In the pre-digital era, photographers and magazine editors
the world over used a light table (or a portable version, a
light box) to look at slides. Most color pictures in books and
magazines started out as slides; and even now far more slides are viewed
on light tables than are ever projected. A light table is a rather
simple device: a pane of frosted glass with fluorescent lights behind
it. Put a slide on it (or often a whole clear plastic “page” of slides)
and the colors of the pictures shine through in all their brilliance,
better than you’d ever see in a print.
This Web site is my light table. On it you can view some of the
travel,
scenic,
and “fine art” pictures I’ve taken.
Since my light table is virtual (computer jargon for something
simulated in software), the background is black instead of the normal
glaring white. That’s much easier on the eyes!
Using a real light table usually means squinting at slides through a
magnifier. My virtual light table has a virtual magnifier, but you don’t
need to squint. Just click on any small “slide” and you’ll see a page
with a larger version of the picture. The “magnified” page will tell you
the picture’s title and the year I took it, along with any explanation
that might be appropriate. Try it with the “slides” on this page. Click
the blue BACK button at the bottom of each page (or use your browser’s
BACK button) to return here.
Larger version of picture |
On pages that are menus (such as the Virtual Light Table home page or the Photo Travel Essay page), the pictures are samples that link to another page or section. But you can use the “magnifier” by clicking on the Larger version of picture link underneath or next to the picture.
I’m frequently adding new pages and pictures to my virtual light
table. So please come back and visit often to see
what’s new!
| Virtual Light Table Home |