What does luminance refer to?

Luminance refers to the brightness of light emitted or reflected from a surface in a specific direction. It is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m²) and is a key component in understanding how we perceive light and color in various visual mediums, including photography, video, and displays. Brightness is crucial for creating images that convey the correct mood and details, as it affects how we see textures and shapes. Luminance can significantly influence composition and visual storytelling in audio-visual productions, making it essential for creators to control and manipulate lighting effectively.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of color and light. Color intensity relates to the strength of a particular color, color saturation indicates how pure or vivid a color is, and color temperature describes the color of light in terms of warmth or coolness, but none of these directly define the concept of luminance. Therefore, identifying luminance with brightness of light is key in the field of audio, video, technology, and film.