Interactions of Light with Materials

Abstract

Visual perception of materials is crucial for our interactions with the world around us, and understanding the optical and perceptual mechanisms behind it has applications from spectral tuning to holistic appearance tuning. How real materials appear optically is determined by the real light they are in and described by ecological optics. With formal psychophysical experiments we test the perception of their color and texture, how matte/glossy, rough/smooth, hard/soft, glittery, velvety, etcetera we perceive them to be – and how those percepts are related to the ecological optics. I will present a series of studies into light-material-interactions and material perception of computer rendered, real, and painted materials. In addition, I will present research into effects of materials on light, and how materials can be used to make spatial and form-giving qualities of light visible in empty space, using "light probes."