The document from IES Light Logic provides guidance on selecting different types of light sources—point, linear, and area—each offering varying intensity and shadow effects for residential lighting. Point sources, like incandescent and LED lamps, provide intense light suitable for accenting features, while linear sources are better for ambient lighting, and area sources use large surfaces to diffuse light softly. The document emphasizes the importance of understanding these options to achieve desired lighting effects in home environments.

1. www.IESLightLogic.org
Light Logic aims to help
consumers learn about residential
lighting best practices, design,
energy efficiency and all topics
regarding lighting a home.
Visit Light Logic at:
www.IESLightLogic.org

2. Choosing The Right Light Source: Point, Linear
and Area
What You Need To Know About
Choosing Your Light Source
•How light is emitted from a source
determines how objects appearPoint
sources are intense sources that emit
light from a point and accentuate
shadowsLinear sources are soft
sources that emit light from the lamp
surface and soften shadowsArea
sources are room surfaces reflecting
light, resulting in very soft distribution
How light is emitted from a source
determines how objects appearPoint
sources are intense sources that emit
Objects lighted by a point source. © Jay Graham
Photographer and made available from Acuity
light from a point and accentuate
Brands Lighting, Inc. shadowsLinear sources are soft
Click here to read the full article
sources that emit light from the lamp
surface and soften shadowsArea
sources are room surfaces reflecting
light, resulting in very soft distribution

3. Choosing The Right Light Source: Point, Linear
and Area
Know The Different Light Sources
An important step to get the right effect from your lighting is to know
whether the light source you want to use is a point source, linear
source or area source, which provide a palette of choices ranging
from a high level of intensity and shadowing for point sources to very
little intensity and shadowing for area sources.
Objects lighted by a point Objects lighted by a linear Objects lighted by an area
source. source. source.

4. Choosing The Right Light Source: Point, Linear
and Area
Point Sources
Point sources are small lamps (light bulbs),
often using a clear outer glass bulb that reveals
the arc tube or bare incandescent filament.
Incandescent, halogen and LED lamps are
typically point sources. The light produced by
point sources is generally intense, and more Objects lighted by a point
likely to produce pronounced shadows. As a source. © Jay Graham
Photographer and made
result, point sources are ideally suited to available from Acuity Brands
accent lighting—individually highlighting art Lighting, Inc.
and other focal points in a space—and any Click here to read the full article
application where we want to accentuate detail
through shadow, such as grazing a brick wall
to visually enrich its texture.
, often using a clear outer glass bulb that
reveals the arc tube or bare incandescent
filament. Incandescent, halogen and LED
lamps are typically point sources. The light
produced by point sources is generally intense,

5. Choosing The Right Light Source: Point, Linear
and Area
Linear Sources
Linear sources emit diffuse output from the
surface of the lamp, softening shadows.
Tubular and compact fluorescent lamps are
examples of linear sources. These lamps can
be very effective for ambient lighting in work
areas, cove lighting and wall washing for large Objects lighted by a linear
surfaces. source. © Jay Graham
Photographer and made
available from Acuity Brands
Lighting, Inc.
Click here to read the full article

6. Choosing The Right Light Source: Point, Linear
and Area
Area Sources
Area sources are not electric lamps but instead
large non-specular surfaces that reflect or emit
diffused light output, such as a ceiling reflecting
light from an indirect luminaire (light fixture), or
the surface of a luminous bowl pendant
luminaire.
When washing a light-color wall with light, for Objects lighted by an area
source. © Jay Graham
example, the wall itself will become a light Photographer and made
source in the space, reflecting light from the available from Acuity Brands
Lighting, Inc.
wall to other parts of the space.
Click here to read the full article

7. www.IESLightLogic.org
Light Logic aims to help
consumers learn about residential
lighting best practices, design,
energy efficiency and all topics
regarding lighting a home.
Visit Light Logic at:
www.IESLightLogic.org