Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative

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Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative

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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.

10/04/2026

Professional Recognition & Relevance--Do You Even Care About It?

I'm speaking out once again, as a courtesy to our professional trade, as well as to help educate consumers (homeowners) about the craze and trend in the use of 'colored lighting systems.' Stop and ask yourselves..."What are the long-term impacts of this use?" Most haven't.

Currently, the craze of permanent holiday lighting and holiday lighting has taken over the landscape lighting profession. Many of the service providers have jumped on board with this trend because it's an easy sell. The problem is that this WILL tarnish your reputation and relevance, professionally speaking.

How will this hurt the service provider? You will never be recognized as a true artist in the landscape lighting discipline. If you are okay with that, then keep slopping out horrendous displays! However, if you are doing it just to stay busy...then you are establishing your place (position) in the bottom-feeder pool.

If you are a consumer (homeowner)...consider the following, as these will be the after-effects:

* Decreased home value--due to inappropriate and poor neighborhood displays. The more and more your neighbors attempt to compete with you, or to have their own thematic displays...the more trashy your neighborhood looks. The aesthetics of your neighborhood greatly lessen as you see more and more of these displays. Welcome to Candyland!

* Potential fire hazards--this is the case for permanent holiday lighting on homes, as well as holiday lighting. Why? Most of the guys doing this installation are not licensed electricians. You are working with 120-v. electricity...all electricity is and can be dangerous, especially with those who do not understand it.

* Increased psychological impacts--"color" and color use will affect people differently. Many do not like certain colors or color combinations. Therefore, displaying these colors to all of your neighbors is likely to create negative experiences. People will complain to your city (municipal agencies, etc.), and lighting ordinances will come.

The landscape lighting design profession is supposed to be a professional craft and art form...something classy, professional, and respected equally with other lighting design applications. This will NEVER happen with this kind of behavior taking place. Wake up...so-called professionals!

And for the consumers...stop treating lighting design like a toy or game. Enough's enough. It's time for everyone to be properly educated in lighting design. It all starts with composition and understanding art.

10/02/2026

Friday Fails!

And the colored light nonsense continues. Here's another wonderful display that I came across while driving across town. Personally, I just don't get it...why are people enamored with this type of lighting?

What are the positives, if any? At least the colors work together...green, blue, and purple. At least the installer provided the same look to each side of the drive entry, as a symmetrical design--the same wash washing, as well as the same beacon lights along the drive.

Of all of the negatives that I could express, the biggest one is: where does this lead to, and why? There's no focal point/emphasis. Therefore, what is the destination? Typically, when patterns occur...they lead the eye through repetition to a break or stopping point, which is the emphasis. The entry gate is more or less in darkness, and this is where the lighting stops? There's a home well beyond the gate, and you can see a light on part of it. But, that's it.

So, back to my question...what is the point of these colored lights? Is it only to attract attention to the property entrance? Do the homeowners tell their friends..."just look for the colored lighting display at our entry...it's the only home in the area that looks like this?" Do people really think this type of look is going to add "value" to the property? Like I said...I don't get it.

09/25/2026

Friday Fails!

This was an interesting drive-by within another well-to-do neighborhood in my region. This Oak tree...large and majestic, is awesome, but this is the only element illuminated on the property. What...why? It was all done with (3) 120-volt floodlights...glare included! This was obviously an "electrician's" work.

My biggest beef with this job is the fact that there is no context for this element...it's all by itself and completely overtakes the whole scene/space. What's the purpose of the front yard in most residences? To lead people to the front door. The only reason we see part of the house is because of one of the floodlights is aimed at it.

There's no composition whatsoever to this scene. Maybe this tree is supposed to be a monument for the entire neighborhood to recognize...much like an isolated lighthouse set on the cliffs of the ocean?

Have a great weekend.

09/18/2026

Friday Fails! (Maybe I should say...Decade Fails!)

Good Lord!....what is wrong with our profession (landscape lighting)? I just keeps getting worse and worse...this push for colored lights everwhere, as well as the lame permanent holiday lighting trend.

I wouldn't be surprised if the entire lighting industry, as well as the landscape & interior design communities, are laughing at us right now. How are we even supposed to be taken seriously, as a profession, when we are allowing this kind of behavior and practice to be accepted under our efforts?

This photo below is one I saw yesterday, posted by one of the bigger landscape lighting manufacturers, as if this were "good" for our craft. Every time I see these piss-poor representations, it just makes me want to puke!

And as usual, our leading trade associations, organizations, and manufacturers ALL turn a blind eye to this...they only care about what trends are putting money into their pockets. It's disgraceful! So much for trying to have high standards and expectations.

Seriously people...we have to take a stance against all of this or we are only going to push our entire profession back into the bottom-feeder pond. We already battle the misconception that we are a blue-collar trade...a commodity service...this only solidifies these thoughts.

Lastly..."landscape lighting manufacturers"...why don't you do something positive for our trade craft and stop accepting poor representations all in the name of making a quick buck!

09/11/2026

Friday Fails!

Here's another attempt at landscape lighting by someone with little experience. I don't know if we should be saying..."They are trying, which is good to see", or "It's time to hire someone who understands lighting design"? Regardless, there are a lot of problems here.

The primary problems are: 1) Over-illumination, 2) 'Hot-Spots' & Glare, 3) Improper fixture types, and Poor fixture placement. Let's first address the glare and hot-spots from the wall sconce lights and the under-eave lights. These are essentially, nuisance lighting that was intended more for security lighting.

The entire front of the house is over-illuminated. Where's the ambiance? Would you want to sit out there and attempt to "relax"--doubtful? The deck post-mount lights are doing nothing because of the excessive wash lighting coming off of the house--why have them?

The wrong fixture types were used at the left side, rock garden area, as they are all aimed upward...providing glare to any viewers off of the deck. Also, the steps down from the entry deck are using similar lights (aimed upward to the sky), and it looks like they were intended to illuminate the steps for safety purposes. This does nothing for safety except for to cause additional safety issues.

Yikes! is all I can say. Time to study this art form.

09/05/2026

What A Pathetic Display!

I am really amazed at how so few can effectively communicate their position, either in a discussion or a debate. A colleague in the landscape lighting community made a post two days ago expressing the need for us to lead the change in how consumers view lighting trends...in this case, permanent holiday lighting.

This person is Nick Shriver (Marvelux Outdoor Lighting/Decorating Elves), who is currently the president of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP), asked for comments as to what we were all seeing in the industry.

With that said, I stated my thoughts, which essentially said:

1) We have no single authority to control or communicate good, proper information to the consumer.

2) Our trade associations (including AOLP) have never stepped up to provide for this communication deficit.

3) The majority of landscape lighting providers see this new trend as a means to make extra $$$ without any concern for the impact it will cause our profession, industry, and our communities.

4) There will be future problems, including lighting ordinances and declining property values--all due to these obnoxious displays.

I'm posting this to spread the word and to keep this discussion open, as it is important for all of us to consider. Nick immediately attacked my statements, even though he asked everyone for comments. Why ask if you are afraid to debate? I'm happy to discuss or debate this whole topic because I believe it is bad for us to NOT push for our professional protection in this discipline and art form (landscape lighting design). As of this morning, Nick has shut off all comments.

What's truly sad is that Nick is in an active board position for the AOLP--he is supposed to be representing an organization, as well as being in the role of protecting our profession...the trade, but what does this say? He, as well as several in these leadership positions, just turn a blind eye to real-world problems. What does the AOLP stand for...what is their role for the whole profession? Is it only to have a networking social group? It's time to face the challenges that exist, and it NEEDS to include educating the consumer.

08/21/2026

Friday Fails!

Here's another beauty to behold in landscape lighting. Unfortunately, this is a common scene for many service providers without proper design training.

There are several things wrong with this landscape lighting design: no depth, spotty 'hot-spots', poor light fixture positioning, and wrong emphasis. Let's address each of these below:

No Depth--due to the lack of control over light levels, as well as not providing the proper illumination at the background elements. Yes...there's a home back there and it's basically in the dark void.

Spotty/'Hot-Spots'--due to poor ambient lighting and no use of lighting levels. The majority of the space has "light" and "dark", as its lighting scheme. There is a little bit of glow in a couple of trees because of the up lighting into or onto the tree canopies, which is helpful.

Poor Fixture Positioning--you can tell the installer was inexperienced because the light fixtures under the trees are more or less butted-up against the tree trunks (way too close), thereby creating 'hot-spots' on the trunks. In addition, the trees in the foreground are positioned differently. That may be okay if the overall design was providing the depth needed to draw the eye back to the home. But, because the some of the foreground trees are illuminated from the front (street side), they draw more attention for the eye to stop there. This is not good.

Wrong Emphasis--because the foreground trees (those that are front lit) capture the most attention, they become the emphasis (focal point) of the scene. This is bad because it does not draw the eye or visitors to the home, which is the purpose (generally speaking) of the front yard. You need a strong emphasis at the front of the home (entry/door) to direct pedestrian flow for wayfinding.

There ya go...another winner for Friday Fails.

08/14/2026

Friday Fails!

I'm showing these photos as a "fail" because this seems to be the typical situation with most HOA's and the housing communities they serve. There are 3 things here to address, because it impacts not only these communities but our trade profession--landscape lighting.

#1 Poor to No Maintenance Program--although the landscapes may be maintained, the landscape lighting systems normally aren't. As you can see here...these are older fixtures, and the concrete base for the riser stem of this floodlight is way out of plumb. This will show in the lighting application, as well as it shows during the daytime...a mismanaged operation.

#2 Old Technology--this light fixture is using an old, outdated light source (compact fluorescent). Not only are these not as energy efficient as LED's, it is not that safe for the environment. These light sources contain Mercury, which is a toxic metal.

#3 HOA Management Company--they are the controlling element, as well as the HOA Board, to ensure that the community property is effectively maintained. It's obvious that there is little concern over any of this...maybe there's no budget either? But this goes to show you the level of priority that they place on "lighting" within these communities.

We all need to identify these conditions to the board/management company if we are working on these job sites. Most management companies are clueless about establishing any proper maintenance programs. And consumers/homeowners are usually ignorant to these matters, as well.

08/07/2026

Friday Fails!

Here we go again, whether it's the DIY'er or the wannabe lighting designer attempting to illuminate a backyard space. Granted, this solution...the use of bistro lights definitely illuminates the property; it's overkill and a mood killer.

This is a perfect example of over-illumination. This level of lighting makes the space feel bland and without interest. How is one supposed to relax and enjoy the nighttime space when it looks like this?

One would think that consumers would learn after years or decades of seeing examples like this, but no...this practice continues to haunt our profession, as well as lighting design.

Anyway, here's your Friday Fail...have a great weekend.

07/24/2026

Friday Fails

It's my guess that this landscape lighting job was a combination of the landscaper doing the initial lighting in the front yard, and then the homeowner (DIY'er) doing some added work with the colored lights and festoon lighting. But, then again...in these times...nothing surprises me.

So, when I teach students about what the purpose of the front yard is, as it applies to lighting design, it should lead people to the front door (for residential work). Looking at this photo, does this do that? I would bet that most would say "no." This landscape lighting job is a mess--the nicest way to put it.

Without diving into composition too much, let me ask you this...where does your eye go when looking at this scene? Does it go to the garage doors with the matching sconce lights to each side? Does it go to the wood fence that has a red colored light on it and the linear display of festoon lights? Or, does it go to the uplit trees to the right? This is a big problem that causes mental confusion for the visitor.

The next part of this mess is why are there several glaring path lights placed to create 'hot-spots' in the landscape? What purpose do these really serve, other than adding to the confusion?

As a closing statement, this is why lighting design education is so important. "Design" and the teaching of landscape lighting design is almost non-existent today. Our lighting manufacturers and distributors only seem to care about selling products so they put little to no real effort into training people from this perspective. It's truly a shame. When you are ready to learn true skill proficiency in landscape lighting design...contact me/us at ELLI.

Address

Sacramento, CA

Telephone

+19165329699

Website

https://www.landscapelightinginitiative.org/

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