Editing Phong shading (section)

== Phong reflection model ==
{{main|Phong reflection model}}

''Phong shading'' may also refer to the specific combination of Phong interpolation and the [[Phong reflection model]], which is an empirical model of local illumination. It describes the way a surface reflects light as a combination of the [[diffuse reflection]] of rough surfaces with the [[specular reflection]] of shiny surfaces. It is based on [[Bui Tuong Phong]]'s informal observation that shiny surfaces have small intense [[specular highlight]]s, while dull surfaces have large highlights that fall off more gradually. The reflection model also includes an ''ambient'' term to account for the small amount of light that is scattered about the entire scene.

[[Image:Phong components version 4.png|655px|center|thumb|Visual illustration of the Phong equation: here the light is white, the ambient and diffuse colors are both blue, and the specular color is white, reflecting a small part of the light hitting the surface, but only in very narrow highlights. The intensity of the diffuse component varies with the direction of the surface, and the ambient component is uniform (independent of direction).]]