Fresnel lights vs. open face lights

[David Bigeleisen]

I'm thinking of beginning to work with constant exposure tungsten lights. What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of fresnel lights vs. open face lights?

David

 

[wiltw]

Fresnel focuses light in a way in which they are all highly collimated (parallel beam). As such, the shadows cast by a Fresnel source results in very sharp edged shadows. That can be useful when you do not want much beam spread (.e.g stage light focus on one person) or you want to cast a shadow patter (e.g. using cuculoris). For most portrait shots, that is what do NOT WANT...why softboxes as used instead of openfaced reflector lights. Adjustable parabolic reflectors are desired by some because a single source can be adjusted between parabolic parallel beams or less focused umbrella-like beam.

 

[AZD]

Short answer, more control of the beam, and an approximation of direct sunlight that softer sources cannot produce. One disadvantage is a lot of light can be lost in the tightest beam setting, so a 500W fresnel might seem surprisingly dim sometimes.

There should be lots of information available online and in older books and magazines. If you google “Hollywood Glamour Lighting Fresnel” there’s a lot to read.

 

[btaylor]

Fresnels provide a more even light across the beam and are more controllable. And you're going to be able to easily use scrims and barn doors. But they are heavy, cumbersome and less efficient than open face fixtures which is why the Lowel Light became so popular for docs and small films back in the '70's.
This stuff is so cheap now why not try both?