Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative

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Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative

ELLI serves 'To Educate & Separate' those seeking lighting design advancement.

I'm a professional landscape lighting designer-contractor with over 23 years or hands-on experience. I am working other dedicated and passionate individuals to provide advanced education in this discipline. Our short-term goal is to advance the professional practice, and our long-term goal is to provide proven content to show how 'good' lighting design can positively impact human health and well-being. ELLI is a legacy project that we wish to pass on to the next generation of disciplined artisans. We are the only entity to offer concentrated training on lighting design--one that utilizes the principles of composition as its foundational building block. Advanced studies will explore deeper content as it relates to human perception and psychology. 'Affect' is the experience of feeling--this is the highest measure of success for any lighting designer to achieve.

10/21/2025

Say 'NO' To Free Designs!

The landscape lighting community has fallen victim, like many other trades by giving away design work at no charge. Many will say that the design time is included in the installation, but this is just a false claim when you consider all the time allotted to this provision.

Our profession is not the only one experiencing this dilemma, as it runs rampant even in the interior design community. Recently, I read an excellent post by Ed Mun of ### who made several great points about unpaid work. He stated, "Every time you say 'yes' to free work, you hand over your dignity and intellectual property. You cannot demand respect while begging for scraps." He was referring to how our clients treat us, as if throwing scraps to feed us. He also said, "We've accepted 'Hunger Games' as business development."

Ed likens 'free labor' to 'slavery', as it essentially is. He says, "Every unpaid pitch you accept keeps the chains locked for the next designer. Stop helping clients exploit you."

Another part of this problem is related to our professional bodies and associations. Ed says, "Associations are asleep at the wheel, happy to collect your membership fees while ignoring your exploitations. These bodies claim to 'protect the profession' but are complicit when they stay silent. Stop letting associations stay comfortable while you starve."

These comments are very telling, and it's something we all have to come together on to fight for our profession to better itself. Collectively, we must say 'NO' to this unpaid work. Our professional bodies (associations) must begin to enforce 'No Free Design' standards.

10/20/2025

The Problems Most Don't See In Landscape Lighting

I recently saw a great post on LinkedIn by a highly experienced interior designer...discussing one of many problems seen in their discipline because of architects and others competing or taking away business. The landscape lighting profession is equally problematic by having landscape architects and other trades dipping into our work specialty.

To make matters worse, we have several newer faces acting to be the guru's in landscape lighting, teaching practices that are hurting the whole profession. These speakers or trainers only care about how much money they can personally make, no matter what damage they cause the landscape lighting industry. This is another topic in itself, so I'll stop there.

Back to the post, I wanted to share the bullet points provided by Ed Mun of Space Utilization Analyst Interior, as they are very relevant to our profession:

THE BATTLE NO ONE WANTS TO ADMIT
“Collaboration” is the PR line.
Colonisation is the practice.
What happened
• Architecture fees collapsed → interiors became the profit patch.
• Interior bodies didn’t hold the line; architects expanded “by default.”
• Free design normalized client entitlement.
The result
• More interior firms fold.
• Pretty pictures, poor performance.
• Accountability disappears in the grey zone.
• “Multidisciplinary” = quiet cannibalism.
Call it what it is
A broken industry, weak protection, blurred lines—survival sold as success.

Are we overshadowed?
Yes—because we let the lines vanish.

Fix it
• Stop free work: use paid evaluation sprints with clear IP.
• Protect titles: if you can’t carry the liability, don’t wear the name.
• Draw the line: exclusive scope; co-sign where scopes overlap; advise elsewhere.
• Reform associations: firewall sponsors, enforce titles, give interiors equal standing.
• Hold baselines: light, sound, accessibility, durability—no “value engineering” below spec.

Brutal truth: Collaboration without boundaries is occupation.

If we exchange 'interior designer' for 'landscape lighting designer', as well as 'architect' for 'landscape architect' or any other trade, then this is where we can see the problems we face. Pay particular attention to the "Stop Free Work" and "Reform Associations", because these are big concerns. Many are giving away design work for free...why? Ed states, "Free design normalized client entitlement."

Associations and organizations do next to nothing to enforce titles and to ensure our equal standing against other trades. Additionally, none of them have a plan to educate the general public/consumer groups...why is that?

We, as a discipline and profession have allowed our boundaries to be crossed and that is why we are seeing more and more providers stepping in and lowering the bar...lowered standards and practices in order to win jobs. It's time to wake up and put corrective measures in place.

10/10/2025

Lighting Design Maturity

I've been a landscape lighting designer for about 3 decades, and I'm realizing more and more that there's a process of maturity that takes place in our discipline. For many years, it would upset me to see younger designers over-illuminating structures and spaces, as well as under-illuminating these spaces to create nighttime confusion.

With that said, this is part of our journey to mature as seasoned landscape lighting designers. However, and unfortunately, many with time in service never advance in design growth. Why do I say this? Most fail to consider design equally in their business endeavors. Most fail to set aside dedicated learning time and/or budget for this aspect of the profession. Therefore, they remain stagnant and accepting of mediocre concepts and applications.

Once again, I'd like to share some thoughts from an international colleague that I truly appreciate. His name is Michael Bamling, and he recently released his book, "Chiaroscuro: A modern guide to lighting outdoor spaces with soul". In this context of maturing, he makes the statement, "Start treating light like sound. Would you blast music into your garden every night without considering volume, direction, or timing?"

Michael also asks, "What feeling are you trying to achieve within these spaces? We must use the minimum amount of light necessary to 'support' that feeling." This approach to lighting design displays "maturity". He also states, "When you design this way, your lighting becomes quieter, but more powerful. You start to understand the difference between drama and presence. Between spectacle and soul. You begin to create moments, not monuments."

This last statement is so true. There are a lot of "monuments" in display by many landscape lighting designers today. This can be a sign of maturity that many don't realize. Personally, I believe it's a way to identify who is truly skilled or not.

10/03/2025

Treating Light as Architecture

I wanted to share a colleague's thought (Michael Bamling from his book "Chiaroscuro") about how many landscape lighting providers view illuminating spaces. He states, "When you treat light as architecture, it stops being decoration and starts becoming structure."

Michael also states, "Lighting becomes a way to draw lines without walls, to create form without mass." This is an excellent way to approach lighting design within our outdoor spaces. The reason this is so effective is that we are not working with conditions of confinement, as is the case within an interior space, but we typically have an open ceiling (the sky) as well as an expanded visual space.

With that said, the use of light can provide non-structural boundaries or elements to a space, as it competes with darkness. We do not need walls to define a room or space. Michael also mentions, "These 'invisible walls' don't block your view. They guide your experience. They make you feel held, even in the openness of a garden. They create a sense of being somewhere, rather than nowhere."

It is my hope that many within the landscape lighting realm will take a pause in how they are illuminating jobs, because the majority are illuminating "to decorate", not to provide for atmosphere and affect.

Photo credit: Mike Gambino of Gambino Landscape Lighting

09/26/2025

Commitment--How does this apply to Education?

I wanted to share some thoughts about people and their commitment levels. In particular, I am addressing this from the perspective of education.

Currently, I am spending time with my parents, who are in their 80's. I mention this because I am hearing similar comments, as I do with many tradespeople. They will say, "Yes...I need to do that...I will think about this and make a plan to move forward." Yet, the reality is that nothing ever gets done. I see many within my specialty trade, landscape lighting, say the same things.

The issues with my parents are that they are experiencing memory loss, an inability to make a decision, and a fear of change. However, with tradespeople, it always comes down to the "I don't have enough time" excuse. Personally, I don't buy this most of the time. Everyone can or should be able to manage their time, as well as set aside a minimum of 1 hour per week. Honestly, is that too much time to ask for?

What are the benefits of including education in your priority schedule? Obviously, it's growth and advancement. Ask yourself this: how do you expect to advance without education, knowledge, or hands-on training?

This consideration is one area I look at to see who is truly committed to the craft. It's also a means to measure who is only a talker versus a doer.

Finally, I would suggest that you determine what is truly needed to get ahead of your competition. Most trade practitioners today seem to be only focused on sales and making money. This is important, but it's never going to grow your skill sets in 'Design' or in 'Installation' techniques.

I've mentioned this before, but the biggest weakness for all landscape lighting practitioners is Design. Making money is another big problem, but how many hyped up sales presentations can you go to? Our trade and industry greatly lacks any good training or education in design advancement. I hope you will take some time to consider this.

09/17/2025

What is One of the Biggest Common Flaws in Landscape Lighting?

There are six common flaws, but this one seems to stand out as a huge problem--Poor Aiming & Positioning of Light Fixtures.

It truly amazes me that this problem exists. One would think this is a problem with only entry-level lighting practitioners, but no...even those with 5-20 years of experience still exhibit this problem. Why? There are two reasons: 1) lack of caring, and 2) lack of knowing any better (understanding). Both are disgraceful.

The problem is easily solved by just spending time on the job site at night to locate and/or aim and adjust light fixtures. In addition, there needs to be a priority in shielding the light source. This step is part of concealment.

Concealment is a practice that was prescribed by the founding father of garden lighting--Frank B. Nightingale. However, many today do not take this as a serious parameter when installing light fixtures. There are very few who take this to heart to ensure this practice. If you are looking for an example of what to do, then consider the work of Mike Gambino of Gambino Landscape Lighting.

The reason I am plugging Mike's work is because he lives and breathes it, daily...he works directly with his crew on every single job. Most of the company leaders in landscape lighting today sit behind a desk and manage. My point is that this is a required skill if you treat this work as an art form.

If you are looking to advance yourself in this trade discipline, then it starts with 'knowledge'. How do you obtain knowledge? Through reading and taking classes to learn what you don't know. In other words, it comes down to 'education.' There are very few resources in landscape lighting and of those that do exist, most are recycled, offering entry to mid-level information. You need to question what and where you are getting your information from, because this will only increase the time factor of your learning properly.

09/12/2025

Interesting Topic of Conversation

Yesterday, I had a long-time colleague reach out to me with an interesting perspective about Ohm's Law and cable sizing. It's interesting how the numbers worked when you applied the formula. But, considering today's parameters with LEDs, etc., many of the "old" concerns with voltage drop or overloading a cable and lighting system have diminished.

The situation discussed if we increase the voltage tap to a cable run, how does this impact the overall cable load? Theoretically, the increase in the voltage will increase the wattage load overall. So, if your parameter is the 'maximum' wattage allowed on a specific cable size, then that's your limit.

For example, a 12/2 cable is rated for a maximum of 240-w. But, we typically apply a safety buffer of loading only to 80%, which would be 192-w. onto this size cable. However, this is based on 12.0-v. using Ohm's Law. If you increase the voltage to 13.0-v., then you increase your results by ~7%. In this case, you go from 192-w. to 208-w. with the same number of lights or watts being used on that circuit. Now you are at 87% load on this cable. At 14.0-v., you are at 224-w. (93% load), and at 15.0-v., you are at 240-v. (100% load).

How many landscape lighting providers randomly throw cables into these higher voltage taps? Do they ever consider this impact? Do they ever measure these electrical values to see the impact on the lighting system? Granted, most installers won't be maxing out a single cable like this, but it does happen. Some do everything in their power to save a buck by running less cable or by using smaller cable sizes, all in the effort to maximize their profits.

So, here's the easy fix. Just install multiple cable runs! Why take the chance on limiting your lighting system? Also, the advantage of multiple runs is that you can have plenty of room to add lights in the future. This decreases your risk of overloading your systems. This all begins at the design stage...plan properly from the get-go.

Photo provided by Google search, typical DIYer or low-budget installer.

09/05/2025

Creating Lighting Zones For Different Experiences

As is a home, there are separate spaces...some for entertainment and socialization, and some for privacy, sleep, and relaxation. This should be the same in landscape lighting design. The garden should contain various spaces (zones) predicated on use. I call them 'Use-Areas.'

Over the past few months, I've read a wonderful book called "Chiaroscuro--a modern guide to lighting outdoor spaces with soul" by Michael Bamling. I know I've plugged his book several times, but he's provided so many great insights that have been great takeaways for me.

Michael talks about creating lighting zones, as follows. "Think of your garden at night not as a single expanse but as a series of subtle, unfolding experiences." Note the keyword, 'Experiences'...this means the emotional aspects found...the atmosphere. He also states, "think in terms of gestures, small, intentional cues that guide movement and emotion."

This subtlety comes in the form of lighting applications. How can we use reflected light within these spaces to stimulate...evoke emotion...and to provide movement? This is where the art of landscape lighting lies. This is something rarely seen or found by many in the practice today. Why? Because most are intrigued by over-illuminating the space. Most lack the understanding to provide equal parts of light and shadow. Contrast is another principle that is lacking.

I'm only saying these things, not as a means to complain about poor performance, but rather to get practitioners to understand the complexities of advanced work. Until one takes the time to understand these differences, they will never advance into the higher form of this art form.

Photo credit: Mike Gambino of Gambino Landscape Lighting

09/02/2025

1st. Step in Landscape Lighting Design--Defining Use-Areas

Recently, I developed a class that would teach ELLI's newer members how best to approach the creation of a conceptual plan. It established priority steps that lighting designers should take to ensure each part of the garden is properly addressed, based on the "purpose" or intent of each space.

Unfortunately, many designers who are new to this practice eagerly jump ahead and bypass these steps. Why does this matter? The reason it does matter is that most will jump immediately into designing a space based on the individual elements within it. Yes, this is the most fun aspect of designing. But one must be patient to understand "how" the space is to be used, and "who" is using the space.

And when this happens (lighting designers not following these principled steps), this leads to a mediocre or poor lighting design. I can support this claim by many reasons, but we'll just leave it here so as not to lengthen this post. My point is that there is a process to follow if one desires to master this art form.

ELLI can open the door to your design advancement in landscape lighting. We can lead you to the water, but we can't make you drink. Unfortunately, this is why the majority in this profession will never achieve their full potential. https://www.landscapelightinginitiative.org/

08/28/2025

Landscape Lighting Design--the Common Missing Link

What makes a garden or landscape interesting and memorable? How do we motivate people to explore these garden spaces at night? Both of these questions present the challenge that many landscape lighters fail to achieve--creating Curiosity.

Curiosity is a powerful lighting design tool. I wanted to share more thoughts from my friend/colleague, Michael Bamling, from his latest book, 'Chiaroscuro'. He states, "If your garden shows all its cards at once, then there's no reason to explore. But, if it hints, if it whispers, you've got engagement, participation, and wonder."

Michael also states that "Curiosity without comfort is just tension." Tension is a form of stress, and it can build into mental fatigue, all of which is not good for one's experience within these spaces. "Comfort in this context doesn't mean visibility; it means orientation."

It's important that landscape lighting designers take the time to ensure the balance between light and shadow, as this allows for contrast. Both balance and contrast are key principles in composition, as well as art. This is why ELLI has created a design course specifically focused on lighting composition.

If you'd like to learn more or to sign up for this online course, please visit the ELLI website: https://lnkd.in/gGiS22ja

Photo credit: George Winterling of Winterling Lighting Design. Notice the curiosity created by the intriguing downlighting in the foreground trees, which leads to the fountain at the back...curiosity motivates one to follow this path forward.

08/25/2025

The Fear of Darkness

There are a lot of extremes in landscape lighting today and most boil down to seeing projects that are either over-illuminated or under-illuminated. Both are bad and serve the end user no good.

In this post, I'd like to discuss the problem of over-illumination. When everything is visible in the landscape, then nothing is special. "Over-lighting leads to emotional flatness. There is no contrast, no mystery, and no invitation to explore." (Michael Bamling--Chiaroscuro, '25). This is absolutely true, as we must experience a mix of light-shadow to engage the senses.

Michael also mentions, "You've replaced nuance wih uniformity. And in doing so, you've stripped the night of its emotional architecture." This tendency and problem is seen many times by inexperienced landscape lighting designers. Many fall victim to fill out the space by light, leaving shadow as an afterthought and completely out of balance.

Just as we've seen in eastern philosophy, Yin-Yang, everything in life revolves around and equal opposite...light-dark, warm-cool, happy-sad, etc. We cannot escape this reality, and our lighting designs must align equally.

To learn more about ELLI, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gGiS22ja

08/21/2025

In Good Lighting Design, Light is Only One Part

The more one studies art, design, and the illumination of spaces, the easier it is to understand that there must be a counterpart for Light. In this case, Shadow or darkness. You cannot have balance, contrast, or unity without it.

As my fellow colleague, Michael Bamling, states, "It's the tension between light and dark that gives a scene emotional weight." If a space is to instill a positive experience, then it should provide for atmosphere and depth. Each of these requires precise manipulation of lighting levels, as well as understanding what the intent of the space is.

If there is too much light within a space, then things look bland or washed out, and it feels somewhat sterile. Too little light or spotty lighting makes the visitor question what they are seeing--confusion. Both of these experiences are bad for landscape lighting design, specifically.

The more I grow and experience lighting design, the more I appreciate these fine subtleties. Lighting isn't about aesthetics and clarity, it's about providing the right mood or atmosphere and feeling to each space. The photo below is by a colleague from Canada of Ambiance Lumiere. Please visit the ELLI website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gGiS22ja

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Why E.L.L.I. is Important to Everyone

The primary reason the Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative exists is to ensure understanding and clarity of the landscape lighting profession. It serves as an educational resource to the consumer, practitioner and professional, as it provides a form of measure with all service providers. Not only does this initiative encourage learning, but it inspires those who practice this art-form to advance themselves to a higher performance level.

My name is Mark Carlson and I have been performing this discipline for 20-years under my landscape lighting design business, Avalon Lighting Design. My work has been recognized nationally and internationally, where I’ve won several professional awards. Other accolades involve the publication of a book, several Guides & Standards, as well as specifications for this particular craft. Although, I can continue on with many more details...my point is that I am highly experienced and am only one of a few within my discipline to obtain this level.

ELLI was established at the beginning of 2019 and it was a vision I had about where my legacy and contributions to society will lie. Currently, I believe the lighting industry is segmented where there is no uniform and common message for the public. Because of this, I believe all parts of this industry needs to align unify in an easily understood way. And the consumer market is most hurt by this--it’s a state of confusion. This common message should focus on the ‘Betterment of Human Health.’

As stated in my first paragraph, understanding and clarity should be the priority, so that we all can successfully provide for the world. Although ELLI caters to the lighting design of outdoor landscaped environments, it does focus in on health. By providing good lighting design, we can greatly impact the psychological and physiological elements of human health--this is a positive benefit.