The Motion Picture Screen as a Lighting Problem

The motion picture on the screen is discussed as a visual task, and its lighting and that of its environs is approached in the manner recommended by the authors for all lighting problems. After choosing the proper quality of light and having a screen brightness as great as is practicable, the problem becomes chiefly one of quality of lighting or distribution of brightness in the visual fields. Various aspects of visibility and psychophysiological effects of seeing are discussed. The problem is subdivided into two parts: (1) The attainment of maximal visibility within the central field (the motion picture on the screen) without regard to the surroundings; and (2) the illumination of the surroundings in such a manner as to produce maximal comfort and minimal loss of visibility. — The problem is unravelled from the usual entanglement of physiological optics, much of which is largely of academic interest rather than of practical importance. It is shown to be one of lighting to be guided by the same concepts, principles, and knowledge embodied in the science of seeing as are other lighting problems. Suggestions are made for practical studies of the possibilities of evolving the lighting of the motion picture screen and its environs from its present primitive stage of purely localized lighting, which is generally undesirable.

Print ISSN

0097-5834

Published

1936-05

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J08684