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Official word from an actual scientist.

Question - Is it true that black is an absence of color
(technically NOT a color)
and white is a combination of all colors?
(Your answer will help my debate with my wife....)
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Our eyes react to different shades of light, and what we determine as colors
are different wavelengths of light. When we say an object is a certain
color, it is because it is reflecting more of a certain wavelength light.
For example red objects reflect "red" light, or light with a longer
wavelength (lower frequency) better than other types of light.

So, we determine the color by the primary type of light the object reflects
(or emits if it is a light).

We also perceive other properties of colors, and that is lightness or
darkness. A light colored object may reflect one color especially well, but
also reflect other colors as well. A very light green object, for example,
reflects green very well, but also reflects most other colors, just not as
well.

Dark objects tend not to reflect light very well at all, even if it reflects
one color better than the other.

White objects, tend to reflect all types of light equally well, and tend to
reflect most of the light cast on it.

Black objects also, tend to reflect all types of light equally, they just
dont reflect much of the light cast on them.

In computer graphics, we use combinations of just three lights to produce
the colors on a screen, red, green, and blue. We also use different systems
for calculating colors. One of those is hue, saturation, and lightness.
This system is more accurate in describing how we perceive colors. The hue
is what we call color--red, brown, white, etc. The saturation is how much
of the other colors is present, and the lightness is how bright the color
is.

The interesting thing about this system is, white and black have the same
hue and saturation, the lightness is all that is different.

Anyway, what all this boils down to, is the answer to your question simply
depends on how you look at the problem.

On one level, you are right. Black doesn't reflect light, and white
reflects all colors. On the other hand, if you are talking to someone like
me who deals with generating colors on a computer screen, black and white
are exactly the same color, one is just brighter than the other.

I hope this helps your discussion.

Eric Tolman
Computer Scientist

 

Here is another one.


1. Black is the absence of color (and is therefore not a color) [blockquote] Explanation:
When there is no light, everything is black. Test this out by going into a photographic dark room. There are no photons of light. In other words, there are no photons of colors. [/blockquote] 2. White is the blending of all colors and is a color. Explanation:
Light appears colorless or white. Sunlight is white light that is composed of all the colors of the spectrum. A rainbow is proof. You can't see the colors of sunlight except when atmospheric conditions bend the light rays and create a rainbow. You can also use a prism to demonstrate this. Fact: The sum of all the colors of light add up to white.
This is additive color theory.
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It's good to know we have such knowledgeable people on this forum, I stand corrected. Thank you for the explanation Eric

 

Glacier Pear White, framed with black and CHROME, Classy and Old school.

 

I guess I have to go with silver.

 

Everybody and their freakin' brother (and father) has a black Harley. I've had 2!

Todays best color is: Pewter Denim. With some Black of course!

Why? Not everybody and their freakin' brother has it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hey! DOn't confuse me with someone who is smart. I just use Google alot.

 

Black Cherry - Can't beat it!!

 

my 07 UCis Jake and Elwood Blue and it is a real head turner!!!