Lighting Terminology: The Glossary
Confused by all the acronyms? Here is a quick guide to the most common terms you will encounter in the world of studio lighting.
Bowens Mount
The most common standard for attaching accessories (like softboxes) to a studio light. If your light has a “Bowens Mount,” you have access to thousands of affordable modifiers.
COB (Chip on Board)
A type of LED technology where multiple LED chips are packaged together as a single lighting module. COB lights are known for being very bright and efficient, acting like a single point source of light.
CRI (Color Rendering Index)
A score from 0 to 100 that measures how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of an object compared to natural sunlight. Aim for a CRI of 95+ for professional video and photography.
Color Temperature (Kelvin)
Measured in Kelvin (K), this describes the “warmth” or “coolness” of light.
- 3200K: Warm / Tungsten (Yellowish, like a sunset or old bulb).
- 5600K: Daylight (Neutral white, like noon sunlight).
Diffusion
Material placed in front of a light source to soften it. Diffusion spreads the light out, reducing harsh shadows and creating a flattering look for skin.
Fresnel
A type of lens with stepped rings that can focus a light beam. A Fresnel lens allows you to change a light from “Flood” (wide) to “Spot” (narrow) and increases the intensity.
High-Speed Sync (HSS)
A flash feature that allows you to use a shutter speed faster than your camera’s native sync speed (usually 1/200s or 1/250s). Essential for shooting outdoors with wide apertures.
Key Light
The main light source in a scene. It is usually the brightest light and determines the exposure and mood of the subject.
Rim Light (Backlight)
A light placed behind the subject to separate them from the background. It creates a glowing outline around the hair and shoulders.
Softbox
A large enclosure that goes around a light bulb to scatter the light. The larger the softbox relative to the subject, the softer and more flattering the light will be.