Phong is a shading model used in computer graphics to simulate the way light interacts with surfaces. It calculates the color of a pixel based on the light's position, the viewer's perspective, and the surface's material properties. This model helps create realistic images by mimicking how shiny or matte a surface appears under different lighting conditions. The Phong reflection model consists of three components: ambient, diffuse, and specular reflection. Ambient light provides a base level of illumination, diffuse reflection simulates light scattering off rough surfaces, and specular reflection creates highlights on shiny surfaces. Together, these components enhance the visual realism of 3D objects in digital environments.