Basic Photography Course

CHAPTER 1

THEORY OF LIGHT AND OPTICAL PRINCIPLES

Light is the photographer's medium, and a

photograph is the image of a pattern of light recorded on
film. The word photography means writing or drawing
with light. Without light there could be no vision or
photography because it is light reflected from the world
around us that makes things visible to both our eyes and
the eye of the camera. The nature of light has a critical
effect on the pictures you make. Few photographers

actually understand much about light. But they are not
alone. Scientists have never been able to agree fully
about the nature of light. However, certain useful things
are clear and well understood about how light behaves.

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiant energy to

which the eye is sensitive. It travels at tremendous speed
from its source, such as the sun, a fluorescent lamp, an

electronic flash, or whatever source is used. It has an
effect on the materials it falls on, skin becomes tanned,

and fruit is ripened by the light of the sun. Depending
on the way in which light is received or rejected, a
complex pattern of light, shade, and color results.

Other types of radiant energy, such as radio waves

and X rays, are similar to light but the eye cannot see
them. Thus they are not light. By definition, light is
electromagnetic energy visible to the human eye. All
other electromagnetic energy is invisible, therefore, is
not considered light. Ultraviolet and infrared radiations
are two such invisible radiations that are of concern to
the photograper.

Light makes up the visible spectrum, which is a small

part of the entire electromagnetic spectrum (fig. 1-1).

C302.7

Figure 1-1.The electromagnetic energy spectrum.

1-1

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Basic Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> CHAPTER 1 THEORY OF LIGHT AND OPTICAL PRINCIPLES Light is the photographer's medium, and a photograph is the image of a pattern of light recorded on film. The word photography means writing or drawing with light. Without light there could be no vision or photography because it is light reflected from the world around us that makes things visible to both our eyes and the eye of the camera. The nature of light has a critical effect on the pictures you make. Few photographers actually understand much about light. But they are not alone. Scientists have never been able to agree fully about the nature of light. However, certain useful things are clear and well understood about how light behaves. Light is a form of electromagnetic radiant energy to which the eye is sensitive. It travels at tremendous speed from its source, such as the sun, a fluorescent lamp, an electronic flash, or whatever source is used. It has an effect on the materials it falls on, skin becomes tanned, and fruit is ripened by the light of the sun. Depending on the way in which light is received or rejected, a complex pattern of light, shade, and color results. Other types of radiant energy, such as radio waves and X rays, are similar to light but the eye cannot see them. Thus they are not light. By definition, light is electromagnetic energy visible to the human eye. All other electromagnetic energy is invisible, therefore, is not considered light. Ultraviolet and infrared radiations are two such invisible radiations that are of concern to the photograper. Light makes up the visible spectrum, which is a small part of the entire electromagnetic spectrum (fig. 1-1). C302.7 Figure 1-1.The electromagnetic energy spectrum. 1-1 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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