What does 'color temperature' refer to in lighting design?

Color temperature refers to the warmth or coolness of a color, which is a critical aspect of lighting design. It is measured in degrees Kelvin (K) and influences the visual perception of a scene. Lower color temperatures (around 2700K to 3000K) produce a warm, yellowish light that evokes a cozy atmosphere, similar to the light of a candle or incandescent bulb. In contrast, higher color temperatures (above 5000K) emit a cooler, bluish light, akin to daylight or overcast skies, which can create a more clinical or energetic ambiance.

In lighting design, understanding color temperature is essential for creating the desired mood in a film, video, or stage production. It affects not only the aesthetic quality but also how colors appear on camera, establishing the visual tone that supports the narrative and enhances storytelling. The other concepts like brightness, mood, and saturation do play roles in color theory but do not specifically define color temperature. Brightness refers to the amount of light emitted, mood pertains to the emotional response elicited by color, and saturation deals with the intensity or purity of a color. These factors are distinct from the temperature aspect, which focuses on the relative warmth and coolness of light sources.