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B&H glossary for Professional Video,

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Glossary for Lighting Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A
Abbreviation for Ampere or Amperage.

AC Voltage
An abridged version of Alternating Current Voltage.

Accent Light
Used to draw extra attention to one section of the subject, and add interest and sparkle.

Alternating Current Voltage
A voltage that undergoes cyclical changes in value and polarity, often represented as waves.

Ambient Light
The surrounding light exclusive of that being directed on a specific subject, usually non-directional.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
An independent industry-wide association that establishes standards to promote consistency and interchangeability among manufacturers.

Amp
An abridged version of Ampere.

Amperage (A)
The measure of electrical current in amperes.

Ampere (A)
A unit of measurement for Electrical Current.

Angle of Light
The angle formed between the light-subject axis and camera-subject axis. Both horizontal (H) and vertical (V) should be specified.
Examples: Camera-top light about 0° H, 5° V; rim Light 180° H & V; key light commonly 15° to 45° H and V.

Anode
An electrode that is positively charged, i.e. the electrode which electrical current moves toward.

ANSI
Abbreviation for American National Standards Institute

ANSI Code
A three letter system that has been devised to describe lamps of different manufacture but the same application. The letters have no relationship to lamp description, but the same letters always designate the same type of lamp. Some of the application parameters they define are wattage, base type, envelope size and light center length.

Aperture

The planar opening within the optical system of a luminaire that defines the total amount of usable light created by the optical system.
A circular ring that attaches to the front of a snoot used in the film and video industries to alter the size and light center strength.

Arc
The light caused by an electrical discharge between two electrodes in a gas such as xenon, argon or air. The first usable arc as a practical light source was developed in 1809 by Sir Humphrey Davy.