Shapes, Patterns and Light

Light, when used well, reveals colour, shapes and patterns in that which it illuminates.

The images below were taken at Euroluce in Milan recently and illustrate both the effects of light and some of the shapes used to create new lighting which in turn create shapes, shadows and patterns within the light fitting.

All of these images are created with LED light.  LED's great strength is the ability to make light fittings in all shapes and sizes and particularly where miniaturisation is required.  Yet despite this great strength LEDs always manage to somewhat disappoint.  This is due to not being a full spectrum light in the way that tungsten lighting is.  The result is a rather flat or dead light which, lacking sparkle, renders a subject ever so slightly dull.

That said and within the constraints of the technology the following images illustrate some interesting shapes, contrasts and patterns created by light.  Some of the images illustrate the effects of lighting whilst others the shapes and patterns of the fittings themselves.

(One of these images was not taken at Euroluce but in natural daylight.  It will be easy to spot.)

This image is a poor representation of the actual scene.  Here it looks like two shades of blue as in an abstract painting.  In reality the light blue is the effect of blue light being cast on to a black painted wall.  The line between the two blocks represents the edge of a wall in front of the lighter blue. 

Close up of a hand blown glass shade with an LED reflected multiple times in the imperfections and ripples of the glass.

Clusters of glass tubes, some containing LED luminaires and some without, create repeating vertical shapes emphasised by the contrast between those that are lit and those which are unlit.

This is the odd one out.  This wall and doorway is modelled with natural daylight on a cloudy day.  This softened light renders the textures and shadows clearly.

Hogweed, lit from below, not only emphasises the plant structure but throws shadows onto the background creating a beautiful contrast to the lit plants.

A wall finish comprising strong straight verticals and contrasting curves emphasised by strong downward light highlighting the grooves and the edges of the structure.

These light fittings from Santa & Cole create interesting objects in their own right. They have an architectural feel with the slats softening the light and eliminating all glare from the fitting.

The structure and shape of this wall is emphasised by the side lighting enabling the shadows to contrast with the light.

Rough textured columns with strong directional downlighting between the columns emphasise the texture of the wall finish.

This light fitting by Davide Groppi consists of acrylic bars with an LED strip along the back edge.  The light is then reflected back from the white wall and diffused through the acrylic bars creating shading along their length.

An end on view of a suspended pendant light showing details of the bronze detailing contrasting with the glass.

This window into the Bomma stand creates contrast between the interior and exterior colours.