#044 GAD BA5: Color and Light

Light is one of the most important resources that we have, without it we would not be able to see. Apart from that, there would be no color, no form to objects and no sense of distance from an object. Light is electromagnetic radiation that is manifested in linear parallel rays which are multi-directional.

Depending on the material and composition of the object, light will be absorbed, reflect, or refract from it. Below are some diagrams and examples:

Absorption:

Light can be absorbed by certain materials, it can even bounce different colors off of the object depending on the color. If you bounce light off of a red object, the reflected light will be red. If you bounce light off of a blue object then the reflected light will be blue, and so on.

Reflection:

When light hits a surface, it will generally reflect off the surface at an angle reverse from the point of origin.

In this image, light is reflected off of the bonnet of a car. Because of the curved nature of the object, the light will bounce off in different directions.

Refraction:

Refraction occurs when a ray of light passes through two separate transparent mediums. The light changes speed as it passes through the second medium, causing it to bend.

Diffused Light:

Diffused light occurs when the surface of a material is not completely flat. Light is bounced off of the multiple faces of the material, being bounced off at different angles. A good example is of the light umbrella used in filming and photography. Light is projected in to it from a source, diffused by the curvature of the umbrella, then reflected off in multiple directions to create a softer more spread out light.