Colour Appearance Shifts in Two Different-Sized Viewing Conditions

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of size on colour appearance, using a colour matching paradigm where two sizes were presented in a setting similar to a normal colour selection interface. Twelve colours sampling the entire range of the colour spectrum were chosen as target stimuli. The target stimuli consisted of either a large (30 degrees by 50 degrees) or a small (0.5 degrees by 0.5 degrees) test field displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT). In the experiment, a set of small colour samples consisting of the target and its neighboring colours was presented on the screen. Fifty-seven participants were asked to pick a colour from the sample set that appeared to exactly match the target. Results in CIECAM02 showed a consistent increase in the apparent brightness (Q) but some decrease in saturation (s) for the larger field. Hue shifts were observed to form a systematic pattern. We noticed a discernable trend showing that, for targets of bluish or purplish colour hues, the accuracy of colour matching is lower and colour difference is greater in the condition of the large viewing field. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 35, 352-360, 2010; Published online 17 June 2010 in Wiley Inter Science (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOT 10.1002/col.20580