referanselys

Referanselys is a term used in photography, videography, and color science to describe a standardized reference lighting setup or device intended to produce predictable, repeatable illumination for imaging workflows. In practice, a referanselys configuration comprises a daylight-balanced, high-CRI light source generating uniform illumination, often with diffuse panels or softboxes to minimize shadows. The output is calibrated to a known color temperature, typically around 5400–5600 kelvin, and a color rendering index of 95 or higher to ensure faithful color reproduction. Devices may be standalone panels, LED banks, or fixed studio rigs, and may include features such as dimming, flicker-free operation, diffusion, and interchangeable power options.

In use, referanselys serves as a reference for white balance, exposure, and color management. It is commonly employed during product photography, fashion and still-life shoots, and in color-critical workflows like digital cinema or monitor calibration. It is also used in e-commerce and reprographics to maintain consistency across sessions and equipment. The concept underpins the practice of establishing a controlled lighting baseline before adapting to location conditions, wardrobe, and set design.

The term’s adoption varies by language and industry; in some contexts it is described as a “reference light” used to set a baseline for subsequent imaging. While not a universal standard, referanselys concepts inform many calibrated lighting setups and are integral to broader color-management practices.