Translucent.

In the context of photography, a substance or medium which partially blocks the passage of light or which scatters light heavily.

Translucent material is generally milky in appearance when illuminated from behind. That is to say, some light passes through the material (it isn’t opaque) but not enough light passes through directly to allow you to see through it (it isn’t transparent either). Light passing through translucent material is, therefore, scattered.

Translucent material is used for the surface of light tables, for diffusing filters, etc.

cf. diffused light, light, opacity, opaque, scattering, transparent.

Entry last updated 2002-04-27. Term 1240 of 1487.

Previous term: tranny.

Next term: transmissive light.

 

This document is copyright © 2002-2008 NK Guy, PhotoNotes.org. This information is provided with neither warranties nor claims of accuracy or completeness of any sort. Use this information at your own risk. All trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.

You may copy and print this document for your own personal use. You may not, however, reprint or republish this work, in whole or in part, without prior permission from me, the author. Such republication includes inclusion of this work in other Web sites, Web pages, FTP archives, books, magazines or other periodicals, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM compilations or any other form of publication or distribution. Please do not frame this site within another.

Please send comments or error reports using the feedback form.