Picture lighting

Impressions of a visit to a museum or gallery depend on how individual exhibits were experienced. However, the sheer number of works often swamps visitors. Light plays a creative role here; it underlines the statement that is being made and in some cases makes that statement possible in the first place.

Room height, picture size, surfaces, materials, distances between lights etc. must all be in harmony, so that a suitable lighting effect is achieved for a picture. Regardless of whether the picture is painted in oil, acrylic, is an etching or a simple print, the strength of the light sources as well as their positions play an important role. The size of the picture is the main factor in determining how many spotlights are needed. The format of the picture (square or rectangular, standing or flat) determines which accessories, such as oval outline lenses, are required. Pictures often vary. There are „flat” pictures such as prints, whilst others, such as old masters in oil or acrylic which have a life of their own. Conservation is an issue here. The right light source as well as UV filters help to protect light-sensitive materials. Reducing incident light can prevent aging, too.

Object lighting

The most important factor here is the light direction. In our view, object lighting is the illumination of three dimensional elements, which are not spatially restricted in any way. The size of the exhibit determines the arrangement of the individual spot lights, whereby the intended message of the exhibit and the wishes of the curator must be taken into account. The objects can be „immersed” in a soft diffuse light, or they can be dramatically presented with the right reflector beam. By using more than one source of light and lighting from several directions, the object can be made the „highlight” of any collection.

Different possibilities in the object lighting

Here you can try to guess the light direction (from above / from the side / from below / from behind) and the type of lighting (one-side / multiple / diffuse / combination with back light). Under the pictures you will find then a table with the solutions.