1726 GLOW and FLICKER -Gautam Shah
Glow is a visual experience of brightness over objects, when surroundings have less light or darkness. Glow is also a phenomenon of heated bodies (incandescence), and objects coated with reflective (fluorescence), coatings. Deficient visibility in less light is a condition of dilution of irises in the pupil of eyes. Sudden transition from very bright area, may affect the visibility, for a while, in low illuminated areas.
Glows are useful as a feeble and distributed illumination, and also as a selective (local) presence of light over an object or its part. The former, alleviates the darkness, whereas, the later, highlights the entity. Spatial darkness can be removed with a glow. This is achieved through diffused or indirect illumination (reflected instead of direct), or lighter toned surfaces. Surface glows are feeble, and do not cause shadows or contrasts. Back-field glows reduce the harshness of the object and form soft edges.
Mild glows occur, due to distance, limited field of spread and strength of the source of illumination. Diffusion of illumination also occurs due to intervening making or vignettes.
Glows usually occur with some real or make-believe warmth. Glows from fire sources are accompanied by flicker. The sense of warmth and flicker are so closely associated that strobe lights (varying lights) are used for happy occasions for magical or dynamic experience. The surface textures, colours, position and movement of lamps for illumination were exploited by primitive cave painters for dynamic narrations.
Glow is very important aspect of scenic visualization. Local glows over select edges, planes or areas, form a dynamic imbalance and misplaced sense of direction.
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