Open AccessQuantifying color variation: Improved formulas for calculating hue with segment classification
Author(s) -
Smith Stacey D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
applications in plant sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 23
ISSN - 2168-0450
DOI - 10.3732/apps.1300088
Subject(s) - hue , brightness , color space , variation (astronomy) , mathematics , artificial intelligence , variable (mathematics) , spectral color , lightness , reflectivity , color model , pattern recognition (psychology) , biology , computer science , optics , astrophysics , image (mathematics) , mathematical analysis , physics
• Premise of the study: Differences in color form a major component of biological variation, and quantifying these differences is the first step to understanding their evolutionary and ecological importance. One common method for measuring color variation is segment classification, which uses three variables (chroma, hue, and brightness) to describe the height and shape of reflectance curves. This study provides new formulas for calculating hue (the variable that describes the “type” of color) to give correct values in all regions of color space. • Methods and Results: Reflectance spectra were obtained from the literature, and chroma, hue, and brightness were computed for each spectrum using the original formulas as well as the new formulas. Only the new formulas result in correct values in the blue‐green portion of color space. • Conclusions: Use of the new formulas for calculating hue will result in more accurate color quantification for a broad range of biological applications.