Object colour
An object colour is a colour perceived as belonging to an object, as opposed to a colour perceived as belonging, for example, to the light falling on an object (called an “illumination colour”).
The object colour perceived as belonging to a light-reflecting object remains relatively constant under comparatively large variations in lighting intensity, but nevertheless does vary with viewing conditions (including the background) and the observer.
Example: The banana in the photograph below is perceived as being bright yellow throughout, despite the light it reflects to the eye varying greatly due to varying illumination.
A digital photograph of a banana (left) evokes superimposed perceptions of object colours (middle) and illumination colours (right). Images courtesy of Paul Green-Armytage (left) & David Briggs.
FIND OUT MORE:
Expanded discussion available in the video "Colours of Objects and Colours of Light" by David Briggs.
