Seeing The Light: Optics In Nature, Photography, Color, Vision, And Holography
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The most complete and lucid nonmathematical study of light available. Chapters are self-contained, making the book flexible and easy to read. Coverage includes such non-traditional topics as processes of vision and the eye, atmospherical optical phenomena, color perception and illusions, color in nature and in art, Kirilian photography, and holography. Includes experiments that can be carried out with simple equipment. Chapters contain optional advanced sections, and appendixes review the mathematics for quantitative aspects. Illustrated, including a four-color insert.

Hardcover: 446 pages

Publisher: Wiley (November 1, 1986)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0471603856

ISBN-13: 978-0471603856

Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 1.2 x 11.3 inches

Shipping Weight: 3 pounds

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #315,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #29 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography & Video > Equipment, Techniques & Reference > Color #93 in Books > Science & Math > Physics > Optics #9207 in Books > Textbooks > Science & Mathematics

I first discovered this book when I asked a physics professor down the hall for an explanation of diffraction and refraction in relation to some daytime sky phenomenon. He handed me Seeing the Light, and before long I coveted the volume. The authors dress down optical physics into explanations that anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of physics can understand, relating optical phenomenon to everyday events and objects. The diagrams and photos help clarify the explanation. And practical, hands-on suggested activities help drive the point home. This book would be great for physics teachers -- or teachers at any level. How about pinhole cameras or illusion drawings for class projects?

One of the best science textbooks I've ever read. Clearly written and interesting to read. Heavy on concepts, light on math. Diagrams are simple but effective. It's rare to see a physics book as approachable as this one. As an amateur photographer and research microscopist, I love this book. Some parts of the text are a bit outdated (remember it was published in 1986), but the vast majority is valuable information. This is a great tool for physics students and teachers.

This is the best textbook I ever had, and I sold it for some ($$$) at the end of a semester to buy a bus ticket. Very mad; I miss the book, but it's so expensive. It's amazing the way the author incorporates all sorts of literary allusions in this physics book, such as offering an interesting hypothesis on the optical illusion of the egyptians getting swallowed by the red sea while chasing the jews. Every chapter, light becomes a metaphor for so many things, the way we see, the obstacles, etc.

I first discovered this book when I asked a physics professor down the hall for an explanation of diffraction and refraction in relation to some daytime sky phenomenon. He handed me Seeing the Light, and before long I coveted the volume. The authors dress down optical physics into explanations that anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of physics can understand, relating optical phenomenon to everyday events and objects. The diagrams and photos help clarify the explanation. And practical, hands-on suggested activities help drive the point home. This book would be great for physics teachers -- or teachers at any level. How about pinhole cameras or illusion drawings for class projects?

A truly great book for learning a wide breadth of both basic and complex optical physics ideas. As a physicist and patent attorney, I have used this book as a reference for many years with great satisfaction and great enjoyment. I have given this book as a gift to people who have a curiosity of optics and all of my recipients have truly enjoyed learning from this book. I also recommend this book to fellow patent attorneys who need concise and clear descriptions of optical physics for their patent drafting. I see that there is a one star rating for this book on the website. As a person who has used, appreciated, and enjoyed this book for nearly three decades, I do not understand how a one star review can be given. This is my go to book when I need a refresher, when I need to learn something new, when I need to teach, and when I just want to enjoy a great optics book. Buy this book, use it, learn from it, enjoy it.

This is a very confusing book. It purports an easy, clear and even funny way of explaining the basics physics of light. Instead you get partial and at times inconsistent explanations and mostly useless figures. Nothing can be worst in an introductory text than to give the idea that the subject is too difficult and that the best you would be able to do is to get the easiest concepts half understood. If you are interested in the physics of light and you don't have a scientific background, look somewhere else.

Cheap, good condition and what I needed. WHat lese could you ask for. It provided me with the information needed to succeed in my class. Highly suggested if they havent made any newer editions.

Awesome book, I admire the knowledge of authors and the way they present material. It is full of examples from real life, clear explanations, and it revealed the beauty of optics to me.

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