Ben Carter
Foot-candles are a unit of illuminance or illumination, used to measure light levels. One foot-candle is equal to the light produced by a candle at a distance of one foot, or one lumen per square foot. Foot-candles are commonly used in the US lighting industry, as well as in museums, galleries, and cinematography to calculate and control lighting levels. The term predates electricity, but remains relevant in modern lighting design, especially in commercial and industrial spaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A unit of illuminance or illumination |
| Equivalent to the illumination produced by a source of one candle at a distance of one foot | |
| Equal to one lumen incident per square foot | |
| Abbreviation | FC |
| Usage | Used in the US lighting industry, museums, galleries, motion picture cinematography, and horticulture |
| Used to calculate adequate lighting levels | |
| Used to measure and quantify light levels in commercial or industrial spaces | |
| Used when location scouting and testing lights on a set | |
| Conversion | 1 foot-candle = 10.76 lux |
| Typically rounded to around 10 lux for convenience |
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What You'll Learn
- Foot-candles are a unit of illuminance or illumination
- One foot-candle is equivalent to the light of one candle at a distance of one foot
- Foot-candles are used to calculate lighting levels in workplaces, stores, and outdoor spaces
- Foot-candles are used in cinematography to set up lighting-contrast ratios
- Lux is the metric system equivalent of foot-candles
Foot-candles are a unit of illuminance or illumination
The term 'foot-candle' originated before electricity was invented, when beeswax candles were the primary source of lighting. One foot-candle is equivalent to the illumination produced by a single candle at a distance of one foot, equal to one lumen per square foot. This unit of measurement is useful for determining the quantity of light that falls on a surface, which can vary depending on factors such as shades or covers that may block light from a source.
In cinematography and photography, foot-candles are used to measure light levels and compare them to expected and actual light levels in a given space. This is important for capturing the desired image, as light is a key artistic and technical component of photography and filmmaking. Foot-candles are also used in horticulture to measure the optimum light intensity for different plants, as light is a critical factor in photosynthesis.
The use of foot-candles as a unit of measurement is particularly relevant in the US, where the Imperial system of measurement is more commonly used. The equivalent unit of measurement in the metric system is lux. One foot-candle is equal to approximately 10 lux (10.76 lux to be precise).
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One foot-candle is equivalent to the light of one candle at a distance of one foot
Foot-candles are a unit of illuminance or illumination, measuring the amount of light that falls upon a surface. The term dates back to when beeswax candles were the primary source of lighting, and one foot-candle is equivalent to the light emitted by one candle at a distance of one foot. This is equal to one lumen per square foot.
Foot-candles are used to calculate the required lighting in workplaces, stores, and outdoor spaces, and are especially useful for lighting design specialists and project managers. They are also used in museums and galleries to ensure lighting is adequate but not so bright as to damage light-sensitive objects. In cinematography, foot-candles are used to calculate the intensity of motion picture lights, and in horticulture, they are used to measure the optimum light intensity for plants.
The foot-candle is an Imperial unit, and the metric equivalent is the lux. One foot-candle is equal to 10.76 lux, though this is often rounded to 10 for convenience. Lux is defined as the quantity of light that falls on a surface with an area of one square foot that is one metre away from a candle.
Foot-candles are useful because they are consistent, and they do not change when camera settings do. This helps cinematographers determine camera settings such as aperture and ISO, as well as how much light is needed.
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Foot-candles are used to calculate lighting levels in workplaces, stores, and outdoor spaces
Foot-candles are a unit of illuminance, or illumination, used to measure light levels. One foot-candle is the equivalent of the light produced by a single candle at a distance of one foot, or one lumen per square foot. The term predates electricity, stemming from when beeswax candles were the primary source of lighting.
Foot-candles are used to calculate lighting levels in a variety of settings, including workplaces, stores, and outdoor spaces. They are commonly employed in the lighting industry, as well as in museums, galleries, and cinematography, where lighting levels must be carefully controlled. For example, in museums, lighting must be managed to conserve light-sensitive objects such as photographs and paintings, which can fade when exposed to bright light over time. In cinematography, foot-candles are used to determine the intensity of lights, helping cinematographers set up the proper lighting ratios for filming.
In the context of workplaces and stores, foot-candles are used to ensure adequate lighting for various tasks and to create a comfortable environment for employees and customers. Lighting design specialists and project managers may use foot-candle readings to quantify light levels in commercial or industrial spaces. By comparing existing light levels to expected and desired levels, they can propose efficient lighting fixtures and systems that meet the specific needs of a space.
Foot-candles are also relevant in outdoor spaces, such as athletic fields. For example, a sign at an athletic field in Brooklyn, NY, states that "bleacher use is restricted to daylight hours providing a light level greater than one (1) foot-candle at walking surfaces." This indicates that foot-candles are used to determine the suitability of outdoor spaces for specific activities or uses based on lighting conditions.
Additionally, foot-candles are used in horticulture to determine the optimum light intensity for various plants. By measuring light levels in foot-candles, horticulturalists can ensure that plants receive the appropriate amount of light for their growth and photosynthesis.
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Foot-candles are used in cinematography to set up lighting-contrast ratios
Foot-candles, a term that dates back to when candles were the primary source of light, are a unit of measurement for illuminance or light intensity. One foot-candle is defined as the illuminance produced by a standard candle that is one foot away from the subject, or, in other words, the quantity of light from a standard candle that falls on a surface with an area of one square foot that is one foot away. This unit is commonly used in the United States, where imperial units are standard, whereas the rest of the world uses the metric system's lux, which is defined as one lumen per square meter.
In cinematography, foot-candles are used to measure the intensity of light on a subject. Cinematographers use incident light meters to measure the number of foot-candles present, which they then use to calculate the intensity of motion picture lights, allowing them to set up lighting-contrast ratios. This is an important aspect of cinematography, as light is the "heart and soul" of capturing a beautiful image.
Foot-candles are also used in photography, where photographers use light meters to measure the amount of light in a scene. This allows them to understand how light falls on a surface, which is crucial for capturing the images they envision.
Additionally, foot-candles are used in the US lighting industry by architects to calculate adequate lighting levels. They are also used in museums and galleries to control lighting levels to conserve light-sensitive objects such as prints, photographs, and paintings, which can fade when exposed to bright light for extended periods. Horticulturalists also use foot-candles to discuss and measure the optimum light intensity for various plants, as light intensity is a key factor in photosynthesis.
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Lux is the metric system equivalent of foot-candles
Foot-candles are a unit of illuminance or illumination, measuring how much light is emitted onto a surface. The term dates back to when beeswax candles were the primary source of lighting, and one foot-candle is equal to the light produced by a candle at a distance of one foot. This is equivalent to one lumen per square foot. Foot-candles are used to calculate adequate lighting levels in workplaces, stores, and outdoor spaces, and are especially important in museums and galleries, where lighting must be carefully controlled to conserve light-sensitive objects.
The metric system equivalent of foot-candles is lux. One lux is the quantity of light that falls on a surface with an area of one square metre that is one metre away from a candle. Lux is used in the metric system, while foot-candles are used in the imperial system. In cinematography and photography, both lux and foot-candles are used to measure light, and every light will have specifications listed in both units.
The conversion between the two units is one foot-candle equals 10.76 lux. This is typically rounded to 10 lux to simplify conversions. Lux and foot-candles do not change when camera settings are altered, which makes them useful for determining camera settings like aperture and ISO.
Lighting design specialists and project managers use foot-candle readings to measure and quantify light levels in commercial or industrial spaces. They perform on-site audits and use 3D lighting design and modelling software to propose more efficient fixtures that meet or exceed light level requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
A foot-candle is a unit of illuminance or illumination, which is equivalent to the light produced by a candle at a distance of one foot. It is equal to one lumen per square foot.
Lux is another term used to measure the same thing as a foot-candle. The difference is that lux is based on the metric system, while foot-candles use the Imperial system. One foot-candle is equal to 10.76 lux, which is typically rounded to 10 lux for convenience.
Foot-candles are used to calculate lighting levels in various industries, including architecture, museums, galleries, cinematography, and horticulture. They help determine the adequate amount of light needed in different spaces.
Foot-candles can be measured using a light meter, which quantifies light levels in a given space. This data is then used in 3D lighting design software to create a digital blueprint for lighting design and planning.
