what is required to see color?

1. source of light (aka illuminant)
2. colored object
3. detector (human eye)
   1. will detect reflected or transmitted light

illuminants/sources of white light

• natural + artificial
• natural: daylight (source; sun)
  • composition of light varies based on different factors
    • geographical location, weather conditions, time of day, season
• artificial: tungsten lamps, fluorescent lights, and light emitted diodes (LEDs)
  • composition of light varies depending on light source
    • more yellow or blue

specific examples of illuminants/light sources

• daylight
  • north skylight
  • noon sunlight
  • horizon skylight
• artificial sources

  • tungsten filament (CIE Source A)

  • simulated daylight (CIE Source D65)

  • cool white fluorescent (CIE Source F2)

    

color inconstancy:

• phenomenon when the perceived color of an object varies upon changing light sources
  • article of clothing appears to change colors when viewed under incandescent and flourescent lighting

metamerism:

• phenomenon where colored objects have different perceived colors under different light sources
  • two articles of clothing that appear to have same color under incandescent light may appear to be different colors in daylight