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Clubs, bars, and small venues are the places where most concert and live music photographers get their start, the reason being that there are fewer restrictions since the performers are less likely to...
Well, I'll let the author cover that in her own words.
Students learning about color, especially those in computer science,
engineering and digital media
Engineers and computer scientists who need to learn about digital color
Graphic artists and digital photographers who are tired of books that present
only "how to" without describing "why?"
Experts in one field of color who want to learn about other fields
Anyone wanting a broad introduction to digital color
The book is divided in 12 chapters, each covering a different aspect of
digital color. One excellent principle which runs through the book is the
citation of reference works, both books and journal articles, which can provide
further information for the interested reader. There's also an extensive
annotated bibliography at the end of the book.
Chapter 1 - Color Vision
Chapter one covers the physical and physiological basic of color. It
introduces the concepts of the spectrum of visible light, rod and cone light
sensitive cells in the eye and trichromacity - the ability to describe
colors in terms of three color stimuli (red, green and blue). This chapter also
introduces CIE colorimetry which is the foundation for all color space
schemes.
Chapter 2 - Color Appearance
In chapter two the author discusses perceptual color spaces such as L*,a*,b*
(LAB color) and gives their mathematical derivation. This is perhaps the most
technical chapter, but contains nothing more than simple linear algebraic
equations. You don't have to understand the equations to grasp the underlying
concepts though, and the chapter and rest of the book are quite readable even if
you skip the math!
Chapter 3 - RGB and Brightness
Another chapter with a little math, in chapter 3 the author analyses the RGB
and sRGB system, brightness scales and non-linear color spaces.
Chapter 4 - Color in Nature
In this chapter the author explains the origin or colors in nature, from
variations in the spectrum of the illuminating source to diffraction and
interference patterns, scattering and refraction (rainbows). It also covers
pigments, paints and dyes.
Chapter 5 - Color Reproduction
Chapter 5 covers tome mapping and color balance and introduces histograms. It
also covers color for broadcast TV reproduction and graphic arts.
Chapter 6 - Image Capture
This chapter describes the color systems used by cameras and scanners. The use
or red, green and blue filters and the use of Bayer color arrays. It discusses
coding systems such as TIFF, JPEG, PNG
Chapter 7 - Additive Color Systems
Additive color system are those which generate color by the addition of
colors. These include CRT monitors, flat panel displays (LCD, plasma) and digital
projectors. They typically use Red, Green and Blue light sources
Chapter 8 - Subtractive Color Systems
Subtractive color systems are used for printing, whether by ink jet, dye sub
or laser based printers, or by printing on conventional photographic paper. They
typically use Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (CMYK) inks. This chapter covers
the color aspects of printing digital images.
Chapter 9 - Color
Management Systems
Chapter 9 covers the theory behind color management. Though Photoshop 6.0 is
used as an example, as the author said upfront, this isn't a "How to" guide. It
covers the theory behind color profiles, color gamuts and gamut mapping, and
different RGB working spaces such as sRGB and Adobe RGB.
Chapter 10 - Computer Graphics
This chapter covers color in 3D graphics computer rendering.
Chapter 11 - Color Selection and Design
Chapter 11 covers the aesthetics of color, which colors "work" next to other
colors, complementary colors etc.
Chapter 12 - Color in Information Display
In the final chapter the author discusses the use of color to present
information, such as in color coding maps.
Conclusion
Overall this book fills a gap in the literature of digital color. It presents
the principles behind many of the concepts familiar to digital photographers, but
which are never explained in detail in photography or digital imaging books aimed
at the consumer. On the other hand it's no so technical as to be unintelligible
to someone who doesn't have a degree in physics or computer science. It's
certainly not a "how to" book, and after reading it you won't be able to control
all the color aspects of your digital photography. However you may understand
better what you're doing when you do follow "how to" guides which are a little
light on explanations.
Recommended for the technically orriented reader who wants to know more about
digital color.
I should also say that the book is published by A.K.Peters Ltd. of Natick, MA. Copyright is 2003, ISBN is 1-56881-161-6 and there are 326 numbered pages.
Funny this should come up just at the time when I started looking for something to learn color theory! Thanks for review Bob.
Does this book cover things like what is meaning of 'bias' and 'gain' when setting custom color temperature on a monitor or how do 'perceptual' and 'relative' color space conversions work?
People interested in the color side of digital imaging might also consider the Real World series books by Bruce Fraser. If you're shooting digital and printing inkjet, I'd recommend this trio: Real World Adobe Camera Raw, Real World Photoshop CS, and Real World Color Management. Between these three, pretty much any concept you could think of, or need to think of, is covered. The books explain everything from optical theory and physics to the settings on the buttons actually used in practice. For those also printing to press, the addition of Professional Photoshop by Dan Margulis completes a formidable collection of usable information.
Unlike reviews of photo equipments, reviews of photo related books tend not to make comparisons between books on similar subjects. I really appreciate equipment reviews that compare a reviewed equipment with similar equipments which I am familiar with. It provides a much needed context. With all the digital photo books I have already read, and many more showing up in the bookstores almost daily, I think much value can be added if book reviews can include comparisons. BTW, why is this book picked to be reviewed?
Chapter 1 - Color Vision
Chapter 4 - Color in Nature
Chapter 9 - Color
Management Systems
, March 02, 2005; 11:25 P.M. 
