Apparatus and a method for combining radiant energy of substantially distinct spectral bands to produce a light source having predetermined color temperature or chromaticity characteristics. The apparatus comprises a generating source that generates emissions of radiant energy from at least two spatial emission regions. Each of the spatial emission regions emits radiant energy in a substantially distinct spectral band. The apparatus further comprises an optical directing system that directs a substantial portion of the radiant energy emitted from the emission regions. The optical directing system includes a positioning region that contains a near focus and a combining region that contains a far focus. The generating source is supported substantially within the positioning region of the optical directing system such that the radiant energy, emitted from the spatial emission regions, is substantially directed to the far focus and combined within the combining region to produce an effective light source having predetermined color temperature or chromaticity characteristics.