What happens to light intensity as the distance from a light source increases?

As the distance from a light source increases, the light spreads out over a larger area. This phenomenon is described by the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of light (or any point source of energy) is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. Therefore, as you move further away from the light source, the same amount of light must cover a larger area, leading to a decrease in intensity per unit area.

The concept is foundational in understanding how illumination works in various environments, whether in video production or general lighting. Each time the distance is doubled, the intensity is reduced to a quarter of its original value. This effect is crucial for lighting design and can significantly impact the quality of video and photography, as different distances can create varying moods and visibility.

The other options do not align with this principle; for example, the intensity does not increase with distance, nor does it remain unchanged. Additionally, while the sharpness of shadows can change with distance, that is not directly related to how light intensity behaves with distance. Understanding this relationship is vital for producing well-lit video content and achieving the desired visual effects.