[MansionHaunter]

We have the most efficient, illuminating streetlights known to humankind here in our neighborhood.

They destroy any control I have over lighting the scene, casting a really ugly champagne-colored light from on high, revealing the entire yard.

Last year I'd had enough and created a simple cardboard and aluminum foil cover I could slip over the top. It was very effective, but the high winds eventually blew it right off. I finally found what was left of it down the street in someone's yard.

Anyone else have any clever and not blatantly illegal or dangerous methods for dealing with obnoxious street lights?

 

[Frighteners Entertainment]

I wouldn't recommend covering them. If someone was to get hurt due to insufficient lighting, you would feel pretty bad and probably be in pretty hot water.
I would agree, not the best color to work with but, do what you can with the light to help cast shadows into your scenes.

 

[DeathTouch]

How about a pelt gun?

 

[Otaku]

These guys had a similar issue with bright street lights. Rob at Skull and Bone put up a great tutorial on lighting a yard haunt:

http://www.skullandbone.com/tutorial_01.htm

I've used some of his techniques successfully. Highly recommended.

 

[MansionHaunter]

Thanks - that will be good to look through. Whoda thunk you could add more light to overcome unwanted light.

 

[Haunted Bayou]

Yep, I have the same problem.
My astronomy forum buddies often use lasers to shut them off temporarily. I wouldn't recommend that, though.

You could also call the city and complain that the light is keeping you up at night. Sometimes they will hood the light at no charge. Sometimes they put a hood and charge you for it. I know of a person who got his city to hood the one in front of his house at no charge because he complained about it.


That tutorial that Otaku recommended is great. I will be throwing some spots on the house to change the color and create some shadows where I want them. I think low spots will do the same thing. Highlight what you want and throw some shadows.

I actually thought of painting some shadows on the grass. Don't know how well that would work. Or even anchoring some cut-out shadows with garden pins. I might try it just to see if it would make a difference.

 

[slightlymad]

I would simply start by calling and asking them if they would turn it off for a few hours during your haunt. Probably because I provided sidewalk lighting and everyone loves the display they turned it off for me for the night.

 

[NickG]

the skullandbone tutorial is very helpful, there was a thread about this topic sometime last year, might want to search for it.

 

[Haunted Bayou]

I didn't know they could turn off the light temporarily.
Thanks for that information.

 

[NickG]

don't forget to take into account the liability of having had the light turned off... though the light is a hassle to deal with, we got 250+ visitors last year and the street was busy at times, with both people traffic and vehicle traffic.. I like the idea of leaving the light on for a safety standpoint, thinking of how horrible it would be if anything happened after the light was turned off. (we don't have sidewalks...)

related thread:

http://hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=1162&highlight=street+light

 

[arcuhtek]

I started to start a new thread and found this one.....because i have THREE very bright street lights right in my front yard. I HATE THEM.

I have researched many websites and found the following solutions (in summary):

1. Use them in your scene.....IMO this is too complex in my situation becuase I have a LOT of exterior wall surface.

2. Use a laser pointer to fool the photocell. This is a hit or miss solution, and if successful often lasts for only a few minutes. A haunt last for hours. Not practical.

3. Shot it out with a pellet, BB or a real gun. NO WAY, NOT GOING TO SHOT OUT THREE LIGHTS....even at 3 am when no one is looking. Do you think its a dead give away for three street lights to be blown to bits in front of the same house....that also just so happens to have the best haunt in the entire city.....all occurring near Halloween? Its also illegal. Just happens to be the only solution with guaranteed results of NO LIGHT.....just not worth it.

4. Cover with some material like heavy black plastic or foil. Well this works, but you have to climb 30 feet in the air to do it. There is no way I am doing that. Personal injury abound here. I have no access to a bucket truck, but I have thought of renting a electric construction scissor lift..but its $100 or more. PLUS......its obvious something or someone such as YOU tinkered with them. IF someone gets hurt...the pointer is aimed at you for liability.

5. Spray paint them black. Well this is good for blocking the light. But in broad daylight, its an OBVIOUS alteration just like a trash bag. Again...one must rent a lift or something.

6. Ask the power company to turn them off. This is polite and moral, but from what I can read, it is a toss up if you can accomplish this with the agreement of the power company. I have never heard of anyone actually getting the PC to do this for sure.

7. Cut the wires. DANGEROUS. Plus...even if I did do this...I do not know which direction the power is flowing to the lights. They are linked together with a series of overhead wires. My luck I would cut the first one and every light on the street after that one....and EXCEPT my three.....would go off. This would cause major issue and likely gather the immediate attention of the power company. Back on tomorrow. Did I mention DANGEROUS. NO WAY.

8. Paint ball gun. Well again....the end result is nasty gummed up light lens....and is OBVIOUS to anyone who pays attention in the daylight. Liability points to you. Plus.....would one actually be able to accomplish full coverage? This option is the easiest to attempt.

The solutions I like best are:

9. Spray paint the lens white...neatly. I have seen this done by a local friend who did his own lights. He is a tree trimmer so he has skill and ability to climb a city lamp post like a squirrel. Something I cannot and will not do. I need also mention he has NO FEAR. BUT...the end result was dramatic.... a DIM street light, and when one looks up at the light in the day time...you can tell NOTHING. At night its no obvious.....one just thinks the bulb is growing old...(but its not OUT...so no one calls the power company)....and in many cases no one even notices why suddenly it seems darker outside. Intuitively, they notice..but cannot quiet figure it out. People can still see well enough to navigate the street. For me it still requires a construction lift......electric for quietness.....which I am willing to pay for and use late at night. This would only take about 5-10 mins to do.

10. Use my PAR 38 can light sheet of color gels to put blue/red gels over the light...to create and eeire blue color cast on my house much like the Skull and Bones website. I am NOT sure this would work as I envision it. Yes I would have to rent a lift. It would take longer than OPTION 9....but the effect would be very cool. I could even go to the paper store and get some transparent purple gift wrap....kind like that which comes in the Easter baskets or something. The bad news is that this is something that one would want to remove immediately after Halloween and do again next year. More work. And do I have to rent the lift twice each year....once for install...once for removal?

I like Option 9.

Anyone else care to add to this.....and PLEASE do not suggest guns or driving over the pole with your car.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[Lotus]

How about a pelt gun?

I think this is the best idea

 

[arcuhtek]

I think this is the best idea

I guessed you missed the last line in my post....

 

[Sickie Ickie]

My guess is all the above are illegal and may land you in deep trouble. even the white paint.

 

[arcuhtek]

Well not all of them are illegal. I just prefer to eliminate the ones that involve weapons....

 

[Darkside]

I like the white paint idea as well. But I also would not have a way to reach that heigth.
For the past 2 years, and only for a few nights, I apply a home cover that hangs over the light but only blocks the light from my yard, not my neighbors. So far, no complaints.

 

[slimy]

Careful with the paint.

Streetlights are a very high wattage and put out tremendous heat. Most spray paint can and will catch fire. Look for a 'high heat' paint. Unfortunately, I have only seen that in black ( for bbq grills).

Same thing with the gift wrap. I guarantee that would start burning only minutes after you put it up, and what a mess that will be. Theatrical gels ( though they LOOK the same as the gift wrap) are made to take the higher heat and not melt or catch fire. Now you just gotta find a way to make 'em stay up.

I see gels as the only option of those above.

Good luck.

 

[Sickie Ickie]

Slimy, gels do take higher heat, but it depends how high and for how long. We've hat spotlight gels both melt and burn through.

 

[UnderMan]

Have you tried talking to the city and asking if they could shut off the light for a few hours on Halloween, explaining your need? It's a simple job of looseing a fuse in the base. My brother-in-law has done it himself in the past and puts it back to right. Nobody has said anything. My yard is the darkest yards on the entire street. When I drive down the street I sometimes miss our house at night, so I don't have to worry about that. I'd do the same thing though if I needed to.

 

[arcuhtek]

I didnt know street lights were high temp. In fact, I equated them to fluorescent lights that burn cool. I will look into what type I have and their attributed before choosing my method.

I still cannot get to the top of the light.....

Hmmmmm fuse at the base????? I will look into that.