Although LED technology has revolutionized lighting in different industries, such as entertainment and public lighting, but for television production solutions are just beginning to emerge.
Eddie Reynolds*
Few elements are as important in the TV production industry as lighting. Without the use of various light sources it is practically impossible to create atmospheres, special effects, highlights and the development of programs in general.
Taking into account the above, it is not a surprise that special importance should be given to this factor, not only from the technical point of view (which concerns the location and uses of the different light sources to highlight or hide details, generation of atmospheres or environments) but also technological (which is related more to the use of the equipment indicated for the specific situations in which you are going to work), in order to offer optimal results and a high quality product (program).
Precisely one of those technical advances that would be worth taking into account, given the versatility incurred by television productions today, is the white lighting of LED (or light-emitting diodes), which have been used so successfully in different industries thanks to advantages such as their low energy consumption, lighting power and durability, among others.
Some of the industries that have already been using this lighting model are that of shows and entertainment, although applications have also begun to be seen in public lighting and electronic security (to illuminate protected areas at night, when cameras need a high power of light to be able to capture images in color and good resolution).
The present note will briefly mention the advantages of using LED lighting in television production studios.
Optimal lighting for the indicated project
The television industry changes rapidly, all with the aim of giving the viewer new and different elements to the typical studio format, in which the protagonists fit a script written for novels or news broadcast programs.
The strength of reality shows, as the opposite of dramas and fictional programs, is an example of the above that is confirmed by high ratings, to the point that the masses end up obsessing over the results and what happens in these transmissions.
Since many of these productions are recorded outdoors and require night shots (the Survivor program is an example, in which a group of young people are sent to compete in the jungle in the middle of the most inhospitable landscapes), the lighting that is used has to guarantee an optimal presentation of reality, since the objective is to give viewers a unique degree of detail that allows them to get involved and enjoy or suffer with the participants.
To achieve the above, LED lighting is a very good option. Here you can take elements of other industries such as electronic security, where operators must be able to observe night exterior images with a very high degree of quality, because if they do not do so not only material goods, but also people, could be at risk.
One of the manufacturers that has been developing solutions for both sectors is Iluminar Inc, which through its visible line of white light LED illuminators is offering equipment that can guarantee a complete sharpness of color images in night conditions, an element capable of providing unique experiences for the TV viewer. From the technical point of view, a high lighting power allows the capture of optimal images for transmission, because with diffused light sources (more recommended for indoor shots) the image may not have adequate exposure.
LED lighting to reduce costs
Although the general perception is that LED lighting systems are not yet sufficiently developed for work in outdoor TV production, the truth is that in the near future these solutions will be positioned in the market thanks to advantages such as their durability and operational efficiency, but also to the low costs they entail compared to other lighting sources such as fluorescents.
It is important to consider that with the light currently used in TV production, camera personnel must use different filters for different times of the day, which increases costs and increases the amount of material to be transported.
The technology that the company Iluminar is using in its products allows them to operate 24 hours a day, creating an optimal natural light environment for production.
*Works for Iluminar Inc.
