Have you ever travelled somewhere you've been before but a long time ago? Somewhere perhaps where things are different to the life you left to go there? Although I'm an Australian and have spent most of my life here, I was born in Georgetown, Penang and have spent significant periods of my life growing up in Asia. I feel an affinity – there's a large part of me in Southeast Asia. I recently returned to the mountains of the Indonesian island of Bali after an absence of 10 years. Bali's a beautiful (& warm) place with rich a Hindu culture and warm, friendly people … did I mention warm? The morning we left Canberra it was -6C! When we landed it felt the same … it smelled the same. We couldn't find the driver our hotel sent so we jumped in a cab for what's normally a 40 minute ride. The trip took 2 and a bit hours in at times quite ridiculous traffic … perhaps traffic is a bit generous – traffic implies movement of some kind. There was plenty of time to look out the window. As the sun set I noticed something had changed. At first I couldn't put a finger on it yet it altered my whole perception. By the road, shops and houses, scooter repair, makan (food) carts, temples and shrines – switched on their lights pools in the increasing darkness.
The shops felt colder, less inviting … why was that? Of course! The light! The light was now blue! I remembered it as orange … incandescent … warm. The incandescent globes had all been replaced by compact flourescents (CF) with their cold bluey glow. Here in Australia, we've been changing the globes over for years and I remember noticing that houses looked less inviting and colder then. It was one of those 'Derr!' moments when I realise the obvious … of course everyone everywhere is changing to the new bulbs … of course it will look different. Then why did I have such a reaction to this?
I'll declare I dislike CF lighting … it feels stark and cold to me … somehow less intimate. Halogens still retain their warmth (literally most times!) … I guess people who've grown up with nothing else do not yearn as I do for those warm oranges and yellows. I sincerely hope that lighting engineers are working on warmer, energy-efficient solutions – I'm sure they are!
How about you, do you miss the incandescents? Have you always known CF lighting? Does it feel cold to you? Less intimate?
Do let me know π
You make a good point about the difference in feel of the two bulbs, Geoff. Starting Sept. 1 the shops in Europe are no longer allowed to buy incandescent bulbs from their suppliers, so once they sell out, that’s all she wrote. Astrid’s main beef with the new compact flourescents is the mercury after bad disposable that’s seeping back into our environment. It’s like you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
On another note, i bought a 3 cm oculus the other day here in town (β¬4,95) and tried it out this week. I think I’ll keep it…even though they were checking on a 5 cm for me. If all goes as planned, I’ll be showing my first image with it on July 2…and will include a link to the first post of yours where I got the inspitation. π
YEs. A paradox of sorts-CF lighting is friendlier to the environment, but produces a not so friendly or inviting spectrum. I imagine it has to do with expectations…generational.
I miss the warmth of the old school lighting too:) Great post.
Great shot, full of details and texture.
Welcome to Pictures with Words Mats π
I hope you’ll be back to visit again.
oh yes, i know those lights and we have them here too, and i HATE their blue, sickish color. (well, hate is perhaps a very strong word) but you can usually get them in day warm (like they call it) or other colors which have this warm, yellow glow to it.
beautiful photo this one, and enjoyed the story that came with it too!
Thank Sara. The blue light makes everything appear anaemic!
I agree, always thought yellows and oranges were better for my mood as well as better for my skin tones…
Ahh the skin tones … like those hotel rooms that insist on putting a fluorescent tube above the mirror in the bathroom … urgh!
Indeed, give my warm light and I am a happy human. Excellent point.
Thanks Doug. Cool tones have their place but warmth always feels best. Happy human … I like that π
I totally love this image, partly because I love anything to do with light. And, yes, the quality of light makes all the difference. It’s why I find it so hard to buy clothes in cheap department stores – the light is appalling! Warm, slightly orange light is always the best. Thanks for this – it’s got me thinking.
Hey Nigel … welcome π
I’m glad I got you thinking … I always leave your blog with something I didn’t have when I arrived and it’s nice to return the favour.
Terrific photo! I know what you mean about the bluish tinge to the light – absolutely horrible. But the good news is – dedum – you can get those bulbs in the warm colour (you can even get them in an orange tone if you don’t want to attract insects) – have a look next time you are in the supermarket – haha.
Thanks Gabe … I knew you could get warmer temperatures here … I was just shocked to see the feel of the whole night landscape in rural Bali had changed after what feels like a short(ish) time. “Dedum” … I like that … I’m going to
stealadopt that.I really like the picture, it’s simplicity , the texture of the wall and the blueish tint to it. Very nice.
As for the matter of changing light, I grew up with incandescent globes and still use some of them at home but are slowly moving to replace them by CF lights. After reading your post I really had to think whether I actually noticed the light to be much different now and it’s still difficult to tell. I guess it also depends somewhat on what kind of lamp you have as the shade might help to soften the light somewhat and maybe some of the newer CF lights have already been improved to cast a softer light. I haven’t been to Asia yet but can imagine that especially there it might seem unusual or even a bit strange to see blue or white light as you simple expect everything to appear friendly and warm all the time. Maybe it will change again one day, if not, you need to light some candles π
Thanks Viola π
Older apartment blocks in the early evening when everyone has the lights on are one of the best places to see the contrast. Places where older incandescent bulbs that have not blown and are still being used alongside apartments with newer CFLs. Candles, yes π
True, this shot and the processing really emphasise the point, like it.
Thank you shooter … glad you do π
Strong. I love this detail and the texture on the wall. Nicely done.
Have a nice day.
Thank you π
And thank you for taking the time to visit and comment upon so many of my works here. I will be round to visit shortly π