Picture Lights

Not only is the type of over picture light you choose important, but the way you install it is also crucial. If you want to get your picture wall lights right, follow these simple tips:

• Place the picture lamp in such a way that the beam of illumination shines somewhere in the middle of the piece. Doing so will eliminate hot spots, glare and shadows.

• Further avoid glare by placing a wall picture lamp directly above the artwork at a close distance. This will move the light right onto the picture at an angle that is steep enough to prevent glare.

• The standoff of lighting pictures on the wall the light fitting needs to be a bit wider than the frame itself to remove obstructions in the light’s beam. After sorting that out, you can work out the height at which you should mount the picture light — it needs to be the same height as the standoff.

• Large pieces of art with ample vertical space will need a photo light that has a bigger standoff than average.

• Generally speaking, picture frame lamps should be installed 1.5 to two times the width of the artwork away from the art.

• Position the picture light at the ideal angle of between 30 and 45 degrees to prevent disruptive shadows.

• Place the picture light fixture an inch above the standoff to generate a more even wash of light. With the light at that position, you can direct the light beam in such a way that it will also avoid glare.

Picture wall lights have their brightness indicated by lumens instead of watts. Generally speaking, one watt of LED light is indicated as 100 lumens.

To understand better how this translates, you can consider that:

A 3-watt LED bulb will shine the same amount of light as a 25-30 watt halogen bulb; a 5-watt LED bulb will shine the same amount of light as a 40-50 watt halogen bulb; and a 9-watt LED bulb will shine the same amount of light as a 60-watt halogen bulb.

When determining the proper lumen count for over picture lights, you should take into account the other light fixtures in the room and their lumen output. A picture light is used more as a complementary light source instead of a main source, providing ambience and mood to the area; it should not be used as the primary illumination.

Colour correlated temperature, or CCT, is another way to discuss the colour temperature of a picture sconce. CCT indicates the coolness or the warmth of a light as represented in degrees Kelvin. This colour falls on a spectrum rated between 1,000 and 10,000.

Toward the top of the spectrum is where you’ll find the coolest, bluest light. Conversely, the bottom of the spectrum houses the warmer light.

The colour temperature of a light certainly has an effect on the appearance of the painting or photography prints. Generally speaking, in order to have the artwork presented in the best possible light, it is recommended that you use modern picture lights somewhere between 2,700 and 3,000k. This will give you a clear look at the artwork without the light being harsh on the eyes.