
Chapter 2
Optics
2.1 Introduction
A basic understanding of the physical properties of light and its interaction
with the optical elements present in cameras is essential in order to identify
the many kinds of visual artifacts that may appear in recorded images, as
well as to compensate them or reduce them as much as possible with image
processing techniques.
In this chapter we will begin by discussing visible light as a form of radia-
tion, and introduce ray diagrams as a very convenient form of representation
of light trajectories. Next we will discuss specular and diffuse reflection and
refraction, which will allow us to explain how lenses work and which ...