Many designers would argue that the most important element of lighting is visibility. Some even refer to it as the primary function of lighting. Visibility simply refers to the principle of using light to reveal or illuminate objects. In the early days, the job of the designer was nothing more than to create enough light so that the audience or occupants of a space could see. In many ways, this philosophy of lighting was based on the premise that more was better, and many believed that the more footcandles or lumens placed on a stage or in a room, the better visibility that you had. Since the 1950s or ’60s, theatrical designing moved toward a concept that we call selective visibility, which simply refers to revealing to an audience only what needs to be seen. Hence, a less-revealing image on stage might be more appropriate for the dramatic action than a fully illuminated stage. In selective visibility, areas of low intensity, shadows, silhouettes, and high contrast can become effective elements in a lighting designer’s set of tools.
* illuminate: 비추다 ** premise: 전제