I am returning to architectural photography after several years layoff. In those days I shot 4x5 film and shot a lot of "successful" commercial interiors with mainly overhead fluorescent lights. Without a color meter and or step latter, it was always a problem figuering out just what kind of fluorescents were in the ceiling-cool white, daylight, warm white, etc.
A lot of changes have taken place over the years, and it is my understanding that now days the fluorescents in most commercial interiors are daylight tubes?
Right? Wrong? What?

I don't think that the variety of FL tubes has changed much over the past few years--it's still a crap shoot. However, many companies are adopting "green" policies which usually point to daylight balanced FL tubes.

Are you still shooting film? If you've made the transition to digital the problem of FL color balance is infinitely simpler.

Good luck,
Alan

I got rid of my Color Temp. meter but I did not abandon the use of correction filters in extreme off color situations.
I find that with fluorescent lights the balance can be startling good or startling poor when trying to get correct color on faces or areas of mixed light. The direct light and areas in the shade often do not want to be the same tint either.
Oh yes, it is far easier than with film and some very spectacular results can be obtained when accuracy is not important. Removal of green undertones may still be required but that can be done in Photoshop.
I too do not believe that the fluorescent lights have changed much. Better tubes exist but I can walk into any place right now and likely see color differences when the maintenance department just could not resist getting a better deal on cheaper fl. tubes.
Those issues are often the case in areas where simply changing to matching lights is impossible due to budget constraints and just simple practicality.
Rinus www.rinusphoto.com

Rinus wrote:

QUOTE:
I got rid of my Color Temp. meter but I did not abandon the use of correction filters in extreme off color situations.

Any advice on what filters work best? I've tried filtering strobes and hot lights to match fluorescents, but have not had very good luck.

Cheers,

Andrew

If your shooting film, tungsten film to daylight is 85B filter. Then add anywhere from cc 10-40 Magenta depending on type of FL lights installed.

I have also waved a 1 stop ND (neutral density) filter on the upper portion of the image to balance the brightness of the light from the ceiling. This allows for a smoother lighting transition from the ceiling to the furniture and floor.

With digital, white balance set to daylight, the same technique can work. (without the use of the 85B filter).

Give it a try. Hope this helps.

James

arossphoto wrote:

QUOTE:
Rinus wrote:

QUOTE:
I got rid of my Color Temp. meter but I did not abandon the use of correction filters in extreme off color situations.

Any advice on what filters work best? I've tried filtering strobes and hot lights to match fluorescents, but have not had very good luck.

Cheers,

Andrew