Light Observations

Over the weekend I chose observe environments with low lighting conditions. The first was a bar and grill. There are lamps over every table that shine just enough light to make out the shadowy faces of the customers. All other light by the booths shines in from outside. The lights at the bar are mostly neon beer signs in different shades of blue, green, and red which cast their colorful but limited glow on the faces of the bartenders and whatever drunks are still sitting on the stools. The pool table and some of the area around it are illuminated by a fluorescent lamp that hangs overhead. The karaoke area is only lit by a desk lamp, a computer screen, and TV monitor with a little bit of light spilling from outside.

While I was working on another project on Sunday, I observed the conditions of the projection booth that I was shooting in. The booth was really just a long dimly lit labyrinth that was illuminated some flood bulbs (about one every ten - fifteen feet). There's are about two or three flood above each machine so the projectionist can see what he's doing when he has to thread the projector. These bulbs remain off most of the time to keep excess light from shining through the window and onto the audience. The halogen glow from the projector bulbs filters through the windows and bounces off the glass a little bit barely illuminating the face of whoever is standing next to it. The only other light visible in the place is a lamp at the desk and the exit signs.