Why does light from a fireplace in the dark seem to dissipate abruptly? Why does it not dissipate smoothly over a larger area?

Question

Goes for any light source really, just using a fireplace/bonfire as an example. If you were to look at a bonfire from a distance in the dark, the light seems to stop rather suddenly. But the only way you’re seeing it in the first place is from the light hitting your eyes.

In: 3

Answer 1

In addition remember that campfires or bonfires tend to be in wide open spaces with no surfaces for the light to reflect off of. Indoor lights seem to “carry” more because they reflect off walls or ceilings, etc.

Even indoor fireplaces are designed to dissipate heat/light as quickly as possible to avoid overheating and combusting any nearby surfaces.