Observation conditions
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Observation conditions
The observation of a coloured object depends on the observation conditions, which themselves depend on the light source (illuminant) and the observer.
The CIE (International Commission on Illumination) has defined 3 principal standard illuminants: • Illuminant D65, which reproduces average daylight • Illuminant A, representative of incandescent sources • Illuminant F11, which reproduces neon lighting Did you know?
The actual colour perceived is very dependent on the illuminant. The term metamerism is used when two colours, identical underneath a given illuminant, appear different under another illuminant. The CIE has also defined 2 standardised observers representing the average human observer with normal vision:
• The 2° observer, corresponding to the vision of an object of small size. • The 10° observer, corresponding to the analysis of an object in normal vision. |
