicability
>of different alternative light sources. I BEG all you wizards out
>there to join the discussion, since I can only supply the questions -
>no answers!
>
>I read:
>> > The ones that I didn't use the flash came out yellowish though. I have
>> > those energy saving bulbs so I guess those gave the yellowish tint.
>> The yellow/orange is normal with this type of lighting.(incandescent).
>> You will need to use an 80A filter or tungsten film to correct color.
>The light actually HAS that colour, also when we see it normally.
>Only, our brains do such a great job of compensation that we don't
>even notice the shift of colours.

Well, we do somewhat... If you fully correct tungsten
illumination with an 80A, it will look "cold". I prefer
an 80C, which leaves the color pleasantly warm - and it
soaks up less film sensitivity, useful in low light.
(You can also just overexpose color negative materials
by about a stop, and have the printer make the corrections.)

>This being said, does it imply that the human eye could be trained to
>see all light sources as "correct" as long as they contain all the
>basic colours in reasonable proportions?

Yes - even mixed illumination colors look "normal" to us
(daylight, tungsten, and fluorescent all look fine together,
but look normal-bluish, orange, and green on film).

>I know you can buy special neon tubes which have daylight colour
>balance. Has anyone experience with those for photography?

They work, but an FLD filter for mixed daylight and fluorescent,
or a cc30M for all-flourescents works well,
as does just overexposing color negative film a stop
and having the printer compensate the color.

>Or how about those 500W halogone worklight stands you buy at the
>timber store?

Tungsten-type color...

>Are filters always necessary? And are they as good as type 2 film
>(electric light)?

See above, and, for me, full correction of tungsten is
not desireable except when copying.

>Hoping for some interesting response!

I trust this was one...;-)