Claudia Herbst-Tait
Professor
Pratt Institute
Department of Digital Arts


Light: A Few Basic Facts...

The quality of light is determined by its physical and psychological properties.

Physiology:

Visible Light comprises a small region of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Types of waves include gamma, X-rays, UV, infrared, radio waves

Visible light is between UV and Infrared waves

Shorter wavelengths are bluish/violet whereas longer wavelengths are redish



The psychological quality of light is determined by its...

...softness

...intensity and rate of decay

...color

...throw, i.e. direction

...animation

...shadow



Lighting is used to...

...direct the viewer's eye

...create depth

...conveying time of day/the passage of time

...create/enhance the mood

...reveal a character's personality



A note on additive color mixing:

Mixing Primary colors produces white light
Primary colors: red, green, and blue
Secondary colors: yellow, cyan, magenta