Lambertian Reflectance

Lambertian reflectance describes how a surface appears equally bright from all viewing angles when illuminated evenly, like a matte paint or chalk. This occurs because the surface diffusely reflects light in many directions, not just in a specific way. The brightness depends on the angle between the light source and the surface—more direct light makes it appear brighter, while grazing angles seem dimmer. This property helps in computer graphics and imaging to realistically simulate how light interacts with matte surfaces, providing consistent appearance regardless of the observer's position.