ABSTRACT
One might argue that photography really is all about light. Light may be the singular most important ingredient in a photograph. In most situations there is plenty of light for use when photographing but often that light is not optimized for the uniqueness of the sample or situation. The light is simply present and without character. In many instances it only possesses brightness. A poor analogy but an effective one would be to consider trying to use a butter knife for surgery. The word “photography” means to write with light. Choosing and using light is one of the most fundamental tools in the photographic process and leads to what can be observed in or on an object and subsequently recorded during the photographic exposure. Achieving success when photographing in science requires a complete and practical working knowledge of applied light with its well-understood and predictable behaviors.
