The illumination produced from a gas-discharge lamp or tube is called fluorescent light. Electricity to the lamp stimulates the mercury vapor within the lamp creating the emission of electromagnetic radiation which produces the fluorescence. This type of lighting is typically found in office buildings, warehouses and industrial settings. The light produced is “green” or a cooler-than-daylight light balance. Setting a camera’s white balance to Fluorescent will correct for the green cast.
In terms of color temperature, fluorescent light generally falls between 4000 and 5000 degrees Kelvin.
Color Temperature | Light Source |
1000-2000 K | Candlelight |
2500-3500 K | Tungsten Bulb (household variety) |
3000-4000 K | Sunrise/Sunset (clear sky) |
4000-5000 K | Fluorescent Lamps |
5000-5500 K | Electronic Flash |
5000-6500 K | Daylight with Clear Sky (sun overhead) |
6500-8000 K | Moderately Overcast Sky |
9000-10000 K | Shade or Heavily Overcast Sky |