I don’t understand why they came into popularity
I find them very harsh on the eyes
The top down light casts ugly shadows on the face and just feels downright uncomfortable
I much prefer light that hits the ceiling and bounces back to light you up
Is it just me or???
Edit: the recessed lights do have a white glaze on them, which to me seem to act as diffusers but somehow they don’t really do a great job
Dimmable and a warmer color temp such as 2700K. It’s not just you.
Lighter floors and to a lesser degree walls/furniture. They reflect the downlight to softly fill shadows.
Recessed lights can be part of a layered lighting strategy, but on their own they are terrible. If you’re considering them, use a gimbaled recessed light and illuminate a wall rather than the floor below. The wall acts as a large diffuse bounce light all while the light source is angled away from the viewer to dramatically ameliorate glare. -I’m a lighting designer.
@Avery
>e. If you’re considering them, use a gimbaled recessed light and illuminate a wall rather than the floor below. The wall acts as a large diffuse bounce light all while the light source is angled away from the viewer to dramatically ameliorate glare.
So would a 120 degree diffuser be better than 30 degree for ambiance say in a kitchen if you’re not that concerned about task lighting?
@Leslie
In isolation, I don’t care that the optic on a light fixture is spreading it 120 degrees, I care about what that 120 degree spread is hitting and if I can see the point source from where it is emitting. That tells me if a fixture is appropriate or not.
Diffusion can fix a bit of the problem you’re having. A diffuser will make the light scatter and blend more causing it to reflect off of surfaces at more angles causing a more even glow. But yes, light from above does have a weird effect and can be “uncomforting”.
Get some table lamps.
‘Harshness’ can be attributed to glare from seeing the actual light source (bulb or LED). Consider using deep regressed recessed lighting to combat the glare, e.g. LotusLED Lights
They make indirect recess lights. I’ve never used one though. I’m going to get one to see if I like it. I prefer recess lights over lamps. I really like indirect light too. I’ve just never dabbled with it.
in-direct is best. color temperature would help in some situations. #1 rule: see the effects not the source
I live in a rental and they’ve set the recessed light to the most fluorescent setting. They’re telling me they can’t change the tone on the lights. Is there some kind of filter or decal I can put over it to make the lights a bit warmer and less blinding??
@Azriel
Bit late, idk if you ever got an answer, but you might be able to pull them out, and if they are the right type and not too old, they will have a switch to adjust the color temp, then you can just put them back in!
@Azriel
Old comment but if you’re still looking, the answer is yes. They’re called gels, and they’re widely used in theatrical and film lighting. You buy it by the sheet and cut it to size. Your local camera store probably stocks gels, or you can buy them from B&H Photo.
If the light is too cool and you want to warm it up, look for Rosco CTO gels (CTO=Color Temperature Orange). If the fixture truly is fluorescent then it’s going to have a lot of green in it, so you can use the Rosco Minusgreen (which is essentially a magenta gel).
These all come in varying strengths, from 1/8 to full. A full CTO gel will take a 5600K (daylight) fixture down to 3200K (tungsten). A half-CTO gets you halfway there, etc.
You want what we call a quiet light in the biz. Those cost money. Go to a lighting supplier that has a good reputation and tell them you need a quiet downlight. They cost money, becuase they utilize good optics/reflectors. They work well.
@Whit
How do you find a reputable lighting supplier, in say, Denver?
Rowan said:
@Whit
How do you find a reputable lighting supplier, in say, Denver?
Fair question. Call CT lighting and Controls. Tell them (verbatim) that you’re an *end user* looking for a quiet downlight and could they refer you to a reputable lighting showroom or lighting buyer that will work with you to show you some options. They won’t be able to work with you, but will definitely know who will.
@Whit
Why does this sound like a drug deal?
Vesper said:
@Whit
Why does this sound like a drug deal?
Because the lighting industry is two steps above the mafia.
Rowan said:
@Whit
How do you find a reputable lighting supplier, in say, Denver?
Visual Comfort lighting will help you!
add diffusion (eg. frost gel, etc)