Colors that we could normally see

  • Context: Medical 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perception of colors by humans, including the range of colors and shades visible to the human eye, factors influencing color perception, and the potential for variations in color vision among individuals. Participants explore both theoretical and practical aspects of color perception.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that humans can perceive light within a specific wavelength range, approximately 400 nm to 700 nm, associating colors with these wavelengths.
  • There is a request for a comprehensive list of colors and shades associated with specific wavelengths, preferably illustrated.
  • One participant mentions that while the wavelengths of light are finite, the ability to distinguish between colors may limit the number of perceivable colors, estimating that humans can see around a million colors.
  • Another participant speculates on the differences in color perception between men and women, referencing studies that suggest women may perceive a broader spectrum of colors due to genetic variations.
  • Some participants express curiosity about the possibility of imagining colors that do not exist and discuss the neural basis of color perception and imagination.
  • There is a discussion about the limitations of screens compared to the human eye in displaying colors, with one participant suggesting that the eye has a much higher definition than typical screens.
  • Several participants engage in clarifying terms and acronyms, such as "IIRC," and express interest in the implications of color perception in various contexts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the exact number of colors perceivable by humans, the implications of gender differences in color perception, or the feasibility of imagining new colors. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on individual differences in color perception, the variability in the ability to distinguish colors, and the lack of a definitive list of colors and shades that can be perceived.

  • #61
I felt I had better correct my mistake.

Thanks to this thread my understanding of pigment colour theory has undergone a much needed (though still learning) overhaul -

that the artist's traditional colour wheel has been considered incorrect since 2004, and a new (though considered fallacious) theory replaces the pigment primaries of red, yellow and blue, with subtractive 'primaries' yellow, cyan and magenta - http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/color5.html ;

or another view that involves primary pigments of red, yellow, blue and green - http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/color/.

Thanks for making this thread, as it (finally) helped me question some things I had taken for granted.
 

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