Lux machina, or Some Reamrks on Photography and Light

Tomasz FERENC

Katedra Socjologii Sztuki, Instytut Socjologii, Wydział Ekonomiczno-Socjologiczny, Uniwersytet Łódzki, ul. Rewolucji 1905 r., 90-214 Łódź, Poland , Poland

Bartłomiej TALAGA

Katedra Fotografii, Wydział Operatorski i Realizacji Telewizyjnej, Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Filmowa, Telewizyjna i Teatralna im. Leona Schillera, ul. Targowa 61/63, 90-323 Łódź, Poland , Poland

Abstract

In this text we assume that the invention of photography was a consequence of the study of light and its properties, which began in antiquity. We analyze the philosophical premises leading to the invention of photography and the factor which was crucial to the entire process, namely, the phenomenon of image formation taking place inside a device called a camera obscura. We pay close attention to the differences between natural and artificial light and the changing trends in the use of light by photographers.

Keywords:

photography, light, camera obscura, flash, art, perception