Light is the raw material of photography and videography. Whether you're setting up a portrait studio, configuring greenhouse lighting, or designing an office, understanding illuminance in lux is the key to getting the right light level.
Lux Requirements by Application
- Portrait studio (key light on subject): 10,000–50,000 lux
- Product photography: 5,000–20,000 lux
- Video production (studio): 1,000–5,000 lux
- Office work: 300–500 lux
- Hospital operating room: 10,000–100,000 lux
- Greenhouse (leafy greens): 10,000–20,000 lux
- Greenhouse (fruiting plants): 20,000–50,000 lux
- Overcast daylight: 1,000–2,000 lux
- Direct sunlight: 32,000–100,000 lux
Measuring Light
A lux meter measures illuminance at a specific point. Point it toward the light source for incident light, or toward the surface for reflected light. Smartphone apps can give rough readings but aren't as accurate as dedicated meters.
The inverse square law: doubling the distance from a light source reduces illuminance to ¼. A light giving 10,000 lux at 1 meter gives only 2,500 lux at 2 meters.
Lux vs Lumens vs Watts
Lumens: Total light output from a source. A 1,000-lumen bulb emits that much light in all directions.
Lux: Light arriving at a surface. 1 lux = 1 lumen/m². The same 1,000-lumen bulb produces different lux depending on distance and beam angle.
Watts: Power consumed, not light produced. Modern LEDs produce 100–200 lumens per watt. A 10W LED ≈ 1,000 lumens ≈ an old 75W incandescent.
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