Color Investigation

COLOR INVESTIGATION

With the general understanding of color, we were told to do a research and then show evidence to support the results that we had looked for from a research that was made already.

"Light and color can influence how people perceive the area around them. Different light sources affect how the colors of walls and other objects are seen. Specific hues of colors seen under natural sunlight may vary when seen under the light from an incandescent (tungsten) light-bulb: lighter colors may appear to be more orange or "brownish" and darker colors may appear even darker. Light and the color of an object can affect how one perceives its positioning. If light or shadow, or the color of the object, masks an object's true contour (outline of a figure) it can appear to be shaped differently from reality. Objects under a uniform light-source will promote better impression of three-dimensional shape. The color of an object may affect whether or not it seems to be in motion. In particular, the trajectories of objects under a light source whose intensity varies with space are more difficult to determine than identical objects under a uniform light source. This could possibly be interpreted as interference between motion and color perception, both of which are more difficult under variable lighting. "

      By Carl Jung, color psychology

• Light and color can influence how people perceive the area around them. Different light sources affect how the colors of walls and other objects are seen.

"The color you see for an object depends on the mix of light frequencies that reach your eye. That mix, in turn, depends on two things: the frequencies that the object absorbs, and the frequencies in the original light source. The figure on this page shows how this works with reflected light. If a surface doesn’t absorb any colors, then all the colors are reflected, and you see white. If it absorbs all red and only red, then it reflects green and blue, so you see cyan, and so on."

• Specific hues of colors seen under natural sunlight may vary when seen under the light from an incandescent (tungsten) light-bulb: lighter colors may appear to be more orange or "brownish" and darker colors may appear even darker.

If you start with a typical fluorescent bulb, on the other hand, there’s much a much higher percentage of blue available to bounce off the object, and the additional blue brings out the so-called cooler colors in objects where the light bounces.
These differences in the light sources explain the common observation that incandescent light is more flattering to people than fluorescent light. Bringing out blue and other cool colors in a human face gives it an unhealthy-looking pallor. Bringing out the warm colors makes the face look healthy, if not radiant. Much the same comment applies to produce, which is why grocery stores avoid standard fluorescent bulbs near fruits and vegetables.

More generally, differences in light sources explain why colors change when you change the light source. Things actually have a different color under daylight than under incandescent light, and a different color still under fluorescent light. In fact, things will have different colors in daylight at different times of day. And objects that match in color under some lighting conditions won’t match under others, a phenomenon known as metamerism.

• Light and the color of an object can affect how one perceives its positioning. If light or shadow, or the color of the object, masks an object's true contour (outline of a figure) it can appear to be shaped differently from reality. 

Light is required for the eye to be able to see colors, shapes and objects. Artists and photographers use light not only to illuminate their subjects but to create shadows, add drama, enhance color and give their work depth and dimension. Lighting is one of the most important tools in a photographer's arsenal.
Highlights and shadows are the light and dark areas light creates on an object or subject. Too much light and the object will look too bright, blown out. Too little light; and the shadows take over, making the object hard to see. It is important to keep lighting properly balanced, casting the right amount of shadow and highlight on the subject.

• Objects under a uniform light-source will promote better impression of three-dimensional shape. The color of an object may affect whether or not it seems to be in motion. In particular, the trajectories of objects under a light source whose intensity varies with space are more difficult to determine than identical objects under a uniform light source. This could possibly be interpreted as interference between motion and color perception, both of which are more difficult under variable lighting. 

"The color you see for an object depends on the mix of light frequencies that reach your eye. That mix, in turn, depends on two things: the frequencies that the object absorbs, and the frequencies in the original light source. If a surface doesn’t absorb any colors, then all the colors are reflected, and you see white. If it absorbs all red and only red, then it reflects green and blue, so you see cyan, and so on."

"If you start with a typical fluorescent bulb, on the other hand, there’s much a much higher percentage of blue available to bounce off the object, and the additional blue brings out the so-called cooler colors in objects where the light bounces.

These differences in the light sources explain the common observation that incandescent light is more flattering to people than fluorescent light. Bringing out blue and other cool colors in a human face gives it an unhealthy-looking pallor. Bringing out the warm colors makes the face look healthy, if not radiant. Much the same comment applies to produce, which is why grocery stores avoid standard fluorescent bulbs near fruits and vegetables."

"More generally, differences in light sources explain why colors change when you change the light source. Things actually have a different color under daylight than under incandescent light, and a different color still under fluorescent light. In fact, things will have different colors in daylight at different times of day. And objects that match in color under some lighting conditions won’t match under others, a phenomenon known as metamerism."

• Incandescent bulbs: These generate yellow light that intensifies warm colors but tends to dull cooler colors.
• Halogen bulbs: These newer incandescent bulbs produce brighter, white light that is more like sunlight.
• Fluorescent bulbs: These generate cool, blue light that amplifies blues and greens, but mutes warmer colors.
• "Soft white" fluorescent bulbs: These mimic the warmth of incandescent bulbs, but all colors can appear faded in their light.
• Full-spectrum fluorescents: Although expensive, these bulbs produce light that most closely resembles natural sunlight.

REFERENCES

Chapman, C. (2010). Color Theory for Designers, Part 1: The Meaning of Color - Smashing Magazine. [online] Smashing Magazine. Available at: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/01/28/color-theory-for-designers-part-1-the-meaning-of-color/ [Accessed 22 Jun. 2014].

Colormatters.com, (2014). Basic Color Theory. [online] Available at: http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory [Accessed 22 Jun. 2014].

ExtremeTech, (2014). Lighting Affects Color | ExtremeTech. [online] Available at: http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/49030-lighting-affects-color [Accessed 22 Jun. 2014].

Sherwin-williams.com, (2014). The Play of Light and Color - Sherwin-Williams. [online] Available at: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/home-builders/services/paint-technology-and-application/sw-article-pro-theplayoflight.html [Accessed 22 Jun. 2014].