Light Science and Magic 4/e

will increase contrast in a dark subject, whereas decreasing exposure may increase contrast in a light gray scene.

Light that is absorbed by the subject is never again seen as visible light. The absorbed energy still exists, but the subject emits it in an invisible form, usually heat

1. The effective size of the light source is the single most important decision in lighting a photograph. It determines what types of shadows are produced and may affect the type of reflection. 2. Three types of reflections are possible from any surface. They determine why any surface looks the way it does. 3. Some of these reflections occur only if l

Unlike the field around the magnet, however, the electromagnetic field around the photon is not constant in strength. Instead, it fluctuates as the photon travels. If we could see this change in the strength of the field it would look something like Figure 2.1.

To photographers, the important principles of light are those that predict how it will behave.

increasing exposure

we are primarily concerned with the brightness, color, and contrast of the light.

Absorption

describing the light implies seeing the light well enough to know whether to shoot or to wait until conditions improve.