Our images can be illuminated well from above or below and we commonly see both approaches. The materials and processes used in your image’s manufacture were designed to react to light.  One thing is for sure – with the variety of fixtures/bulbs, the long reach of new LED spotlights and similar products there is ALWAYS a relatively easy way to illuminate your art!

We like to use spots vs floods in the gallery but in general the lighting goal is a nice uniform amount of light distributed evenly across the image as much as possible.  A key consideration is to avoid reflections from the lights in the areas where your image will be viewed most because (like all framed images and glass fronts) the lighting will reflect from the surface of your new image. Typically, an angle from above or below at 30 degrees is used. You can also light your image diagonally up or down and/or sideways.

Every location is different – if your fixtures are close to the image you may want to use floods instead of spots!  It all depends roughly on the “beam angle” of the bulb.  Remember – you want to achieve a uniform, even lighting on your image and avoid bulb-reflection into your eyes.

If you don’t have a conveniently located fixture don’t worry!  There is ALWAYS a way to get light onto your image.  The LED spots below can shoot a wonderful beam up to 40+ feet.  People often illuminate from below (which works great) using simple, free-standing cans sitting on a coffee table or floor. Also, “art light” bars which can be mounted right above your image work quite well.

We like to use LED spots but we also like a color temperature around 2700-3000k which is basically the same as common halogen spots. We do not commonly find acceptable LED spotlights at Lowe’s or Home Depot but instead we order them online.  We like the “SORAA” brand of led PAR 30 bulbs wherever you may find them!