Abstract

A description is given of an apparatus which has been used to investigate how the color sensation corresponding to a given stimulus changes as the state of adaptation of the eye is altered.

A limited series of results obtained with the apparatus reveals some very striking changes in color sensation as the adaptation is varied. Most colors appear much more saturated to the light-adapted eye than to the dark-adapted eye, and changes of hue also occur. The light-adapting radiations used were the I.C.I. standard illuminants, A and B, and their effects exhibited large differences.

A few adaptation and recovery curves plotted against time are given, and indicate that photo-chemical rather than electrical processes are controlling the adaptation effects.

The saturation effect is used to deduce a picture of retinal processes in the light- and dark-adapted states, and this is summarized in Table I and Fig. 11.

A practical demonstration of the increase in saturation on light-adaptation can be seen in Fig. 12.

© 1950 Optical Society of America

Light and Dark Adaptation and the Perception of Color*

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Influence on Color Perception of Adaptation to Illumination

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Predictions of Shifts in Color Appearance with a Change from Daylight to Tungsten Adaptation

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