Tip for Today #3: The Basics of Color Temperature
Color temperature is how we describe the hue of white light. Now you might be saying, but white is white, right? Well, actually white light comes in a variety of hues all the way from golden candlelight, up to a very cool blue Northern daylight. We describe color temperature in exactly that temperature; degrees Kelvin. Degrees Kelvin actually can be converted to degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit. It’s the same thing.
So typical candlelight is 1800K, most residences in the United States like warm white light bulbs and lamps that’s 2700K. Many offices and retail throughout the United States like 3,500K as more of a neutral white light. If you’re standing in an open field with both Northern skylight and direct sunlight, that’s typically 5600K, but there really is no correct white light.
It is really whatever you want to set your ambience. So you’ll see many cafes and restaurants really prefer a much more golden, warmer light. Most retail stores want a more neutral white so the merchandise is more naturally presented. But it’s really personal preference. Daylight ranges wildly. The beautiful setting sun is a very deep golden color, 2000K whereas Northern light on a cold winter’s day can be upwards of 10,000K.