Lighting design is essentially the careful design of lighting systems to meet specific objectives and requirements.[1] Lighting systems can include electric lighting, daylighting, or both, as well as any associated controls.[2][3] Support for human vision, health, mood, and entertainment are common examples of lighting design objectives. Requirements can be quantitative (e.g., minimumilluminance) or qualitative (e.g., lowdiscomfort glare).
There are two basic types of lighting design practitioners, albeit with some overlap between these disciplines:architectural lighting designers andstage lighting designers.[4] This is illustrated in the respective scope of their professional societies. For example:
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Although the effects of architectural lighting are often dynamic (e.g., due to automateddimming or color changing),[11][12][13] the installedlighting systems are generally fixed in place.[14][15] Specialties within architectural lighting include different methods and applications of indoor (e.g.,daylighting, healthcare lighting) and outdoor (e.g.,landscape lighting,roadway lighting) illumination.
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Stage lighting design covers a wide array of events including stage plays and musicals, dance, opera, concerts, sporting events, and corporate launches.
Intheatre, a lighting designer (or LD) works with thedirector,choreographer,set designer,costume designer, andsound designer to create thelighting, atmosphere, and time of day for the production in response to the text while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety, and cost. The LD also works closely with thestage manager orshow control programming, if show control systems are used in that production.
An LD of a pop tour may work directly the band andproduction manager, and at larger scales they may work with other creative directors and designers, while at smaller scales they may also be responsible for programming andlight board operation. LDs work withmaster electricians to implement their designs.
In film, television, and video production,gaffers andlighting technicians work with thecinematographer or director of photography to light scenes for the camera.
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