The Lighting Library
Created by: Bill Williams
https://billwilliams.ca/
1.) science and history
A HISTORY OF LIGHT AND LIGHTING – Lighting, from pre-history to modern day, all arranged in chronological order. This document is intended as a serious research tool for the lighting student or the experienced lighting professional. (99 pages) (Author: Bill Williams).
ARC LAMPS – a single page document that describes several early electric arc lamps (from about 1870). Links to graphics and photos are included – from The Museum of Electricity. (Author: Charles Brush).
COLOR MIXING DEMONSTRATION – (Java Gel) Prove that Red and Green light really do mix to make Yellow. This simple (Java) application allows you to mix ‘in real time’ the 3 primary colors of light (red, green and blue) providing a nice demonstration of ‘additive’ color mixing. (Author: Jeffrey Hightower).
COLOR RENDERING OF SPECTRA – This is a short (technical) introduction to the CIE color system. This article helps find the CIE value of a color and then relates it to its RGB value. Also included are formulas and nice color CIE diagrams. (Author: John Walker).
VISION – This site provides excellent information relating to vision and the anatomy of the human eye. These indexed documents are for the intermediate to advanced reader and provide a good reference for the lighting design student. (Author: Webvision).
2.) LIGHT sources – (modern)
THE GAS DISCHARGE LAMP – a general overview of gas discharge lighting,ballasts and fixtures. Includes information on HID, LPS and NEON. (Authors: Sam Goldwasser & Donald Klipstein, 37k).
THE INCANDESCENT LAMP – an overview of the ‘light bulb’. This links to ‘The Great Internet Light Bulb Page’. Includes theory of operation and other technical topics with many links. Good general introduction. (Author: Donald Klipstein, 27k).
THE SULPHUR LAMP – Is this the lamp technology of the future? Here is a link to a FAQ regarding sulphur lamp technology.
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) LAMPS – a general introduction to the world of ultraviolet and UV lamps. This document (text only) contains links to other related chapters. (Author: Donald Klipstein).
3.) LIGHTING Photometrics
BEAM SPREAD CALCULATOR – This quick reference finds BEAM WIDTH at any DISTANCE for any SPREAD ANGLE. Alternately you can determine what spread angle is required to provide a required beam width at a given distance. Both Imperial and Metric tables are included. A ‘must have’ for any lighting designer’. (1 printed page) (Author: Bill Williams).
ILLUMINANCE TABLES – This quick reference finds ILLUMINANCE (fc or lux) at any DISTANCE from any SOURCE INTENSITY. Alternately, you can determine the intensity of the source required (candelas) to produce a given illuminance (fc) at a given distance. Both Imperial and Metric tables are included. (1 printed page) (Author: Bill Williams).
SUNRISE AND SUNSET CALCULATIONS – Here is a useful and simple application that calculates sunrise, sunset or twilight for any city around the world. This is great for assisting in the planning of outdoor events.
4.) ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING
FOOTCANDLES and LUX – This is a quick reference relating to ILLUMINANCE and recommended lighting levels for architectural lighting applications. IES methods are discussed and an alternative method by M.S.. Rae is presented. (Author: Bill Williams).
LIGHT SOURCES FOR ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING – This document will assist the architectural lighting designer in choosing the appropriate light source for a specific lighting application. Modern sources are discussed in respect to luminous efficacy, color temperature, color rendering index and life. (Author: Bill Williams).
LIGHTING FUNDAMENTALS – This is an excellent introduction to Architectural Lighting. Provided as a text (only) document. (Author: (US EPA Office of Air and Radiation, 1995).
5.) MUSEUM AND GALLERY LIGHTING
DAYLIGHT – This short tutorial provides a basic introduction to daylight and the relationship between lighting levels and preferred color temperatures is discussed (the ‘Kurithof curve’). Preferred color temperatures for viewing art is also presented. (Author: Tailored Lighting Inc.)
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION – This short text tutorial provides a brief (basic) introduction to ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB). Ultraviolet radiation limits for museums and art galleries are also discussed. (Author: Tailored Lighting Inc, USA).
6.) PHOTOGRAPHIC, FILM, and VIDEO LIGHTING
BLUE SCREEN PAGE – (Film/Video) This information page gives an introduction to Blue Screen, Chroma-Key and Ultimatt techniques (used for film and video composite imaging). The proper lighting necessary to insure the success of these techniques is also discussed. (Author: Steven Bradford).
7.) STAGE, THEATRE and ENTERTAINMENT LIGHTING
COLOR FRAME SIZES –This is a quick reference table, listing color frame sizes for many common stage lighting fixtures. This information is intended to assist the lighting professional in calculating color media requirements for an ‘unknown’ fixture type.
ELECTRICAL POWER ABROAD – Here is a listing of power systems in various countries around the world. Data includes, power system type (ac or dc), voltage, frequency (hertz) and phase information. Graphic illustrations of common connectors (plugs and sockets) are also included. This information is based on a handbook published in 1998 by the US Department of Commerce. (from the MTE Corporation).
LIGHTING PIPE SPECIFICATIONS – Schedule 40/80 pipes are often used for entertainment lighting applications. Here is a quick reference chart showing common inside and outside diameters for common pipe sizes. (Author: Bill Williams).
THE COMPLETE SHOP ORDER – Here is an excellent overview of the ‘shop order’, one of the most important documents produced by the professional lighting designer for many stage productions. (Author: John McKernon, designer and creator of ‘Lightwright’ and ‘Beamwright’.)
THE MOVING LIGHT RESOURCE – This is lighting site with technical specifications for many different automated fixtures.
stage lighting 101
STAGE LIGHTING DESIGN 101 – This is a comprehensive reference on stage and entertainment lighting design. It is provided in the following chapters. (Author: Bill Williams)
AN INTRODUCTION TO STAGE LIGHTING – (Part 1) – This is an introduction to lighting design including; objectives of lighting design and the quantities and properties of light.
GENERAL DESIGN METHODS – (Part 2) – Here is an introduction to general lighting design methods and techniques, including the McCandless method and others.
APPLIED DESIGN METHODS – (Part 3) – This is a quick overview of lighting applications. Included are theatre, opera, dance, outdoor, architectural, display and more.
PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING PROCEDURE – (Part 4) – Here is an outline of a procedure often used for professional lighting design. Topics include development of the lighting concept and the actual mechanics of design, including the lighting plot, lighting section, schedules, the focus session and level setting.
STAGE LIGHTING FIXTURES – (Part 5) – This is an introduction to stage lighting fixtures. Basic fixture types and their related lighting applications are discussed. Fixture types include the ellipsoidal reflector, fresnel, Par, floodlight, striplight and others.
STAGE LIGHTING MECHANICS – (Part 6) – This is an introduction to beam spread and illuminance. Learn how to select a spotlight for any application based on the relationships between distance, illuminance, area size and beam spread.
LIGHTING DESIGN EDUCATION – (Part 7) – Here are a few thoughts and comments from the author on the topic of lighting education for the stage lighting designer.
