ordinary subject with great light can make a great photograph. But I like the part about "radiant energy." Although I'm sure Webster's didn't mean it this way, I think the radiant energy comes mostly from the photographer, or from the interaction between the photographer and his or her subject.

The photographs on this web site encompass two distinct bodies of work, each using very different kinds of light. One group of images was made during the day, using all the wonderful forms and textures of sunlight. The other group was made at night, combining electronic flash and flashlights (often covered with colored filters) with the dim light of the moon and stars. Although the subject matter is similar, the look and feel of the images is very different. I try to use my main tool-light-to create a mood, whether the mood is lyrical, playful, or mysterious. " ~Michael Frye

Michael Frye is a professional photographer who specializes in creating innovative and artistic images of wildlife and wilderness. He has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and is the author of The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite. His photographs have been published in over thirty countries around the world; magazine credits include National Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, American Photo, Sunset, and Texas Highways. Michael lives with his wife Claudia and son Kevin in Yosemite National Park, where he has made his home since 1983.