![]() | ![]() | ||
|
LIGHTING WATER IN YOUR |
Lighting Still Water Still water is much harder to light effectively because not only is it harder to disguise the light source, but it also shows up the clarity of the water (and perhaps even the creases in your butyl liner!). A much more effective way of using still water in lighting schemes is to exploit mirroring techniques.
| ![]() ? Stefan Trenker, |
Mirroring
When an object is illuminated on the far side of a body of water, the inverted image will appear reflected (or mirrored) on the dark, still water surface from the other side of the water. This can be used effectively to create a dramatic view from the garden terrace or from inside the house. This technique is particularly effective for situations where the water is too murky to use underwater lighting but remember that mirroring only works on a still, dark expanse of water so any underwater lighting or pumped features must be switched off.
Lighting Garden Fountains
![]() ?? Piotr Adamczyk | The simplest way to light a fountain is to position an underwater light immediately next to the source of the water. This will ensure that the spouting water is well lit whilst concealing the light source within the distraction of the lit foaming water. Where a fountain is more complex, perhaps including statues or a number of tiers, the lighting will also have to be more elaborate. In this case, lighting the fall of the water will need to be combined with a second light either at the edge of the lower pool, or in the upper basin itself – to ensure that both the origin and the destination of the water are lit adequately. |
Lighting a Wall Fountain
Positioning the light at the front edge of the pool will provide good shadows on the features of the lion mask while avoiding a bulging shadow above the mask. Mount your light just below the water surface (so that the pump and cabling are hidden by the darkness below) and the sparkle of the falling water is highlighted. Be careful not to position your light too deep as the beam will struggle to emerge from the depths and appear cloudy.
Alice Bowe is an award winning garden designer, writer and columnist for the Saturday Times.
Grey
Water Recycling and Rainwater Harvesting (including flood tolerant
plants)
Reclaimed
and Recycled Materials used in garden design
Sustainable
Garden Design Materials
Copyright ? 2000-2020
Hints and Things
All Rights Reserved.
No portion of this site may be reproduced or
redistributed without prior written permission from Hints and Things.
All trademarks & copyrights throughout Hints and Things remain the
property of their respective owners.
Hints and Things cannot be
held responsible for any information given on this site nor do they
necessarily agree with, or endorse, the views given by third parties.