CHAPTER
II
FUNDAMENTALS OF LIGHTING Size of Light Source.
A
study of light and shade in nature is most helpful in creating a concept of artificial-lighting fundamentals. The artist appreciates this, for he spends many hours studying nature with brush and crayon. First, the the sun and the sky chief sources of light in nature and the varied combinations of light from both, afford us excellent examples of one of the most important phases of lighting the size of the source from which
An
overcast sky (sun not obtained when all of the If one were to walk light comes from a very large area. on an open road in a level country on such a day, the shadow of one's self falling on the road would be difficult to detect. Furthermore, the eyes feel comfortable under the lighting
is
obtained.
visible) illustrates the results
this condition,
and there
is
little
or
no
desire to
wear
indoors the ceiling and walls of a room are illuminated with a lighting fixture in which the lamps are
sun
glasses.
If
not visible and the fixture itself is opaque, the lighting very similar to that found outdoors on an over-
effect is
cast day. assured.
Shadows
are exceedingly soft
and eye comfort
Reflections from shiny magazine and book paper are so softened that they are neither annoying is
nor do they appreciably interfere with vision.
These
parallel cases definitely indicate that the size of the light
source
is
of first importance,
if
soft
and comfortable
lighting is to be obtained. In direct contrast to this condition let us again place ourselves out on the country road on a day with a clear 11