Science for the Curious Photographer: An Introduction to the Science of Photography

What Is Photography? What Is Light? The Camera-An Introduction Images: What Is Perspective? Why Does a Camera Need a Lens? Elementary Optics: How Do Lenses Work? The Simple Thin Lens and What It Does How to Make Lenses that Are Good Enough for Photography Coming to Terms with Real Camera Lenses Table of Contents Fisheye Lenses and How They Capture the Whole Sky What Is an Equivalent Image? How to Get Very High Magnification Do We Need Filters Anymore? The Limits of Human Vision How Can Color Be Managed? Image Capture and Processing What Is Perceived Image Quality? The Creation and Appreciation of Art in Photography Historical Note on Enlargers What Is Behind the Rules of Optics? Derivation of the Lensmaker's Equation Gaussian Optics and the Principal Planes A Macro Lens with Attachments Capturing Photons with Photographic Film Microelectronics and the Path to Digital Sensors Irradiance and Illuminance Units

Charles S. Johnson, Jr. holds a Ph.D in physical chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana, Yale University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he held the title of Smith Professor of Chemistry. He has authored approximately 150 research papers including review articles on magnetic resonance as well as books on laser light scattering and quantum mechanics. His research has been recognized with fellowships from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. He has been elected to the rank of Fellow in the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

It is a very well-written book by a university professor who loves photography. He presents excellent descriptions of the technical details of modern photography. ... This is a unique book, providing the reader with technical details involving digital cameras, lenses, and light in general. It will help the reader to understand how digital cameras and optics work, which may help in selecting cameras and lenses, enabling one to become a more knowledgeable and better photographer. -IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, March/April 2012 A much needed science book for photographers-read this book if you want to gain a complete understanding of your camera and how it works. -Steve Berardi, PhotoNaturalist Johnson's book combines the knowledge of an experienced scientist and educator with the passion of an accomplished photographer. He introduces the scientific foundations of photography and provides interested photographers with the information and practical advice that will help improve their craft. This is also a must read for those interested in computational photography. -Ramesh Raskar, MIT Media Lab An outstanding book that does a remarkable job of weaving together the many facets of photography. The author provides the science that photography is based on and makes it easily understood with a variety of examples and images. In addition he provides a great deal of insight into the human side of color perception, photography, and art. One of the best I've read. -Bill Stice