Luminance is a measure of the amount of light that is emitted, reflected, or transmitted from a surface in a specific direction. It is an important concept in fields like photography, television, and lighting design, as it helps determine how bright an object appears to the human eye. Luminance is typically measured in units called candelas per square meter (cd/m²). In technical terms, luminance takes into account both the intensity of the light and the area from which it is coming. It differs from illuminance, which measures the total amount of light hitting a surface, and from brightness, which is a subjective perception of light. Understanding luminance is essential for creating visually appealing images and environments.