Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What term describes the measurement of "white" light sources on a temperature scale?

1. Hue

2. Color

3. Brightness

4. Saturation

The correct answer is: Color

The term that describes the measurement of "white" light sources on a temperature scale is color. This is often articulated in terms of "correlated color temperature" (CCT), which is measured in Kelvins (K). Color temperature is an important concept in photography and lighting because it helps photographers understand how different lighting sources affect the color representation of their images. For example, a light source that has a color temperature of around 3200K tends to produce a warm yellow/orange light, typical of incandescent bulbs, while a light source around 5600K mimics daylight and appears neutral to slightly cool. Understanding this helps photographers achieve the desired mood or accuracy in their photographs by selecting the appropriate lighting based on its color temperature. The other choices refer to different aspects of color perception. Hue refers to the specific wavelength of light that gives color its name, such as red or blue. Brightness describes the perceived intensity of light, while saturation refers to the intensity or purity of a color. Each of these elements plays a role in color theory, but when it comes to the specific measurement of "white" light sources, color is the appropriate term.