Light Science: Physics and the Visual Arts / Edition 1

by Thomas D. Rossing, Christopher J Chiaverina

Overview

Intended for students in the visual arts and for others with an interest in art, but with no prior knowledge of physics, this book presents the science behind what and how we see. The approach emphasises phenomena rather than mathematical theories and the joy of discovery rather than the drudgery of derivations. The text includes numerous problems, and suggestions for simple experiments, and also considers such questions as why the sky is blue, how mirrors and prisms affect the colour of light, how compact disks work, and what visual illusions can tell us about the nature of perception. It goes on to discuss such topics as the optics of the eye and camera, the different sources of light, photography and holography, colour in printing and painting, as well as computer imaging and processing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441931696
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	12/01/2010
Series:	Undergraduate Texts in Contemporary Physics Series
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 1999
Pages:	442
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.05(d)

Table of Contents

Our World of Light and Color.- The Mystery of Light.- Reflection.- Refraction.- Interference and Diffraction.- Light Sources.- Polarized Light.- Color Vision.- Holography.- Photography.- Computer Images.- Optical Recording, Communication and Photonics.- Symmetry in Art and Nature.- Visual Illusions.

Editorial Reviews

…aspects of this book are gems and I felt almost driven to want to develop a course which might be based on sections of it…the authors show deep knowledge of and empathy for their material. It is fascinating and close to inspirational…the experiments are the crowning glory and make the book worth every penny for the university teacher of light and optics. This is brilliant stuff.

—The Physicist

From the Publisher