Fresnel light is the name given to the most familiar type of spotlight in a photographer's workshop: the Fresnel light bulb. This is a small cylindrical fixture that projects a small concentric light from its center. The concentrated light can be directed to any specified area by means of a tiny control on the side of the light. The concentric lightsight has many applications, as we will see.
Although most lights in a studio are either fluorescent or incandescent, Fresnel lighting fixtures use a unique arrangement of elements that produce very focused and very narrow beams. As an artist, you probably already know that light plays a major role in your work. One of the challenges of working with this type of light fixture is to get the focused light beam to illuminate an area large enough to produce an effect. Think of a bowling ball illuminating a grassy yard. You could say that a Fresnel light is similar.
When designing a home studio, there is no obvious place to place the Fresnel light, because it acts like a focus for whatever project you are working on. For example, the ceiling may be a great place to hang a chandelier, but where would you place the Fresnel light if you had one? Actually, it can be placed almost anywhere that has focused light. It is like a miniature spotlight. It focuses light into an area, usually a shelf or a wall, and sometimes into a corner where more dramatic effects are desired.
There are three basic types of Fresnel light bulbs, each of which can be used in single or multiple ways, depending on the application. The main difference between these types of bulbs is their intensity, which is determined by how close the light beam is to the surface it's being focused on. The closer the light is, the higher the intensity of the light, which makes for more brightness and a brighter light.
One of the most common types of Fresnel light fixtures is the light that comes on and goes out very quickly, known as a fast Fresnel. This type of light isn't as intense as the other types and is very economical. Many times companies choose to use a fast-changing Fresnel light, because they can place them wherever they are needed, and they're often able to change the intensity very quickly to adjust for the light being offered. Another advantage to having a fast-changing Fresnel light is that there is little maintenance involved, since they don't have a spring that must be compressed when a pin is pulled back.
In addition to the fast-changing Fresnel light fixture, another type of fixture popular in today's world is the fluorescent light. Fluorescent lights are excellent at providing a lot of light in an extremely concentrated light beam, but the drawback is that they have a high level of heat output and should be used with caution. These fixtures are becoming more popular as fiber optic cables become more widely used in construction and other industries. Some companies use fluorescent lights in their Fresnel light systems to improve brightness without spending extra money on electricity.
Fresnel lighting is found in many different places, including in the military, as well as in airports and other public structures. In some cases, fluorescent lights may even be required in certain situations, where natural lighting would not be adequate. Many new buildings are being constructed with fluorescent lighting systems, because they provide a high level of quality and quantity, while still being cost-effective. This saves companies money on their electric bills, because they don't have to replace old, inefficient fluorescent bulbs with new, costly ones. Even smaller companies find that purchasing these types of Fresnel light systems allows them to cut back on costs and make use of efficient, energy-efficient lighting.
There are many uses for Fresnel lights, whether they're installed as permanent fixtures or as accessories to various other types of lighting systems. Some companies create custom-made, one-of-a-kind original art works using fluorescent light in order to beautify their buildings, providing both illumination and a bit of subtle art. Others have created artwork using fluorescent lights in order to enhance the look of a film set. Whatever a company's particular needs may be, they can rest assured that Fresnel lights are available to match them, providing light that is subtle and calming, without being overbearing or overwhelming.
