LED is short for Light Emitting Diode. This type of lighting is semiconductor powered and with recent developments in technology is capable of emitting as much light as a regular light bulb without the energy loss in the form of heat. This type of lighting is more energy efficient and will outlast any regular light bulb available in the market place today. California which is always the countries front runner on energy saving and environmental protection laws is in the process of passing and impending ban on all incandescent light bulbs by 2010, this alone stands as a testament that LED lighting can be used in all aspects of daily life as a viable alternative to the incandescent light bulb.

Lets Look at the differences between Light Emitting Diodes and other conventional lighting available today:

First we have old faithful Incandescent lights which create light by running a current through a thin filament which heats it to a high enough temperature therefore producing visible light. This process is highly inefficient because 98 percent of the energy used to create light using this process is lost in the form of heat. The typical life span of an Incandescent light is about 1000 hours.

Fluorescent lamps work by passing a current thru a mercury vapor, which in turn produces ultra violet light, which is then absorbed inside the light by a phosphorous coating which will begin to glow. This process is more efficient then the incandescent light, however energy is lost by creating the ultra violet light which is then absorbed by the coating to give off the light. In addition the mercury vapor can be dangerous to your health if the lamp breaks. Fluorescent lamps have a much longer lifespan then the incandescent’s do. The lifespan of a fluorescent light is about 10,000 hours.

Now lets get to the LED Light. This lighting achieves its illumination by clustering Light Emitting Diodes in an orderly fashion, thereby creating a unified beam. This cluster can consist of many white LED’s or a mixed group of colored LED’s which when grouped together give off white light. The advantages of Light Emitting Diodes are:

No Tube or filament to break
Light Emitting Diodes have a longer lifespan than incandescent and fluorescent lights
Power consumption is lower then any of the others
Due to their small size they can be sued in many different types of lighting applications.
Very little energy is lost to heat.

LED lighting emits more light per unit of current then most of today’s conventional lighting therefore making it the number one choice for energy saving light available. Energy bills can be reduced by up to 30 percent by switching over to this light source. Due to their construction Light Emitting Diodes are very durable they generally last 100 times longer then conventional lighting products. Since this type of lighting does not emit heat it poses little to no danger in the form of contributing to causing a fire. The longevity of this type of lighting is hard to surpass. Generally LED lights will last up to 50 thousand hours, which gives them a life expecting of around 10 years before they need to be replaced.

Many forms of LED lighting are now available for every aspect of daily life. LED light bulbs are being used in flashlights, residential lighting, automotive as well as landscape lighting. More and more signs are also utilizing this light source. If you have looked at a stoplight really closely you will have seen a led light in action. Light Emitting Diodes are also breaking in to the arena of rope lighting, boat lights, and floodlights. Christmas tree lights are now also going to LED’s because of its many benefits not to mention that due to the fact that these lights do not give off large amounts of heat they are much safer to use on a Christmas tree then conventional Christmas tree lights

Experts in digital photography have come to realize that the digital camera is only one of the things you need to have great pictures. There are also other factors to consider so that you will not be disappointed by the result. One of them is the digital photography lighting.

Have you ever seen digital photos that seem to blur and indistinguishable? There are a lot of cases like this. Even if you try and edit them using Photoshop or any other software, you cannot seem to get the desired lighting you want.

This is because you have not considered having the proper lighting when the photo was taken. You were thinking that the camera and its features will be able to do that for you. Yes it can. But they may not reach your expectations.

The secret to getting that perfect picture is to do it right the first time. By doing it right, it simply means that you need to think about how well or bad the lighting is in the process of taking the photo.

Below are some of the natural sources of digital photography lighting that will make your photos look terrific.

1. After sunrise and before sunset

It is during these times that photography is at its peak. Meaning, photos turn out great when they are shoot after sunrise and before sunset.

Why is this so?

This is because the orange color that appears in the sky during these times adds to the colors that your digital camera is capable. Most of the time, some photos appear dull and unrealistic when they are printed because of the representation of the colors when it is printed.

The color of the environment can add a sort of brightness to your photos. In addition, it will make it easy for you to edit them on your computer once you feel that you want to put in some combination in the natural setting of the picture.

2. Sunlight

Sunlight is one form of lighting that is very effective once you know how to modify your shots. Keep in mind that you are not capable of altering the brightness of the sun or the shadows that it can create on your photos.

It is up for you to choose the best position wherein you can make the most of the light that is emitted by the sun. Work them to your advantage. Try on different angles and see if they look perfect once frozen.

You can also make the most of the drop shadows that is created by the sunlight. Just make sure that they will not blur your photo. Fro minor adjustments, you can just edit the photos straight from your computer.

Shooting digital photos is not only about having the most advanced digital camera. It is also about looking for strategies and techniques that will benefit your shots. Try to shoot your photos with the perfect lighting and you will see that you do not need to edit or add some more colors in them.

Most hardware stores and home improvement centers sell low voltage kits with a built-in transformer and a timer which lets you determine when the lighting is activated or deactivated.

The transformers use 120-volt current, which is standard in nearly all households. The transformer then converts the current to 12 volts resulting in a safe and economical power source.

A GFCI receptacle will be required to install low lighting. Most homes don’t have these receptacles and it will be necessary to have a licensed, qualified electrician to install one.

Before starting to dig, it’s absolutely necessary to contact your local utility companies (gas and electric) to make sure that you will not cut any existing underground cables or piping.

The first planning requirement involves deciding which type of outdoor lighting you will install. There are basically five from which to select.

Up-lights: These lights provide ground level illumination with the lights pointed up. The purpose of the up-light is to highlight points in the landscape, such as trees, and other architectural features. Up-light fixtures include spot and flood lights as well as in-ground fixtures.

Backlights: Back-lighting can create a very dramatic effect when done with taste. Be sure not to use overpowering back-lighting because it may result in a “Halloween effect”. The basic idea of back-lighting is to strategically place a lighting fixture behind an object such as a statue or even a small plant. This object or plant should be fairly close to an outside wall. The goal is to use this fixture, such as a spot light or a floodlight or even an in-ground light, to create a silhouette on the wall. The fixture should be out of sight to provide some “magic” to the desired effect.

Path lights: One of the most common (and dramatic) uses of outdoor lighting is to create a guide on either side of a path or walkway or even a driveway. Besides providing an appealing decorative look, path lighting can be a safety feature, keeping visitors from wandering off the lighted area. Unlike most other outdoor lighting, path lights should be placed above ground (but fairly low) and should be the kind that spreads the light with a gentle glowing effect. Don’t use too many path lights in a particular area to avoid an “airline runway” look. The lights should be strategically placed with understatement being the operational consideration.

Down lights : Spotlights and floodlights can be used to illuminate an entryway such as a rear door or an entrance to a bordered garden area or even over a gazebo. Unlike a path light, a down light should not be seen so that a natural lighting effect is achieved. Besides providing a decorative effect, down-lighting offers security for areas, deterring most intruders

Specialty lights: Creativity is the key to the use of specialty lighting. The goal in using this lighting is to create a magical and inviting mood to an area. If you have a rock garden or an area with water and perhaps even a waterfall, strategically placed lighting can highlight these landscaping features and provide a very dramatic nighttime effect. Remember, specialty lighting is limited only by the homeowner’s creativity. There are a variety of home and garden magazines on the market and some very innovative uses of specialty lighting can be found by perusing a few of these periodicals.

Before beginning the installation phase, be sure to match the areas to be illuminated with the style and types of lighting fixtures that you will use. Don’t be reluctant to visit neighbors who use outdoor lighting and ask what they selected in terms of lighting fixtures. This may involve several trips to other neighborhoods but these trips will certainly be worth the effort. Although you will be paying night time visits, a polite and sincere introduction to the homeowner with a word of two of flattery will no doubt provide you with an invitation to look at the work that they have done and most will be more than willing to share their secrets with you.

Most outdoor lighting is either four or seven watts. Keep in mind that these lights are designed to highlight a fairly small area with the goal of providing understated intimacy. If the area you plan to illuminate is fairly large, you may want to purchase a few more lights than you expect will do the job. You can always return the extras for a refund. The lighting specialist at the store can help you select the right transformer and may suggest you buy one that can accommodate the additional wattage you may need if you decide to expand your outdoor lighting later on.

Rather than just jump into grabbing that shovel and starting to work, remember why they include instruction booklets with toys, etc. that need to be assembled. What I’m getting at is that you need a written plan from which to work. While this may be a time-consuming part of the project, it will pay dividends as you begin the actual work. Many homeowners who jumped right into installing outdoor lighting, ended up having to do much of it over again as they found that their mental plans didn’t yield the same benefits that a carefully laid-out written plan did. Another advantage to putting it in writing is that you may discover additional areas that could benefit from outdoor lighting as you move along. The written plan will allow you to note this so that you can revisit the area to install the additional lighting.

With all the preliminary work completed, you will be ready to start the actual project. Although there are a variety of approaches that can be used, one of the most effective is to refer to your plan and lay the lighting fixtures at the area where they will be installed. Some of the lighting fixtures such as path lights will include a detachable stake that you will use to anchor the fixture into the ground. A common mistake some homeowners make is to attempt to drive these stakes into hard soil. In today’s market, most lighting fixtures and accessories are made of plastic. While the plastic stake may be made of high-grade material, driving it into hard soil or a soil-clay mixture may result in the stake breaking. It’s often difficult if not impossible to find a replacement stake and the homeowner may end up “biting the bullet” by having to purchase another complete lighting fixture. To avoid this potential pitfall, you can do one of two things. First, you can use a spade to loosen the soil and then pack it down firmly. It’s often not necessary to loosen the soil to the complete length of the stake. Try loosening it about ¾ of the length of the stake. Generally, with a good start, the stake will not be damaged when fully inserted. Second, you can water the area liberally the day before you begin the project. If the soil is very dense, use a pitchfork or similar tool to create irrigation holes. You may find it necessary to repeat the watering process several times.

With the soil prepared, place the lighting fixtures where they will be installed. At the GFCI fixture, run the cable to each of the lights. Don’t run the cable so that it’s tight because you may decide to reposition your lighting fixtures at a later date. Most lighting fixtures have instructions that indicate how they are to be attached to the cable. This is usually a fairly simple process that doesn’t even involve the use of any tools.

After separating the end of the cable, strip off about ½ inch of insulation and attach the wires to the proper terminals on the transformer. You are now ready to see if the lighting circuit is working. Turn on the plugged-in transformer and then look at each light to make sure it’s working. Bury the cable as you install the light fixtures. Four or five inches will do in terms of the depth the cable should be buried.

The last step is to set the timer to come on at the right time and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Author’s Disclaimer

The information contained in this article is written by a non-certified and non-qualified electrician. I take no responsibility for any injury or other accidents or damage to equipment that may occur as a result of following any of the information contained herein. If you have any doubts about your ability to follow these directions or to safely install your outdoor lighting, I strongly urge you to hire a qualified professional electrician to do the job.

Understand the basics

Planning lighting needs for your child’s room is a great opportunity for you to show off your playful side, do some personal bonding, and will also allow your children to be creative. Use all your imaginative ideas in the process but the important thing to remember here is it should reflect your child’s personality, not yours. Talk to your child while making them part of your design work. Be interactive and if needed take them along with you while buying the lighting things. In any kid room you need to consider three types of lighting; ambient light which fills the whole room, Task lighting is the kind of lighting that brightens a particular area and finally accent lighting that adds a novelty touch to your child’s room.

The key factors to consider for child lighting ideas

Your kid’s age, whether a baby, early school years or teenagers. Age makes real difference in selecting and adjusting proper lighting ideas. As your child matures as do their rooms lighting needs. For example, babies need low-level lighting so you can see during those frequent trips in the night to feed, change and comfort. As you will spend a considerable amount of time in your baby’s room it’s important that you have a ceiling mounted bedroom light with a dimmer if possible would be ideal since it allows you to brighten the room when required and then lower the light at bedtime. Also a kid room decorative lamp or two at proper light that gives off sufficient light is important when it coming to changing your baby or reading stories. Instead of kid lamps, one can also opt for a track lighting which are quiet adjustable to lighten while changing babies nappies or reading bed time stories. Also track lighting can be adjusted, rotated to specific areas as the child grows. Older, school going children and teenagers may have slightly different lighting needs. For example, some older children may get scared in the night if the room is dark, which in that case installing a night light opposite corner of the room and not shining in your child’s face to make them sleep is a good idea. Also growing children needs a balance of natural light and artificial lighting so operable skylights and windows will add charm to the room.

Your child’s personality and interests will also play a substantial role in understanding the lighting needs. If it is a small baby, try to understand what kind of interests or personality they can have by seeing their reaction on showing or displaying certain things. For example, babies will react very happily or enjoys certain types of pictures or colours or any objects, keep this in mind while planning the lighting. Like some babies may enjoy Airplane or other objects around a central ceiling fixture or pendant light. Bright red balloon wall light may also entertain your small ones. Generally, all most kids small or growing, love bright colors and novelty items like cartoon characters or any other funny animal characters lights. Some children’s may like certain colours which in that case colorful catchy lights can be a good option. Well lighting your child’s room should co-ordinate with the overall decor but having that one wild lighting idea which excites your boy or girl is a must. Choose atleast one novelty theme to add a vibrant mood to your child room that compliments their hobbies and personality. Afterwards try to understand what kind of activities will be taking place in the room. Like sleeping, doing home work, entertainment, computer activities and many more such things. Parents should select task lighting that is most conducive to the different activities children pursue in their room. This will make the job of selecting and fixing task lighting to brighten up specific area used for an activity much easier. If your child has a computer in the room, you’ll want to ensure a ambient soothing computer place. The trick here is to use task lighting to illuminate what is on the monitor and use an ambient light source to eliminate any contrast. If your child does all their home work on a desk table, try for safe table lamp or the best wall lights that lines up with your child’s shoulder when sitting up ready to read. Lighting that comes from behind her shoulder and slightly to the side will be the best for their eyes with out causing any damage to their vision. If your child likes to read in bed consider an adjustable kid room lamp or track lighting rotated to the bedpost. Reading will become more tempting to your child if you make the experience as comfortable as possible. If your children watch television in their rooms, don’t let them watch it in total darkness. It’s better for their eyes to use low-level light, either from a dimmed light or from a side light with the beam directed at the ceiling.

Never forget the safety of your children

While planning and designing your child’s room lighting needs, there are safety issues to consider first. The safest kinds of lighting fixtures to use in your child’s room are central ceiling fixtures, child wall lights and track lighting. The advantage here is that these types of fixtures won’t get damaged if your kids start playing around the room. Try to keep any light sources out of your child’s reach is always a good way to prevent light burns. In any case if you can’t avoid it then any light that their little hands can reach should preferably be fitted with compact fluorescent bulbs which are cool to touch Use track lighting or wall lights instead of table lamps since they always get knocked over and believe us, always us. When installing electrical wall socket, see that there are no loose cords hanging around and cover the empty sockets to ensure prying fingers can’t put it inside. Also avoid low pendant lights. They can be a hazard during pillow fights or when jumping on the bed.

Using the above provided information along with your imagination you can do wonders to your children’s room lighting and the way it will nurture their personality. Just remember, have fun, enjoy and make it a team work with your child as your expert partner.