Product Description

An introduction to the science of light and color and its applications to photography, art, natural phenomena, and other related areas. Explains the origin of phenomena commonly encountered in nature and art, emphasizing the physical aspects but also touching on aspects of physiology and psychology that directly influence how visual images are perceived. Covers the effect of mixing color, the notion of color spaces, how atoms and molecules affect light, how light can be measured, the effect of using a lens, and many other topics. Requires little or no mathematical background. Includes questions and references for further reading.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1012082 in Books
• Published on: 1983-02-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 512 pages

Review
Instructor's Manual available. -- The publisher, John Wiley & Sons

From the Publisher
An introduction to the science of light and color and its applications to photography, art, natural phenomena, and other related areas. Explains the origin of phenomena commonly encountered in nature and art, emphasizing the physical aspects but also touching on aspects of physiology and psychology that directly influence how visual images are perceived. Covers the effect of mixing color, the notion of color spaces, how atoms and molecules affect light, how light can be measured, the effect of using a lens, and many other topics. Requires little or no mathematical background. Includes questions and references for further reading.

From the Inside Flap
This expansive, detailed treatment provides the color theory and optics background your students need to understand light and color phenomena in nature and art. Drawn from over 10 years of teaching experience, this innovative new text presents a broad range of topics allowing instructors the flexibility to pick and choose specific subjects. Among the many topics discussed are polarized light, lasers and the electro-optics of television sets (both color and black and white). Light and Color in Nature and Art is guaranteed to stimulate interest in students of diverse backgrounds. Practical applications to art, photography, holography, television, color printing, stage lighting, and atmospheric effects are highlighted with numerous examples and illustrations. The authors trace the evolution of modern color theory from Newton’s crucial experiments through the origins of psychophysics in the 19th century to the establishment of an objective system of color measurement and specifications in the 20th century. Students are introduced to the elemental theory of ray optics and optical instruments, the operation of the eye, and the concepts underlying the production of light and its measurement. Then, a series of independent chapters carefully analyze the optics of a wide range of phenomena. Color plates help bring color phenomena to life for your students. And … questions and annotated references at the end of each chapter make this extensively illustrated text an invaluable reference source.

Customer Reviews

A primer on the science behind art
First and foremost a science textbook, Light and Color in Nature and Art covers the mathmatics and chemistry behind different lighting phenomena and how they are captured on film or canvas versus seen by the human eye.

While artists may be tempted to pick up the book for a deeper understanding of color theory or the science of film emulsion, the book is highly technical and does not really lend itself toward artistic development. Definitely not a necessary addition to the artists' bookshelf, but a worthy textbook for those interested in physics.

great stuff
One of the most informative books i have read. Note that this book was used for a college course at NYU in the early 80s... Full of optical principles some of which go slightly above the average artists head. Only read this if you remember your physics classes from high school quite well and can stand tons of text book reading. It took me months to read and digest all of this information. I had to re-read sections several times.