I have to build a forest set for a performance. I've never built a set before. What should I know? [more inside]
posted by Brainy on Oct 1, 2009 - 12 answers

What equipment do I need to take clear photographs of 2-d artwork from above? [more inside]
posted by Nonce on Sep 24, 2009 - 8 answers

Engineers, construction workers, and lawyers: How can I find out what the specific site safety requirements and statutes are for an under-construction commercial urban development site? Specifically, I'm looking to find out more about site-safety requirements in the city of St. Louis, Mo. [more inside]
posted by limeonaire on Sep 20, 2009 - 16 answers

Basic wiring: can I put a clamp light on a dimmer? I want a cheap means of fading in and out lights for my makeshift light kit. The dimmer I bought only has one pair of wires, plus an extra red wire and a green ground. I want to send power in and out of the dimmer. Is this possible? Photos inside. [more inside]
posted by davidriley on Sep 16, 2009 - 6 answers

I need a new shade for a chandelier. Where can I find one? [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Jun 22, 2009 - 4 answers

UK lighting gurus: where can I get those cute lights they hang on trees at Christmas? [more inside]
posted by basil1 on Jun 21, 2009 - 4 answers

Help me light my office better! (constraints inside) [more inside]
posted by altolinguistic on Jun 17, 2009 - 5 answers

I just found this funky diamond shaped lamp and am not sure what it is, or what kind of lampshade would look right on it. [more inside]
posted by arnicae on Jun 3, 2009 - 3 answers

How can I cover or otherwise improve the ugly wall sconces in my apartment? [more inside]
posted by 6and12 on May 11, 2009 - 10 answers

[Photography & Lighting] What softbox/lights and an external outdoor battery would you recommend to an amateur photographer? [more inside]
posted by bostonhill on May 3, 2009 - 6 answers

How is this photography effect achieved? [more inside]
posted by crewshell on Apr 27, 2009 - 31 answers

Looking to power (light) a Himalayan Salt Lamp for about 48 hours, without using an outlet. [more inside]
posted by GJSchaller on Apr 25, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm looking for a detailed and thorough guide on home lighting principles and ideas. Where is this source? [more inside]
posted by bouchacha on Apr 22, 2009 - 8 answers

What are the go to guides for learning to light in production environments? [more inside]
posted by shmegegge on Mar 20, 2009 - 3 answers

Fluorescent lantern suggestions for emergency home use? [more inside]
posted by ae4rv on Mar 18, 2009 - 10 answers

A couple of friends and I are organising a site-specific installation for the Smart Light Festival (flash w/ sound) to be held in Sydney from May 26 to June 14 this year. While I would appreciate any advice on bringing an installation like this to fruition, I was hoping specifically to get feedback on our plans to pre-fabricate the components (basically if they seem feasible, and if there are cheaper more efficient ways of going about it, how to use less energy, and especially how we could reuse or recycle the materials). [more inside]
posted by carnival of animals on Mar 18, 2009 - 3 answers

With what imaging software was the new Sci-Fi Channel logo created? [more inside]
posted by mattdidthat on Mar 17, 2009 - 8 answers

What kinds of light bulbs and trims can I put in my ceiling-recessed light cans? [more inside]
posted by Nelson on Mar 16, 2009 - 8 answers

I replaced my kitchen over-the-sink fluorescent light with two incandescent pendant lights, and also added halogen under-cabinet lights on the same wiring, so that they all come on when you flip the switch. I did the wiring myself. Within the first couple of months at first 4-5 out of the 8 halogens went out and had to be replaced. Those aren't going out as much anymore, but the incandescent lights are burning out more than ever. What happens is that when I flip the switch, one or both of them will blink for several seconds, then pop and it's cloudy black and burned out. I doubt it matters but they're the kind with the little small screw base, like a small version of the standard incandescent bulb base. I know the electrical connections in the switch box and the box above the sink are the prime suspects, but I've opened the boxes and the connections all seem to be good. I'm going through several bulbs a month at this point. Does anyone know what could be causing this?
posted by atm on Mar 13, 2009 - 15 answers

Does this lamp exist? I need a motion-activated flood/security light for the fenced patio right outside my bedroom, but I also want it to stay dimly lit during the remainder of the night and turn itself off in the morning. It needs to be weatherproof, and ugly is okay.
posted by halogen on Mar 11, 2009 - 3 answers

Please help a landscape photographer take a decent headshot. [more inside]
posted by docgonzo on Feb 25, 2009 - 15 answers

My boyfriend is very much into photography. I would love to be the subject of one of his photo shoots. What advice can you give a plus sized gal about pose, lighting, clothes, etc? (Slightly NSFW link inside) [more inside]
posted by derogatorysphinx on Feb 18, 2009 - 21 answers

Tips on theatrical haze machines. [more inside]
posted by Navelgazer on Feb 8, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm trying to figure out how to colour some clear glass tea light holders to maximize sexiness and avoid flames. [more inside]
posted by cranberrymonger on Jan 23, 2009 - 12 answers

Photographing shiny things: help my light this stuff nicely and take a good photo that isn't blurry. [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 on Jan 7, 2009 - 13 answers

I need to shoot a series of photos of my hands. I've got a good digital camera (that takes good photos, generally), I've got a Gorilla flexible tripod. I have a nicely painted wall or two to serve as backdrop...including one near a window where light shines in directly onto that wall. But while I'm not sure why this would be so challenging (I don't need GREAT results, just reasonably good ones), I can't get anything decent looking at all. [more inside]
posted by jimmyjimjim on Jan 2, 2009 - 11 answers

Calling all East Coast video production pros! Price check. [more inside]
posted by Mister_A on Dec 5, 2008 - 1 answer

How's the market for Architectural Lighting Designers? I am considering a year long MS in architectural lighting design, and I am an entertainment lighting designer. [more inside]
posted by jimmyhutch on Dec 2, 2008 - 3 answers

When a candle is burnt indoors, what happens to the wax? An amount of smoke equivalent to the mass of the candle is released as it's burnt (?)--does this manage to escape the house, or does most of it stay in the room and coat the walls, floors, ceiling, etc.?
posted by mstillwell on Nov 23, 2008 - 25 answers

Electronics/LED Folks: I bought a few cheap, poorly-assembled LED color-changing orb-things and I'm pretty sure they're the coolest objects I have ever owned. I cracked 'em open, and damned if I know what is going on in there, but it looks simple/cheap as all hell. Help me figure it out, I'll post a build-log/parts list somewhere, and in short-order we can all be ass-deep in home-made, disarmingly sublime mood-lighting. [more inside]
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj on Nov 18, 2008 - 28 answers

What kind of lights are these? Can anyone give me information about these? I want to sell them but don't even know what to call them in the ad. There are video-studio-set lights of some sort. They all work. They're used but in good condition, so any input on what I could ask for them?
posted by Newstuffoldstuff on Nov 16, 2008 - 4 answers

Vintage lamp clamps? I have this red vintage desk lamp, similar in style to an architect's lamp (like this newer version). It has a thin cylinder at the bottom, presumably to fit into one of those C clamps. Where do I find the right clamp to attach this lamp to a desk or table? [more inside]
posted by barnone on Nov 13, 2008 - 7 answers

Help me find some modern accessories to go with my modern furniture. [more inside]
posted by burnmp3s on Oct 20, 2008 - 13 answers

anywhere in canada/usa to buy 220 volt wall dimmers? [more inside]
posted by psychoticreaction on Oct 5, 2008 - 2 answers

Lighting question - I'm looking for the lights featured in the first few seconds of this youtube clip... [more inside]
posted by zap rowsdower on Sep 22, 2008 - 2 answers

How can I light up my apartment? [more inside]
posted by jennyesq on Sep 14, 2008 - 13 answers

I am a hobbyist photographer starting to do some serious studio work and I need help deciding on lighting equipment. [more inside]
posted by arniec on Sep 8, 2008 - 5 answers

My new apartment is a room. Like, one. The whole place is a dreary, yellowish mess, and I will go to absurd lengths to make this bat-cave a little more cheery. What should I do with it? [more inside]
posted by borkingchikapa on Sep 2, 2008 - 25 answers

Moving offices. I co-run the place and want to get some nice, unique lights for everyone's space to replace or augment the fluorescents. We currently string outdoor xmas lights around the place and while we like the effect it's kind of dorm-room and messy. Talking about overhead lights, not desk lamps (we all have those already.) Nothing too "designer" or $$$ -- our backup plan is to ball LED string lights up with twine, as an example. Any ideas or links to shops?
posted by neustile on Aug 8, 2008 - 12 answers

What's the best light bulb option these days? I need to replace the bulbs in my bathroom (9, 40 watt bulbs currently). Lights are typically on for about 20 minutes a day. Occasional they'll be on and off quickly. There are no windows. I want to be environmentally conscious, but price does factor in at some level. [more inside]
posted by willnot on Jul 22, 2008 - 10 answers

Need help finding an exterior light similar to this one. [more inside]
posted by striker on Jul 11, 2008 - 1 answer

Hive mind, do you know of a cheap, plug-in LED light that will wash the wall above it with pretty colors? [more inside]
posted by arimathea on Jun 28, 2008 - 8 answers

Help me diagnose repeated failure of my lighting dimmers. [more inside]
posted by jon1270 on Jun 26, 2008 - 20 answers

I want to replace my 2001 Subaru Forester's signal lamps. Where do I go? [more inside]
posted by fleeba on Jun 21, 2008 - 6 answers

RemodelingKitchenFilter: What do you wish you had done to your kitchen when you had the chance? [more inside]
posted by birdlips on Jun 11, 2008 - 43 answers

Can I use a one-way CFL bulb in a three-way socket? [more inside]
posted by binary on Jun 8, 2008 - 6 answers

Can I put R40 bulbs in my R30 cans? [more inside]
posted by bjrubble on Jun 5, 2008 - 6 answers

The Hancock building in Chicago has two different tower lighting systems. During the night the antenna structures have red lights to warn away aircraft. During the day the towers have strobes. Since I was a kid the towers always had red lights. Why did they make the change? It seems like two different systems would need twice as much maintenance.
posted by @homer on May 29, 2008 - 3 answers

How do I take a photobooth picture at home? [more inside]
posted by katemonster on May 7, 2008 - 6 answers

I have a motherboard in my PC, with 3 extremely bright blue LED lights. I can't disable them, because they show whether or not there is a problem with the CPU, RAM, etc. Would putting something like Blutack over them damage them? [more inside]
posted by Don-da-lah on May 7, 2008 - 14 answers