Basic ideas are given about light sources, optical media and reactions of photodetectors to radiation incident on them, about the theory of color vision, color synthesis, color space and colorimetric systems, as well as about measuring instruments and practical application of color. The second edition of the textbook, in contrast to the first (Shashlov A.B., Uarova R.M., Churkin A.V. "Basics of lighting engineering." M.: MGUP, 2002), corrected and revised in accordance with modern data on the use of light sources in printing, color measurement methods and color management system, which is necessary for the practical activities of the technologist.