Most light sources have a particular standardized size and shape that affects how objects and surfaces will be illuminated.
Point sources are small lamps, often featuring a clear outer glass bulb revealing the arc tube or bare incandescent filament, used to produce dramatic highlights and pronounced shadows.
Geometric objects lighted by a point source. Photo courtesy of Peter Ngai of PEERLESS LIGHTING.
Linear sources, such as tubular fluorescent lamps, emit diffuse output from the surface of the lamp, softening shadows.
Geometric objects lighted by a linear source. Photo courtesy of Peter Ngai of PEERLESS LIGHTING.
Area sources are not lamps but instead large surfaces that emit diffuse light, such as ceilings reflecting illumination from an indirect luminaire, or the surface of a luminous bowl pendant luminaire.
Geometric objects lighted by an area source. Photo courtesy of Peter Ngai of PEERLESS LIGHTING.
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