Which lighting fixture uses lenses in front of the bulb with concentric rings to soften the beam?

• A. Fresnel Lights
• B. Floodlight
• C. Gels
• D. LED Lamp

Answer: (A)

Soft-edged, controllable beam is achieved by a Fresnel fixture, which uses a lens with concentric rings placed in front of the bulb. That Fresnel lens is designed to be thin and lightweight while shaping light into a softer, wider beam with a smooth edge. By adjusting the fixture’s focus, you can narrow or widen the beam, changing how soft or sharp the edge appears. This makes Fresnel lighting ideal for shaping light on stages or sets where you want a versatile, diffused wash that can still be directed.

The other options don’t fit this description. A floodlight produces a broad beam using a reflector or lens system but isn’t defined by a concentric-ring lens in front of the bulb. Gels are color filters placed in front of the light to change color, not to soften the beam. LED lamps are a light source; the term doesn’t specify the lens design used to soften the beam.