Method for controlling an illuminant comprising at least two semiconductor light sources and connected to an electrical energy source, wherein - the illuminant converts an electrical power provided by the electrical energy source, by means of the semiconductor light sources, into an emitted light power dependent on the electrical power provided, - the electrical power provided is set by means of a control device by virtue of electrical power being applied to the semiconductor light sources in clocked operation by means of the control device, - the semiconductor light sources are controlled in accordance with clock pulse sequences individually assigned to the semiconductor light sources, - the clock pulse sequences form a common pulse pattern (I, II) and the light power emitted by the illuminant is set by the selection of a pulse pattern (I, II) assigned to the light power, - switching over from a first pulse pattern assigned to a first emitted light power to a second pulse pattern assigned to a second emitted light power is carried out for the purpose of changing the light power emitted by the illuminant, and characterized in that - switching over from the first to the second pulse pattern comprises interposing at least one third pulse pattern (Z1, Z2, Z3) assigned to a light power between the first light power and the second light power, and - the electrical power provided by the electrical energy source is converted by means of an electronic clocked energy converter, wherein the electronic clocked energy converter is controlled proactively by means of the control device, wherein - the proactive control comprises communicating a suitable control signal to the electronic clocked energy converter before a clock pulse sequence and/or a pulse pattern (I, II) are/is activated by means of the control device. - the illuminant converts an electrical power provided by the electrical energy source, by means of the semiconductor light sources, into an emitted light power dependent on the electrical power provided, - the electrical power provided is set by means of a control device by virtue of electrical power being applied to the semiconductor light sources in clocked operation by means of the control device, - the semiconductor light sources are controlled in accordance with clock pulse sequences individually assigned to the semiconductor light sources, - the clock pulse sequences form a common pulse pattern (I, II) and the light power emitted by the illuminant is set by the selection of a pulse pattern (I, II) assigned to the light power, - switching over from a first pulse pattern assigned to a first emitted light power to a second pulse pattern assigned to a second emitted light power is carried out for the purpose of changing the light power emitted by the illuminant, and - switching over from the first to the second pulse pattern comprises interposing at least one third pulse pattern (Z1, Z2, Z3) assigned to a light power between the first light power and the second light power, and - the electrical power provided by the electrical energy source is converted by means of an electronic clocked energy converter, wherein the electronic clocked energy converter is controlled proactively by means of the control device, wherein - the proactive control comprises communicating a suitable control signal to the electronic clocked energy converter before a clock pulse sequence and/or a pulse pattern (I, II) are/is activated by means of the control device.