HOW TO WORK WITH AMBIENT LIGHTING AND PROJECTION MAPPING?

When working with the art and science of projection mapping it is important to understand how much ambient light there is.

When it comes to live events and permanent installations this is a driving factor in determining how bright the projectors need to be to achieve the magical and surreal lighting effect known as projection mapping.

 

The main ambient lighting conditions that can influence the effectiveness of the projector are:

  • The Sun, Sunset Time

  • Street Lights

  • Architectural Uplights, Sconces, etc

  • Windows

  • Interior Lighting, Chandeliers, etc

  • LED Walls and other Concert Lighting

In an ideal world it is best to have the surface for the projections, the building, or the room be completely dark.

Sometimes light fixtures can be dimmed or turned off. Or, we can get creative and build deflection panels to block the light spill from the projection surface.

However, this is not always possible which is why it is often necessary to increase the brightness of the projector.

In a big picture as long as the projections are not to be on a surface that has sunshine directly on it we are good to go.

Once we understand the needs of the project and the scope and scale our team of experts can help guide you through the process and ensure that the best projectors for the job are selected.

See below for a few examples of projects our team completed where although there was ambient light present the effect still shone through in a stunning way.

 
Faithlife Software
Porsche Taycan Unveil
Amazon Kindle HQ
Capitol Hill Block party
Manatee Commune On Ice!

FIELD TO TABLE STADIUM EVENT

The organizers of the Field to Table event in Lumen Field were looking for a way to add visual appeal to the large culinary tent on site.

Projection mapping was chosen as a viable means to add value. Lighting up the tent structure with precise video animations completely transformed it from a background item to a foreground feature.

 

The event needed the system to run each evening for a full month with the ability to change content as needed. Our recipe for outdoor projection mapping installations and remote management was perfectly suited for this.

The activation was a hit all month and helped realize a new way to creatively apply projections to event infrastructure.

 

WWU'S "PAINT B'HAM BLUE" PROJECTION MAPPING AND CONCERT LIGHTING DESIGN

Western Washington University was looking to host a spectacular event to welcome in the new students.

For one night only downtown Bellingham, WA became a next level concert arena with massive lighting, architectural projection mapping, and fireworks.

 

To take it there NOVA Light Labs brought out a comprehensive system that spanned the main stage to The Herald in the background.

With the looks on the ground covered the projection mapping system on The Herald was synchronized using a low latency wireless video link.

The result was phenomenal and set the bar for how exciting, creative, and engaging Bellingham is as a town for the upcoming students.

 

STOP MOTION, ANALOG, AND HANDMADE VIDEO CONTENT FOR PROJECTION MAPPING

Content creation is where the paint meets the pixel.

In this case that is a very literal sense as NOVA Light Labs is very fond of the contrast between the high technology of projection mapping and the grounding of an analog touch.

Sometimes the setting calls for looks that reflect the modern times with themes of lasers, computers, and very shiny materials.

But sometimes a touch of creativity and that human element softens the edges of the experience and enables more people to engage with a piece.

This kind of effect can be achieved by first making a scale model of the architecture or object to be projected on.

Next, a camera is placed directly above the scale model so that any art on the surface is in clear view. Hit record and then feel free to explore the studio space!

Afterwards the footage is edited, aligned, and composed to fit the features of the building or space in question so that what was painted on one part of the building lines up perfectly in real life.

The effect is truly unbelievable with larger than life paint brushes and found objects creating a live mural on a building or venue in real time.

 
Pacific Place
THE ARGYROS
The Herald
Faithlife Software

FLOOR, GROUND, ENTRYWAY, AND WALKWAY PROJECTION MAPPING

Any surface that can catch and reflect light is a good candidate for the effect of projection mapping.

The floor, ground, walkways, and entryways of a venue or event space are often overlooked but can afford an amazing canvas for a wonderful visual effect.

Even though the projections may not be an entire skyline the feeling of walking through them is the whole world.

It feels as though the light is coming from everywhere and can be very well tailored to the context of the immediate environment.

In one example, The Collective Grand Opening features projected topographic lines which reinforced the outdoor nature of the occasion.

Next, the 41 ROSS Gallery System is a great example of how a permanent ground based projection activation can illuminate an entire alleyway.

Then, the organizers at JUMP’s Illumibrate Festival elevated the entrance with a wavy projection of the ocean on the entryway.

ODESZA ALBUM RELEASE PARTY PROJECTION MAPPING STAGE DESIGN

In the formative times of Fall 2012 NOVA Light Labs resided in the same city as then up and coming electronic duo, ODESZA.

This was right after the first year of our work at the Summer Meltdown Music Festival and it was time to put some of our new projection mapped stretch fabrics to use for the group’s freshman album release party.

 

That album by ODESZA, “Summer’s Gone”, defined so much of that time and playing it agains brings us right back.

So beautiful to reflect on all the times that were had then, have happened in between, and are yet to come.

 

GEOLOGICAL 3D PROJECTION MAPPING MOAB, UT AND THE FEATHERS, WA

While traveling through the scenic landscapes surrounding Moab, UT it occurred that some 3D projection mapping would look amazing on the red cliffs!

After a little setup, some crafty software, and a little experimentation, a workflow emerged that allowed one to effectively “paint” the cliff-sides with projected light.

It was so enjoyable to make use of the intuitive interface between hand and digital brush while playing with the natural features of the geological formations.

Another great example of this was at “The Feathers” just inside the “Frenchman Coulee Park” in eastern Washington State. In this example another cliffside was chosen for activation at night via projected light.

It’s such a great combination of high tech digital art with timeless rock formations nature has worked on for eons. Throw in a starry backdrop and a few rock climbing passerby’s and it’s a genuine NOVA Light Labs experience!

WELCOME TO NOVA LIGHT LABS

NOVA Light Labs is official.

It is simply easier to say, to spell, and to remember.

It carries with it the same stellar projection mapping, lighting design, and original visuals everyone has come to know and love from many years as Lumenarius.

The rebrand also signifies the “new light” which is channeled through the lens and aperture of modern digital visual experiences.

Further, NOVA Light Labs reflects the surname of the founder and CEO, Casey Nova.

It is through this creative venture that even more possibilities within light, art, and technology will be realized and delivered to the world so as to foster more beautiful experiences and interesting moments.

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