Luminaire is a Cinematography term in filmmaking. In virtual production, the nuances of this term take on special meaning. Here, we break down the definition to give you a starting point.
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A luminaire is a discrete device specifically designed to create the best lighting conditions for filming and other visual mediums. Luminaires are usually composed of multiple lights that can be manipulated with individually adjustable intensities in order to recreate the desired look on screen accurately. They are considered "lamps" because they emit light rather than just reflecting it like traditional lighting rigs.
When looking at what brands or examples of luminaires exist for virtual production, one might consider Kino Flo Celeb 200q DMX, Quasar Science Q-Tranzsformer RGBWZCKHU, Digital Sputnik DSX400FVYMVVFJGQP, ARRI SkyPanel S60-C, or even Dracast ProCeoVXDQ. Each of these different models provide distinct advantages when creating natural or artificial light scenes.
The distinction between luminaires and LEDs used in virtual production must also be considered. While both have their uses, only luminaires can truly be customized for each individual shot’s needs. On the other hand, LEDs such as those found on LED Panels will never give you the same level of precision and control. Additionally, due to their more sophisticated design, luminaires tend to consume less power while providing higher-quality images compared to other types of light sources.