Time course of chromatic adaptation under dynamic lighting

Abstract

Chromatic adaptation is an extensively studied concept. However, less is known about the time course of chromatic adaptation under gradually-changing lighting. Two experiments were carried out to quantify the time course of chromatic adaptation under dynamic lighting. In the first experiment, a step change in lighting chromaticity was used. The time course of adaptation was well described by the Rinner and Gegenfurtner slow adaptation exponential model [Vision Research, 40(14), 2000], and the adaptation state after saturation differed between observers. In the second experiment, chromatic adaptation was measured in response to two different speeds of lighting chromaticity transitions. An adjusted exponential model was able to fit the observed time course of adaptation for both lighting transition speeds.

Time course chromatic adaptation under highly saturated illuminants

“…They found that the slow phase had a half-life of about 20s and adaptation had reached steady state within 2 minutes. Spieringhs et al [5] confirmed Rinner's conclusions. Their experimental results of time course chromatic adaptation could be fitted using Rinner's slow adaptation exponential model [3].…”

Experimental methods to investigate time-course of chromatic adaptation

“…Rinner and Gegenfurtner [4] also used the adjustment method to obtain an achromatic appearance. Later, Spieringhs et al [5] used two methods, the method of adjustment and the method of constant stimuli. They reported that the difference in time constant would be influenced by the psychophysical methods.…”

Temporal dynamics of daylight perception: Detection thresholds

“…The time course of chromatic adaptation is also typically measured as the time for color appearance to stabilize after an abrupt change, rather than the phase lag in following smooth changes. A recent study (Spieringhs, Murdoch, & Vogels, 2019) directly compared adaptation progression following abrupt versus smooth changes, and found distinct time constants for the two. After abrupt changes, although most compensation occurs within the first minute of illumination swap (Fairchild & Lennie, 1992;Fairchild & Reniff, 1995) it might take up to 5 minutes to reach full stabilization of color appearance (Gupta et al, 2020;Hunt, 1950;Jameson, Hurvich, & Varner, 1979).…”