Luminance Notes
Luminance Notes
Peter D. Hiscocks, P.Eng Syscomp Electronic Design Limited [email protected] www.syscompdesign.com September 16, 2011
Contents
1 2 3 4 5 Introduction Luminance Standard Camera Calibration Example Measurement: LED Array Appendices 3.1 Light Measurement Symbols and Units . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 Typical Values of Luminance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 Accuracy of Photometric Measurements . . . . . . . . . 3.4 Perception of Brightness by the Human Vision System . 3.5 Comparing Illuminance Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6 Frosted Incandescent Lamp Calibration . . . . . . . . . 3.7 Luminance Calibration using Moon, Sun or Daylight . . 3.8 ISO Speed Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9 Work Flow Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.10 Processing Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.11 Using ImageJ To Determine Pixel Value . . . . . . . . . 3.12 Using ImageJ To Generate a Luminance-Encoded Image 3.13 EXIF Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 6 9 11 11 11 11 12 13 14 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 22
References
1 Introduction
There is growing awareness of the problem of light pollution, and with that an increasing need to be able to measure the levels and distribution of light. This paper shows how such measurements may be made with a digital camera. Light measurements are generally of two types: illuminance and luminance. Illuminance is a measure of the light falling on a surface, measured in lux. Illuminance is widely used by lighting designers to specify light levels. In the assessment of light pollution, horizontal and vertical measurements of illuminance are used to assess light trespass and over lighting. Luminance is the measure of light radiating from a source, measured in candela per square meter. Luminance is perceived by the human viewer as the brightness of a light source. In the assessment of light pollution, luminance can be used to assess glare, up-light and spill-light1 . A detailed explanation of of illuminance and luminance is in [1]. The units used in measurement of light are also summarized in section 3.1 on page 11. An illuminance meter is an inexpensive instrument, costing about $60. See for example the Mastech LX1330B [2], gure 1(a). A luminance meter is a much more expensive device. For example the Minolta LS-100 Luminance Meter shown in gure 1(b) costs about $3500 [3]. Both measurements are useful in documenting incidents of light pollution but luminance measurements are less common in practice understandably, give the cost of the instrument. The pixel values in an image from a digital camera are proportional to the luminance in the original scene. so a digital camera can act as a luminance meter. In effect providing they can be calibrated each of the millions of pixels in the light sensor becomes a luminance sensor. There are signicant advantages using a digital camera for measurement of luminance [5]: A digital camera captures the luminance of an entire scene. This speeds up the measuring process and allows multiple measurements at the same instant. The surroundings of the luminance measurement are recorded, which puts the measurement in context.
(c) Digital Camera: Canon SX120IS
For luminance measurement, the eld of view (FOV) of the sensor must be smaller than the source. The FOV of a luminance meter is Figure 1: Light Measuring Devices about 1 . The FOV of a digital camera pixel is on the order of 150 times smaller, so it can measure small area light sources such as individual light emitting diodes. These sources are difcult or impossible to measure with a luminance meter. By photographing a source of known luminance, one obtains the conversion factor that links luminance (in candela per square meter) to the value of a pixel in an image. Consequently, the key to calibration is a light source of known luminance. In the following section, we describe the selection of a luminance standard for camera calibration. Then we describe the calibration of the camera, the interpretation of the image data and an example. The appendices elaborate on some of the topics.
1 Up-light is wasted light that contributes to sky glow. Spill light refers to unnecessary light that is produced from a building or other structure, that contributes to over-lighting and bird strikes.
2 Luminance Standard
Over a period of some 18 months, we investigated a variety of techniques for creating a luminance standard, as summarized in gure 2. Technique Comparison with Standard Comments Luminance standards are very expensive. Laboratory calibration is expensive ($1800). Luminance meter is very expensive ($3500). Sun luminance is predictable. Moon luminance is somewhat predictable but surface brightness is uneven. Atmospheric extinction is variable and difcult to predict. Relies on known polar distribution of illumination. Distribution of luminance is difcult to predict. Nameplate output in lumens is often inaccurate. Luminance is predictable, but a very sensitive function of temperature. Difcult to make accurate. Effective area of coiled-coiled lament is difcult to predict. Illuminance measurement can be accurate. Reectance of surface must be known. Requires diffuse illumination of surface, which is difcult to achieve. Reectance of sphere interior must be known. Port luminance is proportional to port illuminance. Luminance of port is predictable and consistent. Port image can be used as at eld. Same eld of view as luminance meter (1 ). Order of magnitude lower cost than luminance meter. Lower resolution than luminance meter (6% vs 1%). Figure 2: Summary of Calibration Techniques Now we discuss each of these in some detail. Comparison with Standard Professional caliber luminance meters and laboratory-calibrated luminance sources are far too expensive for general purpose use by those working in light pollution abatement. For example, the new cost of a Minolta LS-100 is $3500. The National Research Council of Canada quoted $1800 to calibrate a luminance meter2 . Natural Sources Some natural sources (the sun, moon and stars) have a predictable luminance. The problem, as detailed in section 3.7, is atmospheric extinction, the attenuation of light in the atmosphere, which is not easily determined with precision. The luminance of clear or overcast sky is variable over time and viewing angle [6].
are some bargains to be had. The author obtained a Tek J-16 Photometer with various measuring heads, including the J6503 luminance probe, from eBay [8]. However, the unit required some repair work and the age of the unit (1985) suggested that the calibration was not reliable.
2 There
Tungsten Filament
Illuminance-Luminance
Photographic Spotmeter
A standard candle illuminates white paper at 1 ft-lambert (3.44 cd/m2 ) [7]. Unfortunately, readily available candles have signicant differences in light output and vary substantially over time [9]. Surface Brightness of Frosted Lamp It is possible to relate the total output ux of a lamp (in lumens, specied on the package) to the brightness of the surface of the lamp. For this to work, one must have an accurate map of the radiation pattern. This would be straightforward if the lamp had a spherical radiation pattern, but thats usually not the case. The luminance at the top of the bulb, or at the side in line with the lament, is quite noticeably less than other areas of the bulb. Furthermore, the nameplate ux may be signicantly different than the actual ux. Another approach is to measure the illuminance at some distance from the lamp and then calculate the luminance of the source. Again, that approach requires accurate knowledge of the radiation pattern. The details and an example are in section 3.6. Tungsten Filament The luminance of the tungsten lament in an incandescent lamp is a predictable function of its temperature. The lament temperature can be determined from its resistance, which in turn depend on the operating current and voltage. In theory, this makes the basis a luminance standard [10]. This approach is attractive because the lament temperature can be related to the luminous output of the lamp, which is a useful check on the calculations. There are two complications. First, the luminance is a 9th power function of lament temperature. A 1% error in temperature results in a 9% error in luminance. Consequently, the accuracy requirement for temperature is very stringent. Second, the luminance may be affected by a light recycling effect resulting from the complex coiled-coiled shape of the lament. The tungsten lament is a small target. It does not ll the entire aperture of a luminance meter such as the Tektronix J-16 with 6503 probe. This would require a correction factor, another possible source of error. On the other hand, a digital camera could be used to record the luminance of a lament, assuming that the area of the lament completely covers several pixels. A tungsten lament could be useful as a luminance standard, but it needs to be veried by other methods. Illuminance to Luminance Under the right circumstances, the luminance L of a surface is related to the illuminance E and reectance by equation 1. L= where the quantities are L E Luminance emitted from the surface Illuminance of light falling on the surface Reectance candela/meter2 lux (dimensionless) E candela/meter2 (1)
The device used to measure E an illuminance meter or luxmeter is readily available and inexpensive. Determining the reectance of a surface is a bit more complicated [11], [12], but it can be done. The grey card popular in photography readily available at low cost has a known reectance of 18% and can be used as a standard for comparison. The challenge in this method is properly illuminating the surface. It must be illuminated uniformly and equally from all directions. In other words, the illuminating eld must be diffuse. It turns out that this is very difcult to achieve in a laboratory setting with conventional lighting sources. However, a diffuse eld is achievable inside an integrating sphere, as described below, and under those circumstances this becomes a practical technique.
Integrating Sphere An integrating sphere can be used as a standard. Figure 3 shows the 14 inch diameter light integrating sphere that was constructed for these measurements. Construction and use of the sphere is described in reference [13]. In operation, one measures the illuminance of the light eld exiting the port. (Notice the illuminance meter to the left of the sphere in gure 3.) The reectance of the interior surface of the sphere is known. Then the luminance of the light eld exiting the port is determined by equation 1. In gure 3, the Tektronix J-16 Photometer with 6503 Luminance Probe is located at the sphere port to measure the luminance. One could then calibrate the luFigure 3: Light Integrating Sphere minance meter to the calculated value of luminance. The measurement is dependent on the sphere functioning correctly, that is, providing a diffuse eld of light. That the eld is diffuse can be easily determined from measurements at the port. The accuracy of the method depends on the accuracy of the luxmeter and the gure used for reectance. There are very few error sources compared to other techniques. The port provides a large area of uniform illumination. It is a suitable target for luminance meter (because it lls the entire measurement aperture) or as the at eld image for a digital camera. Photographic Spotmeter A photographic spotmeter is a narrow eld of view exposure meter used in photography. The spotmeter is available from a number of manufacturers. Well focus on the Minolta Spotmeter F, which is similar in appearance to the Minolta LS-100 luminance meter shown in gure 1(b) on page 2. A photographic spotmeter displays exposure value [14]. The exposure value is the degree of exposure of the camera lm or sensor. Various combinations of aperture and shutter speed can be used to obtain the same exposure value, according to equation 2. 2EV = where the quantities are: EV N t Exposure Value Aperture number (F-Stop) Exposure time, seconds N2 t (2)
It can also be shown [15] that scene luminance and exposure value are related according to equation 3. 2EV = where the quantities are: Ls S Km (3)
EV S Ls Km
Exposure Value, as before ISO setting (see section 3.8, page 17) Scene Luminance, candela/meter2 Calibration constant for the meter, equal to 14 for Minolta
Equation 3 provides us with a route to measuring luminance. Typically, the spotmeter displays EV units at an assumed ISO of 100. A written table in the meter operating manual or software in the unit incorporates the meter constant (14 for Minolta) and uses equation 3 to convert exposure value to luminance. To get some idea of the advantages and limitations of a photographic spotmeter, its worthwhile to compare the Minolta LS-100 luminance meter [16] and Minolta F photographic spotmeter [17]. Minolta LS-100 Luminance Meter Field of View Range Accuracy Resolution Price 1 degree 0.001 to 300,000 cd/meter2 2% 0.1% $3500.00 (New) $2500 (Used) Minolta F Spotmeter 1 degree 0.29 to 831,900 cd/meter2 7% 6% $339.00 (Used)
The resolution and accuracy of the spotmeter are more than satisfactory for photographic use, but rather coarse for for a precise measurement of luminance. That said, it may be useful to rent a photographic spotmeter for a modest fee3 , in order to do a sanity check on a luminance calibration source. If you have access to a spotmeter, does that eliminate the need for a calibration source such as the integrating sphere? It depends on the required accuracy. We purchased a used Minolta M spotmeter. When we measured the integrating sphere port luminance, we found that the luminance reading corresponded to an unrealistically value of reectance in the integrating sphere, 90%. A direct measurement of reectance and other methods indicate a reectance in the order of 77%. Adjusting the spot meter by 0.3 EV units made the calculated reectance consistent with other measurements. An adjustment of 0.3 EV units is equivalent to a 23% change in luminance reading. For accuracy better than that, some form of calibration standard such as an integrating sphere is necessary.
3 Camera Calibration
Luminance to Pixel Value
The digital camera turns an image into a two dimensional array of pixels. Ignoring the complication of colour, each pixel has a value that represents the light intensity at that point. The amount of exposure (the brightness in the nal image) is proportional to the number of electrons that are released by the photons of light impinging on the sensor4 . Consequently, its proportional to the illuminance (in lux) times the exposure time, so the brightness is in lux-seconds. Invoking the parameters of the camera, we have in formula form [15]: Nd = K c where the quantities are Nd Kc t fs S Ls Digital number (value) of the pixel in the image Calibration constant for the camera Exposure time, seconds Aperture number (f-stop) ISO Sensitivity of the lm (section 3.8, page 17) Luminance of the scene, candela/meter2 tS fs 2 Ls (4)
The digital number (value) Nd of a pixel is determined from an analysis of the image, using a program like
3 In 4 Clark
Toronto, Vistek will rent a Minolta F spotmeter for $15 per day. [4] calculates for the Canon D10 DSLR camera at ISO 400, that each digital count in a pixel value is equivalent to 28.3 photons.
ImageJ [18]. Pixel value is directly proportional to scene luminance Ls . Its also dependent on the camera settings. For example, if the luminance is constant while the exposure time or lm speed are doubled, the pixel value should also double. If the aperture number fs is increased one stop (a factor of 1.4), the area of the aperture is reduced by half so the pixel value will also drop by half [19]. In theory, to calibrate the camera one photographs a known luminance, plugs values for luminance, exposure time, lm speed and aperture setting into equation 4, and calculates the calibration constant Kc . It should then be possible to use the camera at other settings of exposure time, lm speed and aperture setting. One determines the pixel value in the image and then runs equation 4 in the other direction to calculate an unknown luminance. Maximum Pixel Value The pixel values are represented inside the camera as binary numbers. The range for the pixel value Nd is from zero to Nmax , where: Nmax = 2B 1 (5)
where B is the number of bits in the binary numbers. For example, for a 16 bit raw image, the range of values is from zero to 216 1 = 65535. For an 8 bit JPEG image, the range of values is considerably smaller, from zero to 28 1 = 255. In order not to lose information in the image the exposure must be adjusted so that the maximum pixel value is not exceeded. Vignetting The light transmission of the camera lens tends to decrease toward the edges of the lens, an effect known as vignetting. The effect can be quantied in equation form. However it is more practical to photograph an image with uniform brightness (a so-called at eld). Then use an image analysis program to check pixel value near the centre and near the edge5 The exit port of the integrating sphere used for these measurements [13] is a suitable at eld. Its illumination has been measured with a narrow eld luminance meter and determined to be reasonably uniform.
Compressed images permit many more images in a given storage space and transfer more quickly between camera and computer. High end digital cameras such as digital single-lens reex (DSLR) cameras can produce images in raw or compressed (JPEG) format. Most point-and-shoot cameras can only produce compressed format7 . Image File Format and Luminance Measurement A JPEG formatted image has a non-linear relationship between exposure value and pixel code. In calibrating a camera for luminance measurement is necessary to determine this relationship and account for its effect under conditions of different aperture, exposure interval, and ISO number. This greatly complicates the analysis. A raw formatted image, on the other hand, uses equation 4 (page 4) directly. Image pixel value is directly or inversely proportional to the camera parameters and the scene luminance. For example, a plot of pixel value vs exposure interval is a straight line that passes through the origin. In theory, both raw and compressed format images can be used for luminance measurement. Jacobs [21], GabeleWller [23], [5] used JPEG formatted images. Craine [22] and Flanders [26] used JPEG format images, but restricted the exposure range to minimize the non-linearity of JPEG compression. Meyer [24] and Hollan [25] used raw format. Initially we worked with JPEG formatted images and then subsequently switched to raw format. Raw format images simplied the process and generated results that were more predictable and consistent.
Pixel Value 50000 45000 40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 0 2 (1/1000 sec) 4 6 8 Exposure Time, mSec 10 (1/100 sec) F6.3
Ls: 499 candela/metre^2 F: 5.0 ISO: 200
F4.0
F5.0
2.8 3.2
20000
5.0
4.5
10000
7.1 8.0
5.6 6.3
0.02
0.04
0.1
0.12
0.14
7 Canon point-and-shoot cameras can be modied with the so-called CHDK software [20], which enables them to produce raw format images. 8 Debevec [27] has an interesting comment on shutter speed: Most modern SLR cameras have electronically controlled shutters which give extremely accurate and reproducible exposure times. We tested our Canon EOS Elan camera by using a Macintosh to make digital audio recordings of the shutter. By analyzing these recordings we were able to verify the accuracy of the exposure times to within a thousandth of a second. Conveniently, we determined that the actual exposure times varied by powers of two between stops ( 1/64, 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4,
Figure 4(b) shows the relationship between pixel value and aperture. At large apertures, above F 4.0, the relationship becomes non-linear. One would either avoid those aperture values or determine the specic value for the calibration constant at each aperture. Figure 4(c) shows the relationship between pixel value and ISO9 . As expected, the digital number is a linear function of the ISO over the range shown on the graph10. With a large number of measurements in hand at various values of shutter speed, aperture and ISO, excluding values where the relationship is non-linear, we used a spreadsheet to solve for the corresponding value of the camera constant Kc in equation 4. For the SX120IS camera, using 55 different combinations of settings we measured a camera constant value Kc of 815 with an RMS deviation11 of 4.7%.
Magnication
Many sources of light pollution form a small camera image, so it is very useful to be able to magnify the image using the camera lens zoom function. The Canon SX120IS used in this exercise has a zoom range of 1 to 10. The CHDK software extends this to 23. (Also helpful in the case of the Canon SX120IS is the electronic image stabilization feature, which allows one to take hand-held pictures at the maximum zoom setting). If the camera zoom lens setting is changed, does that have an effect on the luminance measurement? At rst thought that would seem to be the case, since luminance is measured in candela per square metre, and the area of observation has changed. However, the luminous power in candela is measured in lumens per steradian (solid angle). A change of magnication alters the area and solid angle such that the two effects cancel. In an ideal system, where there are no losses, luminance is invariant [28], [29] . We checked this by taking images of the integrating sphere port from a distance of 6.25 meters, at zoom settings of 1, 10 and 23. The average digital number in the image of the illuminated sphere port was constant for the three images, to within 2%. This is very convenient, since the same camera calibration constant applies regardless of the camera zoom lens setting.
8, 16, 32), rather than the rounded numbers displayed on the camera readout ( 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30). 9 ISO number is referred to as lm speed in lm cameras. In a digital camera, it is a function of the amplication applied to the pixel value after capture. 10 This camera provides an additional ISO setting of 1600, but the increase in digital number for that ISO setting is not proportional at all, which makes the setting unsuitable for luminance measurement. In light pollution work, the intensity of sources makes it unlikely that ISO 1600 would be useful. It could however be of interest to someone documenting sky glow, which is relatively faint. 11 RMS: Root Mean Square. The deviation values are rst squared. Then one takes the average of these squares. Finally, one takes the square root of the average. The result is an indication of the typical value of a deviation, while ignoring the effect of the sign of the deviation.
Quantity Maximum Pixel Value Shutter Speed Aperture (F-Stop) ISO Setting Camera Constant
Symbol Nd t fs S Kc
According to the table of luminances in section 3.2 (page 11), 50,000 candela/metre2 is Maximum Visual Tolerance. This makes the unshielded LED array a potential source of glare. Extending Luminance Range The pixel value in the previous example is very close to the allowable maximum, 65536 (216 ). The camera settings are at their limit (fastest shutter speed, minimum aperture, minimum ISO) for the camera to minimize exposure. Is it possible to photograph images of greater luminance? There are two possible solutions. The CHDK software on a Canon point-and-shoot camera supports custom exposure settings up to 1/100k seconds [30], [31], so you could increase the shutter speed (ie, decrease the shutter interval). CHDK also supports custom ISO values, starting at 1, so you could reduce the ISO setting. In general, these options are not available to unmodied DSLR (digital single-lens reex) cameras. A neutral density lter can reduce the luminance of the image. For example, an ND4 lter reduces the luminance by a factor of 4. Neutral density lters are readily available for DSLR cameras. Both methods should be calibrated. With an inexpensive set of neutral density lters we found that the actual attenuation was as much as 30% different from the labeled value.
(b) Image
10
5 Appendices
3.1 Light Measurement Symbols and Units
Luminous Flux Luminous Intensity Illuminance Luminance Luminous Exposure Luminous Energy Steradian v Iv Ev Lv Hv Qv Lumen Candela, Lumen/steradian Lux, Lumen/metre2 Candela/metre2 Lux-seconds Lumen-seconds Radians Luminous power, weighted by the visual response function. Luminous power in a particular direction. Density of the luminous ux incident on a plane surface Luminous intensity per unit area, ie, perceived brightness of a source. Time integral of illuminance Luminous energy, time integral of luminous power Solid angle subtending an area r2 at radius r.
11
Precision light measurements require a controlled environment. This is not readily available to the nonspecialist. A photometric light meter (one that responds in a similar fashion to the human eye) contains a spectrum response lter. The spectrum of the source interacts with this curve in such a way that a small error in the lter response may lead to large errors in light level measurement. This is particularly true for sources where the light energy is concentrated at a few discrete wavelengths [33]. The specied and measured accuracies of four illuminance meters is shown in section 3.5 on page 13. With specied accuracies in the order of 5% and measured deviations from the average value in the order of 7%, an overall measurement accuracy of 10% is reasonably achievable12. Fortunately, the variability of light level measurements is mitigated to some extent by the non-linear response of the human eye to different light levels, as we document in section 3.4. For example, a 25% change in brightness is just detectable by the human vision system.
where S is the perceived brightness (the sensation), K is a constant and L is the luminance. Since the exponent is less than unity, the equation has the effect of reducing errors in luminance measurement. We illustrate this with an example. Example Suppose that a luminance measurement is in error by +10%. What is the brightness perception of that error? Solution Call the correct sensation and luminance S and L. Call the measured sensation and luminance Sm and Lm . Dene the ratio R: Lm = R L. Then from equation 6 we have: S Sm = = = = K L 0.33 K Lm K (RL) 0.33 K R 0.33 L 0.33
0.33
(7)
Now nd the ratio of the measured and true sensation: Sm S = = K R 0.33 L 0.33 KL 0.33 0.33 R (8)
The measured luminance is 10% larger than the actual luminance, so R = 1.10.
12 It may be possible to check the calibration of an illuminance meter by measuring the horizontal illuminance from the sun at noon. A table of solar illuminance for various elevations of the sun above the horizon is in reference [34]. 13 This greatly simplies a complex situation. The perception of brightness is strongly determined by the size of the source and its surroundings. However, it illustrates the concept and is roughly true for a small source against a dark background.
12
Then: Sm S
= = =
That is, the perception of the brightness is only 3% high when the actual luminance is 10% high. The just noticeable difference for brightness is 7.9%, [36] so the 3% difference would be undetectable. Using equation 6, one can show that a just noticeable change in brightness requires a luminance increase of 25%. A perceived doubling of brightness requires a luminance increase of approximately 8 times (800%).
1000
Tek J16 with J6511 Probe Amprobe LM80 Mastech LX1330B Extech 401025
Measured
100
10
10
100 Average
1000
Figure 6: Four Illuminance Meters: Tek J10 with J6511 Probe, Amprobe LM-80, Mastech LX1330B, Extech 401025 The measured RMS deviations from the average were: 13
Meter Tek J10 with J6511 Probe Amprobe LM-80 Mastech LX1330B Extech 401025
On the basis of the specied accuracy and measured deviation from average, an overall measurement accuracy of 10% is a reasonable goal.
4. The luminance of the bulb is equal to the luminous intensity I Candela divided by the surface area of the bulb Ab meters2 . I L= Candela/meters2 (10) Ab Example: Surface Luminance from Nameplate Output The Sylvania DoubleLife 60 watt lamp has a total output of 770 lumens. The bulb diameter is 6cm. What is the luminance of the bulb surface? Solution 1. = 770 lumens. 2. Assume that the radiating pattern is a sphere, with 13% removed to account for the base. Then the radiating angle is: = 4 (1 0.13) = 10.92 steradians
3. The luminous intensity I is given by equation 9 above: I = = = 770 10.92 70.51 candela
14
4. The surface area of the bulb Ab is approximately a sphere of radius r = 3 centimeters: Ab = = = 4r2 4 3 100
2
0.0113 meters2
The luminance is the luminous intensity I divided by the bulb surface area Ab (equation 10 above). L = I Ab 70.51 = 0.0113 = 6240 candela/meters2
Measurement Results Using the Tektronix J16 photometer with J6503 luminance probe, the measured luminance for this bulb varies from 6100 candela/meters2 at the top of the bulb to 16100 candela/meters2 on the side. 20 100 80 60 40 This variation in luminance means that our assumption of a spherical radiation pattern (equal radiation in all directions) is incorrect. An example of a radiation curve for an incandescent lamp (gure 7) conrms that the radiation pattern is not spherical. Consequently, this technique does not give reliable enough results to be used as a predictable luminance calFigure 7: Incandescent Lamp Radiation Pattern. Magibration standard. nitude is in Candela. Adapted from [41], magnitude scaled to approximate measured data. Luminance from Illuminance It is also possible to measure the illuminance at some distance from the bulb and extrapolate that to determine the luminous intensity. For completeness we provide the method here. However, it suffers from the same problem as using the nameplate output: the radiation pattern is not known and the assumption of a spherical radiation pattern is incorrect. Consequently, the predicted luminance is not accurate. The light meter reads light intensity in lux, where 1 lux = 1 lumen/metre2 The light energy emitted by the source, in candela, is given by 1 candela = 1 lumen/steradian Solid angle in steradian is given by A r2 where is the solid angle in steradians, r is the distance from the source to the surface of an imaginary sphere, and A is an area on the surface of that imaginary sphere. If we choose the area to be 1 metre2 and the distance d from the source as 1 metre, then the solid angle is 1 steradian. Consequently, the numeric value of the light intensity in lux is equal to the light energy emitted by the source in candela. If we take the light intensity measurement at some other distance, we can adjust it to 1 metre spacing using the inverse square law. Once the total light energy output in candela is known, the surface luminance in candela/m2 can be calculated, based on the surface area of the lamp. = 15
Example: Luminance from Illuminance Measurement A Sylvania DoubleLife 60 watt soft white incandescent lamp produces is measured to produce 273 lux at a distance of 50cm. The bulb can be characterised as a sphere, 6cm in diameter. Determine the luminance of the bulb surface. Solution 1. Adjust the reading in lux to a distance of 1 metre: E1 E2 E2 = l2 l1
2
= E1
l1 l2
= 273
0.5 1.0
= 68.25 lux, or lumens/m2 2. This is at a distance of 1 metre, so the source is emitting total energy of the same amount, 68.25 candela (lumen/steradian). 3. The surface area of a sphere is given by S = 4r2 , where r is the physical radius of the lamp, 3 centimeters. S = = = 4r2 4 3.14 3 100
2
0.0113 meters2
4. Now we can calculate the luminance in candela/metre2. L = = = C S 68.25 0.0113 6039 candela/m2
Light level measurements of the incandescent lamp should be taken under the following conditions: Other light sources should be turned off or it should be established that they are dim enough that they do not materially affect the measurement. The light source and meter should be arranged so that the direct light from the lamp predominates. That requires reecting surfaces to be as far away as possible and if necessary cloaked with light absorbing material. Ryer [42] suggests setting up an optical bench with a series of bafes. Each bafe is a black opaque sheet mounted at right angles to the optical path. A hole in each bafe is centred on the optical path. This prevents stray light, from a similar direction as the source, from reaching the detector. There is a 20% decrease in light output from the side of an incandescent lamp to the top. Consequently, whatever orientation is used for the measurement of light level should also be used for luminance.
16
is an older reference, so the luminance units are given as candles (ie, candela) per square centimeter. Today, we would used candela per square metre. 15 This arrangement is technically known as the ISO-arithmetic scale, which is similar to its predecessor, so-called ASA lm speed scale. There is also an ISO-logarithmic scale, which does not seem to be in common use. 16 Changing the ISO setting does not alter the behavior of the sensor itself. However, the signal from the sensor is amplied, and changing the amplication factor effectively changes the sensitivity of the camera system. There is a limit to this: at very high gain, the sensor noise becomes prominent.
14 This
17
18
Alternatively, you can run a prole line through some area of the image to generate a graph of the pixel values along that line. 1. Select the Line tool from the toolbar. 2. Draw the line on the image, for example, through the light source. 3. Select Analyse -> Plot Profile. 4. A graph of the pixel value prole appears. You can save the values to a text le for further analysis. An example plot prole (the port of the integrating sphere) is shown in gure 8.
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On a Windows system, the EXIF data is obtained by right clicking on a photograph and selecting properties. The information cannot be copied and pasted. A more complete listing of EXIF data is found using the command line program exiftool [49]. For example, the command exiftool myfile.jpg lists the EXIF data for myle.jpg. EXIF data for the Canon SX120IS is shown below. The EXIF data for this camera is very extensive. For other point-and-shoot cameras the data le is greatly abbreviated. For legibility the EXIF data has been formatted slightly into different sections. Image Description Manufacturer Canon Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Orientation top - left x-Resolution 180.00 y-Resolution 180.00 Resolution Unit Inch Date and Time 2009:12:15 20:48:28 YCbCr Positioning co-sited Thumbnail Directory Compression JPEG compression x-Resolution 180.00 y-Resolution 180.00 Resolution Unit Inch Exif Directory Exposure Time FNumber ISO Speed Ratings Exif Version Date and Time (original) Date and Time (digitized) Components Conguration Compressed Bits per Pixel Shutter speed Aperture Exposure Bias MaxApertureValue Metering Mode Flash 1/15 sec. f/2.8 640 Exif Version 2.21 2009:12:15 20:48:28 2009:12:15 20:48:28 Y Cb Cr 3.00 3.91 EV (APEX: 3, 1/14 sec.) 2.97 EV (f/2.8) 0.00 EV 2.97 EV (f/2.8) Pattern Flash red, auto mode, red-eye reduction mode. Focal Length 6.0 mm InterOperability Directory InteroperabilityIndex R98 InteroperabilityVersion 0100 RelatedImageWidth 3648 RelatedImageLength 2736 Extended Metadata Description Maker Note User Comment FlashPixVersion Color Space PixelXDimension PixelYDimension Focal Plane x-Resolution Focal Plane y-Resolution Focal Plane Resolution Unit Sensing Method File Source Custom Rendered Exposure Mode White Balance Digital Zoom Ratio Scene Capture Type 2266 bytes unknown data FlashPix Version 1.0 sRGB 3648 2736 16141.59 16094.12 Inch One-chip color area sensor DSC Normal process Auto exposure Auto white balance 1.00 Standard
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Make Canon Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Orientation TopLeft Resolution Unit Inch ModifyDate 2009-12-15T08:48:28 YCbCrPositioning 2 ExposureTime 1/15 FNumber 28/10 ISOSpeedRatings 640 ExifVersion 0221 DateTimeOriginal 2009-12-15T08:48:28 DateTimeDigitized 2009-12-15T08:48:28 Components Conguration 1 2 3 0 CompressedBitsPerPixel 3 ShutterSpeedValue 125/32 ApertureValue 95/32 ExposureBiasValue 0/3 MaxApertureValue 95/32 Metering Mode Pattern FocalLength 6 UserComment FlashPixVersion 0100 Color Space StandardRGB PixelXDimension 3648 PixelYDimension 2736 FocalPlaneXResolution 3648000/226 FocalPlaneYResolution 2736000/170 Focal Plane Resolution Unit Inch Sensing Method OneChipColorAreaSensor File Source Type DCF Custom Rendered Normal Exposure Mode Auto White Balance Auto DigitalZoomRatio 1 Scene Capture Type Standard Exported Locations
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References
[1] Measuring Light Peter Hiscocks, December 6 2009 http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/~phiscock/ [2] Mastech LX1330B Luxmeter http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/luxmeter.htm [3] Minolta LS-100 Luminance Meter http://www.konicaminolta.com/instruments/products/light/ luminance-meter/ls100-ls110/index.html [4] Digital Cameras: Counting Photons, Photometry, and Quantum Efciency http://www.clarkvision.com/imagedetail/digital.photons.and.qe/ [5] The usage of digital cameras as luminance meters Dietmar Wller, Helke Gabele Image Engineering, Augustinusstrasse 9d, 50226 Frechen, Germany http://www.framos.eu/uploads/media/The_usage_of_digital_cameras_as_ luminance_meters_EI_2007_6502_01.pdf [6] Sky Luminance Data Measurements for Hong Kong C.S.Lau, Dr. D.H.W.Li http://www.sgs.cityu.edu.hk/download/studentwork/bc-cl.pdf [7] J16 Digital Photometer Instruction Manual Tektronix Inc. Nov 1986 [8] Tektronix J16 Digital Photometer Radiometer http://www.testequipmentconnection.com/specs/TEKTRONIX_J16.PDF [9] On the Brightness of Candles Peter D. Hiscocks, April 2011 http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/~phiscock/ [10] Luminance of a Tungsten Filament Peter D. Hiscocks, April 2011 http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/~phiscock/ [11] Issues in Reectance Measurement David L B Jupp CSIRO Earth Observation Centre Discussion Draft August 1996, updated April 1996 http://www.eoc.csiro.au/millwshop/ref_cal.pdf [12] Measuring Reectance Peter D. Hiscocks, August 2011 http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/~phiscock/ [13] Integrating Sphere for Luminance Calibration Peter D. Hiscocks, August 2011 http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/~phiscock/ [14] Exposure Value Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_value
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[15] Exposure Metering: Relating Subject Lighting to Film Exposure Jeff Conrad http://www.largeformatphotography.info/articles/conrad-meter-cal.pdf [16] Specication, Minolta LS-100 Luminance Meter Minolta http://www.konicaminolta.com/instruments/products/light/ luminance-meter/ls100-ls110/specifications.html [17] Specication, Minolta M Spotmeter http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/minolta_spotmeter_m.pdf [18] ImageJ Wayne Rasband http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/ [19] F-Number Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number [20] Installing CHDK on the Canon SX120IS Camera Peter D. Hiscocks, October 2010 http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/~phiscock/ [21] High Dynamic Range Imaging and its Application in Building Research Axel Jacobs Advances in Building Energy Research, 2007, Volume 01 www.learn.londonmet.ac.uk/about/doc/jacobs_aber2007.pdf [22] Experiments Using Digital Camera to Measure Commercial Light Sources Erin M. Craine International Dark-Sky Association docs.darksky.org/Reports/GlareMetricExperimentWriteUpFinal.pdf [23] The usage of digital cameras as luminance meters: Diploma Thesis Helke Gabele Faculty of Information, Media and Electrical Engineering University of Applied Sciences Cologne, 2006 http://www.image-engineering.de/images/pdf/diploma_thesis/digital_ cameras_luminance_meters.pdf [24] Development and Validation of a Luminance Camera Jason E. Meyer, Ronald B. Gibbons, Christopher J. Edwards Final Report, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2009 http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VTTI/reports/Luminance_Camera_021109.pdf [25] RGB Radiometry by digital cameras Jan Hollan http://amper.ped.muni.cz/light/luminance/english/rgbr.pdf [26] Measuring Skyglow with Digital Cameras Tony Flanders Sky and Telescope Magazine, February 2006 http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/116148384.html [27] Recovering High Dynamic Range Radiance Maps from Photographs Paul E. Debevec and Jitendra Malik http://www.debevec.org/Research/HDR/debevec-siggraph97.pdf
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[28] Jack OLanterns and integrating spheres: Halloween physics Lorne A. Whitehead and Michele A. Mossman American Journal of Physics 74 (6), June 2006, pp 537-541 [29] Wikipedia Talk: Luminance Srlefer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ALuminance [30] CHDK Extra Features For Canon Powershot Cameras, User Quick Start Guide http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100820031922/chdk/images/3/33/ CHDK_UserGuide_April_2009_A4.pdf [31] Samples: High-Speed Shutter & Flash-Sync http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Samples:_High-Speed_Shutter_%26_Flash-Sync [32] Technical basics of light OSRAM GmbH, 2010 http://www.osram.com/osram_com/Lighting_Design/About_Light/Light_%26_ Space/Technical_basics_of_light__/Quantitatives/index.html [33] Photometric Errors with Compact Fluorescent Sources M.J. Ouellette National Research Council Report NRCC 33982 http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/pubs/nrcc33982/nrcc33982.pdf [34] Radiometry and photometry in astronomy Paul Schlyter, 2009 http://stjarnhimlen.se/comp/radfaq.html [35] Stevens power law Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevens%27_power_law [36] Just Noticeable Difference http://psychology.jrank.org/pages/353/Just-Noticeable-Difference.html [37] Specication, Tektronix J6501 illuminance meter http://www.testwall.com/datasheets/TEKTRJ6501.pdf [38] Specication, Amprobe LM-80 illuminance meter http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/amprobe/pdf/LM80.pdf [39] Specication, Mastech LX1330B illuminance meter http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/LX1330B.htm [40] Specication, Extech 401025 illuminance meter http://www.extech.com/instruments/resources/datasheets/401025.pdf [41] A Comparative Candelpower Distribution Analysis for Compact Fluorescent Table Lamp Systems LBL-37010, Preprint L-195 Erik Page, Chad Praul and Michael Siminovich University of Berkeley, California btech.lbl.gov/papers/37010.pdf [42] The Light Measurement Handbook Alex Ryer International Light, 1997 www.intel-lighttech.com
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[43] Luminance of the Sun R. V. Karandikar Journal of the Optical Society of America Vol. 45, Issue 6, pp. 483-488 (1955) [44] The Moons Phase Brian Casey http://www.briancasey.org/artifacts/astro/moon.cgi [45] Solar System Dynamics, Horizons Web Interface Jet Propulson Laboratory http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi#results [46] Correcting Incident Light Predictions for Atmospheric Attenuation Effects Kit Courter, December 21, 2003 http://home.earthlink.net/~kitathome/LunarLight/moonlight_gallery/ technique/attenuation.htm [47] Film speed Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_speed [48] Exchangeable image le format Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exchangeable_image_file_format [49] ExifTool Phil Harvey www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/ [50] Using a camera as a lux meter Tim Padeld, May 1997 www.natmus.dk/cons/tp/lightmtr/luxmtr1.htm [51] WebHDR Axel Jacobs https://luminance.londonmet.ac.uk/webhdr/about.shtml Website for processing images into high dynamic range image and luminance map. [52] DCRAW http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dcraw
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