How to Choose Light Sources

How to Choose Light Sources ?

The light source affects color and distance perception. Common sources of illumination include incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, low and high-pressure sodium, and LED Reflector light bulbs. Here's what you should consider when choosing a source of light:

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)

The color temperature measures the heat of the metal filament, which changes color until the metal and the lamp are almost the same color. Color temperatures are measured in Kelvin and are categorized as warm or cool. Warm sources of light such as incandescent, high-pressure sodium, and some fluorescent bulbs have a color temperatures ranging from 1800K to 3200K. Cool sources of light such as mercury vapor, metal halide, and some fluorescent bulbs have a color temperature ranging from 4000K and 7500K.

Color Rendering (CRI)

The Color Rendering Index measures and specifies how colors appear when illuminated by particular sources of light. Color rendering is important in identifying the color of a potential suspect’s clothing or the color of a vehicle in a hit-and-run accident. The CRI scale ranges from 0 to 100, and the greater the CRI, the better color rendering capability of the source. A CRI of 50 or higher allows for accurate and confident color identification.

Spectral Power Distribution (SPD)

Spectral Power Distribution is the light source’s ability to illuminate certain color. For examples, sources of light with a weak red wavelength, may cause red colors to appear muted in the evening.

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