Hello folks, I am looking for help in choosing ceiling mount light fixtures for illuminating artwork that will be hung on the wall. I am looking for the type of preferred light fixture or type of device used to produce the light (LED, halogen etc.) and also the distance from the wall the ceiling installed fixtures should be mounted.
My wife and I are doing a remodel on our modest house. I am lucky that she will allow me to finally print and hang some of my photographs in one or two of the rooms. During the remodel I will be able to install ceiling mounted lights and also hide the wires in the ceiling. I consider myself lucky that she is allowing me to do this so would like to take full advantage for the best results possible.
Lighting has changed over the past few years. LED lighting seems to be popular these days but I am not sure if they are the correct choice for illuminating artwork. I suppose color temperature is an important aspect of choosing the light source. Interestingly enough we have noticed that the dimmable LED lights that we are installing do not seem to change color temperature as incandescent lights do depending on the intensity of the setting.
My guess is that I will need some sort of a socket/eyeball fixture that allows me to point the light at the wall and also adjust the degree of angle.
I think my largest concern is glare from the light source obscuring the view, so I am guessing that the distance from the wall is an important aspect.
This may also bring into the topic the type of mounting, framing and/or glass in front of the photograph. I have seen some fantastic prints and art galleries that seem to almost look as if they were backlit by a computer screen. I'm sure the materials and methods used for the print are an important topic in itself. After the remodel when I focus my attention on learning how to print I'm sure I will be looking for information on this topic as well.
A quick Google search resulted in some useful information here
Posted by Scott Fricke on June 10, 2013 at 2:31 AM
As you mentioned color temperature is important and that info is readily available. Also note that bulbs themselves come in different projection angles as well, from around 7 degrees to 30 degrees or more. This can help to fine-tune the spread of light on the wall. You can get more expensive light fixtures that have adjustable baffles to customize the light spread to the art work or you can use the different types of bulbs to do the same thing.
As far as the distance away for the light fixtures, it depends on the size of the area you want to illuminate, the height of the ceiling, the type of fixtures, and the type of bulb you are going to use. You don't want to get the light fixtures so close they don't light the artwork properly or too far away that people standing looking at the wall block the light (more of a concern with low ceilings). The key thing is to look at the specifications of different fixtures and bulbs which will give you all the light spread characteristics so you can place the fixtures at the appropriate distance. Also remember that different types of bulbs project light farther than others. Halogen bulbs typically project farther than incandescent, and fluorescent bulbs don't project very far at all, this info can be found on the website of the manufacturer. Installing dimmers on your lights will also give you more control over the light. I tend to like track lights so that you have more adjustability over where you can put the lights and how you aim them. Some people don't like the look of the track so another option is using what is called a monopod mount. It is a fixed mount that uses the same track light head that can still rotate and tilt.
You mentioned reflections, I have almost totally gone to the using Duraplaq mounted photos that are non-glare and typically less than the cost of matting/framing/glass, especially is you go to the expense of non-glare/museum glass. Duraplaq also can mount photos on acrylic, which gives that "backlit" look when correctly lit. More than distance from the wall as you stated, angle of the light hitting the artwork is key to reducing reflections, a trick to reduce reflections is to "cross" the light fixtures instead of shining them straight a piece of art, for example if you have 2 photos, aim the left light at the right photo and the right light at the left photo. This will also help if logistically can't put the light fixtures far enough from the wall, crossing the fixtures will give you extra distance.
thanks for the reply, lots of good info here. I especially like the idea of cross lighting. I have a few places where this can be done. Also thanks for the printing info. I checked out the Duraplaq website ad am interested in acrylic mounting.
Cheers,
Discussion
3 repliesMy wife and I are doing a remodel on our modest house. I am lucky that she will allow me to finally print and hang some of my photographs in one or two of the rooms. During the remodel I will be able to install ceiling mounted lights and also hide the wires in the ceiling. I consider myself lucky that she is allowing me to do this so would like to take full advantage for the best results possible.
Lighting has changed over the past few years. LED lighting seems to be popular these days but I am not sure if they are the correct choice for illuminating artwork. I suppose color temperature is an important aspect of choosing the light source. Interestingly enough we have noticed that the dimmable LED lights that we are installing do not seem to change color temperature as incandescent lights do depending on the intensity of the setting.
My guess is that I will need some sort of a socket/eyeball fixture that allows me to point the light at the wall and also adjust the degree of angle.
I think my largest concern is glare from the light source obscuring the view, so I am guessing that the distance from the wall is an important aspect.
This may also bring into the topic the type of mounting, framing and/or glass in front of the photograph. I have seen some fantastic prints and art galleries that seem to almost look as if they were backlit by a computer screen. I'm sure the materials and methods used for the print are an important topic in itself. After the remodel when I focus my attention on learning how to print I'm sure I will be looking for information on this topic as well.
Thank you in advance for any information or help.
As far as the distance away for the light fixtures, it depends on the size of the area you want to illuminate, the height of the ceiling, the type of fixtures, and the type of bulb you are going to use. You don't want to get the light fixtures so close they don't light the artwork properly or too far away that people standing looking at the wall block the light (more of a concern with low ceilings). The key thing is to look at the specifications of different fixtures and bulbs which will give you all the light spread characteristics so you can place the fixtures at the appropriate distance. Also remember that different types of bulbs project light farther than others. Halogen bulbs typically project farther than incandescent, and fluorescent bulbs don't project very far at all, this info can be found on the website of the manufacturer. Installing dimmers on your lights will also give you more control over the light. I tend to like track lights so that you have more adjustability over where you can put the lights and how you aim them. Some people don't like the look of the track so another option is using what is called a monopod mount. It is a fixed mount that uses the same track light head that can still rotate and tilt.
You mentioned reflections, I have almost totally gone to the using Duraplaq mounted photos that are non-glare and typically less than the cost of matting/framing/glass, especially is you go to the expense of non-glare/museum glass. Duraplaq also can mount photos on acrylic, which gives that "backlit" look when correctly lit. More than distance from the wall as you stated, angle of the light hitting the artwork is key to reducing reflections, a trick to reduce reflections is to "cross" the light fixtures instead of shining them straight a piece of art, for example if you have 2 photos, aim the left light at the right photo and the right light at the left photo. This will also help if logistically can't put the light fixtures far enough from the wall, crossing the fixtures will give you extra distance.
thanks for the reply, lots of good info here. I especially like the idea of cross lighting. I have a few places where this can be done. Also thanks for the printing info. I checked out the Duraplaq website ad am interested in acrylic mounting.
Cheers,