In the field of optics and computer graphics, surfaces exhibiting ideal diffuse reflection are described as Lambertian. These surfaces appear equally bright from all viewing angles because they scatter incident light uniformly in all directions. A classic example is a sheet of matte paper: regardless of the observer’s position, its perceived brightness remains consistent.
This uniform scattering behavior simplifies calculations related to light transport and rendering, making the Lambertian model a cornerstone in various applications. Its computational efficiency and realistic approximation of numerous real-world materials have led to its widespread adoption in areas like 3D modeling, animation, and image analysis. Understanding this foundational concept is critical for accurate light simulation and realistic image generation.
