The study of chromatic adaptation in complex viewing conditions

The human visual system has the ability to adapt to the color and intensity of the illumination to ensure object colors remain fairly stable under changing lighting conditions. Although several models, called chromatic adaptation transforms (CAT), exist that attempt to predict the color shift caused by a change in illumination conditions, the models are typically only applicable to simple visual fields - a flat uniform central stimulus surrounded by a flat uniform background and similar surround - lit by (quasi-)neutral illumination. However, it is known from color constancy studies that object and scene realism and complexity play an important role in determining the degree of adaptation and hence object color appearance. In addition, it is also known that light source chromaticity has an impact on the degree of adaptation. However, neither scene complexity, nor light source chromaticity is taken into account by most commonly used CAT models. Neither is it well known how to take adaption to multiple light sources, commonly encountered in real-life situations (e.g. daylight and electric lighting) into account. the project's aim is to increase the understanding and modelling capabilities of chromatic adaptation in more complex viewing conditions –multiple colored illumination sources and spatially complex backgrounds–that can currently be dealt with by existing CATs.