Objective, Subjective, and Contextive

Our world is filled with a spectacular variety of colors that the majority of people take for granted. Before we even know what color is, we can see colors. Colors, in my opinion, can be defined either by their physical attributes or by our perceptions of them. Physically, a color is electromagnetic energy emitted when an electron in a certain energy level retrogresses to a lower energy level of an atom. This process gives off energy in quantified units, called photons. The wavelengths of the colors of the visible spectrum range from 390 to 750 nanometers. Colors with shorter wavelengths, like blues and purples, have more energy than reds, which have longer wavelengths. We can quantify a color objectively by using spectroscopy, the study of the relationship between matter and electromagnetic radiation. Spectroscopy allows people to see colors separated into a visible spectrum along a backdrop of the colors’ corresponding wavelengths. This procedure allows for complete objectivity when observing colors.

While it’s interesting to look scientifically at what defines color, looking at the ways that humans perceive color can also spark interest in some people. Have you ever had to debate with your friend over whether or not a particular shade of blue is teal or turquoise? You might even classify teal and turquoise as green instead of blue, as I just did. These arguments have gotten extremely heated among my friend groups, and it is interesting to learn why. No two humans see a single color exactly the same. Our perception of color starts with the eye. In our retinas are photoreceptors called rods and photoreceptors called cones. Cones are sensitive to three different colors, which results in trichromatic color vision in humans. These three colors are green, blue, and red. Every other color we see is either a combination or a shade or tint. Because each person has variations in rods and cones, color can be defined as a subjective interpretation of the electromagnetic spectrum instead of the spectrum and its wavelengths.

Color can also be defined culturally. In the United States, Americans get into arguments about teal and turquoise because we do not learn to distinguish between those colors when we are young. The Himba people, of northern Namibia have a greater sensitivity to different shades of green, and have adapted their spectrum to suit their environment. Historically, because blue is hard to find in nature, humans never could see the color. The sky is blue, but only because we learn it is. Before humans recognized blue as a color, the ocean was dark as wine and the sky was white or grey. How humans perceive color is directly correlated to our environments and history.

Color is a complicated topic to explore, because there is no singular definition. Color can be defined physically, biologically, and socially. I find it intriguing just how many variables go into a person’s particular definition of a single color. Understanding the different factors that contribute to such a complex topic will allow for further exploration and understanding in the future.

2 thoughts on “Objective, Subjective, and Contextive

  1. This is so cool!! I love that you took a more technical and analytical perspective to looking at colors, because I think it would be pretty easy for this blog to be way less informative than it is. I wouldn’t ever think of coming at this topic from such a scientific side but it’s so interesting to read about. I love hearing about the teal vs turquoise debate because that’s something I think we all experience at one time or another. I’m really excited to read more of your posts!

  2. Wow! The science you bring in to this blog is SO interesting. I too am possibly to fixated on the different shades of color and argue on a regular basis with my seemingly color-blind brother about certain shades. I love that you bring science and history into such a simple topic- it makes it very interesting to read. I’m looking forward to reading more and learning about colors with you!

    On a side note, my favorite color is blue and the history behind blue was something I had never learned about- COOL!

Leave a Reply