is UV lighting different than UV photography?
enquiring minds want to know (well, really just mine).....
Full Version: UV lighting
Hmm. I imagine it would be different. One's setting up the lighting, one's photographing under that lighting. 
OK, smart-aleck remarks aside, I'm not really sure what you're asking. I don't know of any reason for doing UV photography unless you're doing forensics work or working with fluorescent materials. But anyway, if I infer what you're asking, it would be difficult to set up UV lights without just testing exposures and checking your histogram because, ummm, you can't see UV light.
Are you photographing in a club with black lights or something? And what camera would you use to get an exposure under UV light? Actually, there's a version of the Fuji S3 that exposes under UV light, now that I think about it.
Let us know what you're doing with it -- I'd love to know.
OK, smart-aleck remarks aside, I'm not really sure what you're asking. I don't know of any reason for doing UV photography unless you're doing forensics work or working with fluorescent materials. But anyway, if I infer what you're asking, it would be difficult to set up UV lights without just testing exposures and checking your histogram because, ummm, you can't see UV light.
Are you photographing in a club with black lights or something? And what camera would you use to get an exposure under UV light? Actually, there's a version of the Fuji S3 that exposes under UV light, now that I think about it.
Let us know what you're doing with it -- I'd love to know.
i was asked if i could photograph using UV lighting for special flourescent makeup for a vogue cover.
Wow...a vogue cover? You're on fire tami!
OK, so you're photographing visible light (the fluorescence). In order for it to fluoresce, of course, it must have UV light (I know you know this). Using strobes would be tough because the visible light from them would over-power whatever UV light (if any) is produced.
Just thinking, here. And assuming your lights produce any UV light. You could gel your lights with a dark blue or violet (don't use your modeling lights!!). Maybe there are gels that will only transmit the UV light (like an IR filter on your camera, but for UV light). But then you'd be shooting in the dark. Using continuous lighting might be tricky because they'd be very dark. Unless all you're going for is the fluorescent makeup and no other lighting. In that case, well, it would still be pretty dim light.
I guess I'm not much help. Hopefully someone who has actually done this will chime in.
Just thinking, here. And assuming your lights produce any UV light. You could gel your lights with a dark blue or violet (don't use your modeling lights!!). Maybe there are gels that will only transmit the UV light (like an IR filter on your camera, but for UV light). But then you'd be shooting in the dark. Using continuous lighting might be tricky because they'd be very dark. Unless all you're going for is the fluorescent makeup and no other lighting. In that case, well, it would still be pretty dim light.
I guess I'm not much help. Hopefully someone who has actually done this will chime in.
thanks adam, the assignment was very vague. but i appreciate you taking the time!
You should be able to Tami. You wouldn't be able to use your strobes though.
That's what I was thinking - since you're capturing the "glow", you'll need to use only the UV lights. The good part is that since they won't seem as bright to the subject, you should be able to really blast them and get decent shutter speeds and iso!
(Make sure the subject uses some sunblock - I'd hate for them to get a sunburn from your shoot! LOL)
Good luck, and share the images!
Shan
(Make sure the subject uses some sunblock - I'd hate for them to get a sunburn from your shoot! LOL)
Good luck, and share the images!
Shan
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