Lighting for framed art/photos

mikeb_z5 · Jul 11, 2005

I will be finishing my basement soon. 1/2 will be dedicated to the darkroom. The other half to an office/gallery area.

I am planning on installing additional lighting for my framed photos. I was looking at these fixtures as possibilities:

http://www.pegasusassociates.com/MonorailLightChiDeco.jsp#
http://www.pegasusassociates.com/MiniMR16FixturePNM249.jsp
http://www.pegasusassociates.com/MiniMR11FixturePNM245.jsp#

I am thinking the track lighting would be the way to go for versatility.
I am unsure as to the type(mr11 or mr16) of bulb or wattage I should go with.

What do you use? any better ideas?

btw the largest frame I would have is 16x20.

Thanks for your replies!

Mike

Bighead · Jul 11, 2005

I'm doing pretty much the same with my basement.... I am leaving the office / gallery area pretty unfinished... I have built half walls with a shelf all the way around and am painting the remaining concrete walls and lined the half wall with sheet metal. No ceiling, just painting the ceiling (joists) black... Kind of the industrial look.

Because of that, I went with 10 inexpensive, clamp, shop lights..Small ones with a 5 or 6 inch stainless dome... They all plug into one switch that turns them all on... I can adjust them at anytime and they look kind of cool, for my needs anyway.. I think it looks just like track lighting, without the frills.

Ian Grant · Jul 11, 2005

Definately not those recessed lights you link to !!!!!!!!!!!

Go for the tracking, I'm thinking of changing my front room / dining room where I only hang work by other photographers. Currently I have a 3 spotlight cluster but would like greater control, remembering it is a living room not just a gallery, however there are 8 prints to light.

Ian

jimgalli · Jul 11, 2005

My daughter turned me on to a great little light system marketed by Ikea. Low Voltage and you basically stretch 2 multi strand #10 wires taut across the ceiling and clamp the projection lamps on anywhere in between. It was about $65 if I recall. Looks excellent on our 16' photo wall.

noseoil · Jul 11, 2005

Remember to use a 30 degree angle for the lighting effect. If you use this angle, there will be no reflections or glare from the glass and your prints will look as if they have nothing in front of them. tim

Ian Grant · Jul 12, 2005

Thanks Jim

Those are the lights I need, I have an Ikea half an hours drive from me. Had been looking elsewhere Ikea's a little pricey. Problem is you alway come out with far more than you intended as well

Ian

jimgalli · Jul 12, 2005

Ian Grant said:
Thanks Jim

Those are the lights I need, I have an Ikea half an hours drive from me. Had been looking elsewhere Ikea's a little pricey. Problem is you alway come out with far more than you intended as well

Ian

Ian, Tell your wife you're going bowling. If you're wife goes into Ikea you'll come out with half a years projects to perform and you'll be broke

mikeb_z5 · Jul 12, 2005

LOL Jim,

Thanks for the tips guys! The Ikea Lights do look nice as well as very affordable

Mike

Ian Grant · Jul 13, 2005

LMAO Jim

If I ever get married I'll keep away from Ikea

Checked out the Ikea lighting and its great value for money. But the problem is the tranformer. Most can only use up to 4 lamps.

Will check out a trade supplier I know who specialise in lighting for retail and commercial outlets as I'd like more versatility.

Ian

jimgalli · Jul 13, 2005

Ian Grant said:
Checked out the Ikea lighting and its great value for money. But the problem is the tranformer. Most can only use up to 4 lamps.

Ian

I thought about that too. We only use the 4 lamps on our 16' wall but my solution (being also a toy train enthusiast) would have been a Lionel train xfmr. In the 1940's it was nothing for those to produce 200 watts. And the variable voltage would work as a dimmer if you wanted it.

Lighting for framed art/photos

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