
28 LIGHT: THE RAW MATERIAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Absorption
Light that is absorbed by the subject is never again seen as visible light. e
absorbed energy still exists, but the subject emits it in an invisible form,
usually heat (see Figure 2.14).
Like transmission, simple absorption cannot be photographed. It is
“visible” only when we compare it to other light in the scene that is not
absorbed. is is why highly light-absorbing subjects, such as black velvet
or black fur, are among the most dicult things to photograph.
Most subjects absorb part, but not all, of the light striking them. is
partial absorption of light is one of the factors tha ...