Let's Talk Uplighting

Let's Talk Uplighting

As the name suggests, uplighting is the art of using light (in an upwards direction) to wash your walls with colour, and in the process turn a plain and unexciting venue into a buzzing and colourful event.

LED or Traditional PAR Can?

There are many benefits to using LED lights compared to traditional PAR cans for your uplighting. The main attraction is that LEDs use much less power than traditional bulbs, and they rarely overheat or pose a fire hazard. Their color, effects, settings and brightness can be wirelessly changed as and when it is needed, as opposed to traditional PAR cans, which need their filter gels changed each time you wish to illuminate in a new colour. LED lights also do not require a bulky and time-consuming DMX controller to switch them on or off. Instead, LED lights come with various forms of remote control and most are fitted with Wireless DMX capabilities.

The main drawback to using LED lights is that it’s more expensive, but that is much less of an issue now than it was before due to the high demand for LED event lighting. Another drawback was that LEDs were not as bright as traditional PAR can lights, but that is also no longer the case.

Photo credit: Paul Singh, Midwest Sound

Wired LED Uplighting or Wireless LED Uplighting?

Most of the options for uplighting currently on the market are wired solutions. These have been in production for many years and users are very familiar with these lights (controlled by DMX and connected to the mains). They are bright, rigid, cheap and long-lasting. For the traditional and price conscious DJs and event designers, these are perfect. However, there are also wireless options available. This is a technology with much less history and with fewer options available.

The benefit of wireless lighting over wired options is the set-up time and the event aesthetic. In general, it takes considerably less time to set-up events with wireless lights, and with that comes the need for less man power. For modern, price sensitive, shrewd business owners, while initially more expensive, wireless lights definitely pay off very quickly due to the cost savings in other areas. Not to mention the impact wireless lights will have on your event. Without cables in show, running along walls, hanging from ceilings etc., events can look clean and tidy and really make a professional impression on your clients.

Types of Uplighting

Simplifying the topic, it is possible to make two categories for uplighting. Each category uses the light and effects differently to elicit different moods and reactions from your guests.

Ambient Uplighting

Ambient uplighting is used with the aim of improving the graceful atmosphere of a room or event. With this type of uplighting, the lights are being used to complement the space, create an aura, and not as a glitzy performance in and of itself. Generally, ambient uplighting is characterized by its use of static colours (you pick one color and it stays the same for an extended period of time) or multiple colours but with very little movement (remember, the idea is to create mood, not excitement). There are also different types of ambient uplighting. To light up a pillar or a piece of furniture is typically to use accent lighting (to accentuate the object), but to paint a wall with colour is to use mood lighting.

Flashy Uplighting

Flashy uplighting is intended to provoke the senses of the crowd and get noticed. Typically, events that wish to have a temporary dance floor will make use of flashy uplighting with lots of movement, different effects, frequently changing colours, and even possibly a strobe effect.

Both types of uplighting are difficult to achieve but both are very successful when correctly utilized. Uplighting can be used at any venue where you feel a mood needs to be set, but you will most likely see uplighting at wedding receptions, corporate events, and other celebration parties.

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Astera LED Technology

www.astera-led.com