A method of utilizing a light replication luminaire to match the spectral characteristics of light that is output from the luminaire to the spectral characteristics of a target light spectrum is provided. In one example, the method permits the user to assign a weight to one or more characteristics of the target light spectrum to be replicated. A best approximation of the target light spectrum is then determined, taking into account the weight assigned to each characteristic. In another example, the target light spectrum is provided to the luminaire by the user through the specification of various characteristics of the target light spectrum.