The Difference Between Organic and Angular Shadows

Something I've been trying to observe lately is the difference between angular man made shadows and organic softer shadows.

In the first image you can see the deep angular shadows that roofline of the building casts into the courtyard. These shadows add drama and depth to the courtyard walls as they seem to dive downward. But more importantly they are geometric in their composition. They remind the viewer they are in a constructed environment. This vista makes no reminder to nature or to the outdoors

The next two images show what organic shadows. Notice the difference in how these shadows add richness and depth, but there is no simple geometry. The shadows on the doors of the shed play more like texture than they do angled lines. They drape over the surface, they do not cut it up or divide it. The richness matches that of the light coming through the trees.

Even this last shadow, while more geometric shows the difference between a perfect line cut by a straight line and a jagged bumpy one cut by the line of the tree.

So why is this important? Why should we care? Because the way we create and embrace shadows as lighting designers is just as important has how we carve out light. Darkness and shadow are natural phenomena and how we use that shadow builds interest and adds depth to our compositions. Think about that the next time you're adding a sky light or flood lighting a deck...or lighting a piece of Shakespeare. How we create shadow is just as important as how we create light.

Something I've been trying to observe lately is the difference between angular man made shadows and organic softer shadows. In the first image you can see the deep angular shadows that roofline of the building casts into the courtyard. These shadows add drama and depth to the courtyard walls as the ... http://jpblighting.posterous.com/the-difference-between-organic-and-angular-sh

Amazing Night Sky

I took these photos in Queens at 2am. The clouds are lit from the ambient light of this residential neighborhood. I thought the light was amazing so I had to photograph the scene. While the images create a certain haunting look, they also make an example of just how much light we are bouncing off into the sky. City dwellers...how do you feel about the way the city looks at night? Do you enjoy the safety and ease of transit? Do you miss the stars?

See and download the full gallery on posterous

I took these photos in Queens at 2am. The clouds are lit from the ambient light of this residential neighborhood. I thought the light was amazing so I had to photograph the scene. While the images create a certain haunting look, they also make an example of just how much light we are bouncing off in ... http://jpblighting.posterous.com/amazing-night-sky

How would you replicate the sun?

... http://jpblighting.posterous.com/how-would-you-replicate-the-sun

Focus notes

What's your process for taking focus notes? Especially for the long term. I'm working out a process now involving my camera, my laptop and my iPad. The trouble is it requires a wifi network and might not be appropriate for all sites. How do you handle this need for long term documentation?What's your process for taking focus notes? Especially for the long term. I'm working out a process now involving my camera, my laptop and my iPad. The trouble is it requires a wifi network and might not be appropriate for all sites. How do you handle this need for long term documentation? ... http://jpblighting.posterous.com/focus-notes

A Group for #Lighting Designers on Facebook

So I've been toying with this idea for awhile now about starting a group on Facebook for Lighting Designers of different disciplines to talk about current issues, project specific problems/challenges, and the growth and movement of the industry more broadly. Increasingly, I find the challenges faced by both entertainment and architectural lighting designers are increasingly overlapping. 

Challenges like...

The continuing demand in the market place and culturally for more efficient lighting design.

The rapid advancement of lighting technology

The increased integration of lighting and video technologies.

To the group is an experiment in creating a place for designers to share information thoughts and ideas and see what comes of it. 

If you're an LD, why not join the group and begin posting what you're working on/thinking about or reading. If the group gains some traction...perhaps there are other outlets we can come up with that are public/private (a group posterous account springs to mind). In the meantime hop on the group page and let me know what you think. 

So I've been toying with this idea for awhile now about starting a group on Facebook for Lighting Designers of different disciplines to talk about current issues, project specific problems/challenges, and the growth and movement of the industry more broadly. Increasingly, I find the challenges faced ... http://jpblighting.posterous.com/a-group-for-lighting-designers-on-facebook

One of Europe's answers to the Incandescent Ban

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Came across this lamp while working here in Copenhagen. It's essentially a halogen tube in an A lamp shell. I tried it in a table lamp and it actually looked very good. According the packaging, the 28w lamp I tested generated 335 lumens.Came across this lamp while working here in Copenhagen. It's essentially a halogen tube in an A lamp shell. I tried it in a table lamp and it actually looked very good. According the packaging, the 28w lamp I tested generated 335 lumens. ... http://jpblighting.posterous.com/one-of-europes-answers-to-the-incandescent-ba

In case you were wondering...LED still isn't quite perfect

Over the past two weeks, I have had two different well known and well-respected LED manufacturers' products fail on me. In one case after less than 18 months on site the LEDs have shifted color dramatically and inconsistently. In other, the color specified was not the color delivered for an entire installation. I can't/won't name names, but as much as I want LED to take prominence, I'm constantly reminded, we're not there yet.Over the past two weeks, I have had two different well known and well-respected LED manufacturers' products fail on me. In one case after less than 18 months on site the LEDs have shifted color dramatically and inconsistently. In other, the color specified was not the color delivered for an entire i ... http://jpblighting.posterous.com/in-case-you-were-wonderingled-still-isnt-quit

I'm thinking about a starting and moderating a Lighting Designer group on Facebook....

My fellow lighting designers on FB and Twitter...would you be interested in sharing discussions, and ideas in an FB group? I'm interested in moderating one, but I want to get a feel for the interest level first...My fellow lighting designers on FB and Twitter...would you be interested in sharing discussions, and ideas in an FB group? I'm interested in moderating one, but I want to get a feel for the interest level first... ... http://jpblighting.posterous.com/im-thinking-about-a-starting-and-moderating-a