I think the raw materials is sunlight,water, and dirt.
Side lighting contrasts between deep shadows and hard light, or bright intense light to produce striking images, while backlighting places the subject in a hazy silhouette with long, dramatic shadows
Jesuits (Society of Jesus)
In China, Jesuits sought to convert, focusing on the intellectual and political elite. Enhanced status by introducing latest science and tech. from Europe, and allowing Chinese to continue ancestor worship.