Chromalens: Redefining Colour Perception

Lucio Cavallari, September 2023

One proposed concept in the realm of light design involves the development of specialised spectacles engineered to enable real-time perception of black and white imagery. This innovation capitalises on the three stages of perception, as elucidated by William Lam1 , in the context of visual perception.

The attributive perception involves the use of memory or past experiences to interpret current stimuli. Perceiving the environment in black and white simplifies visual information to brightness and darkness serving as a powerful tool in overcoming the influence of preconceived expectations tied to colour – related biases. This approach simplifies visual scenes, minimising the impact of colour complexities and providing a neutral canvas for assessing lighting parameters such as intensity, contrast, and shadow dynamics. Additionally, black and white imagery enhances the affective stage of perception, enabling a deeper exploration of emotional and atmospheric dimensions within lighting compositions.

Intriguingly, recent research2 has prompted a closer examination of the neural mechanisms underlying colour and brightness perception. Spectrally opponent L vs. M midget retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the retina have come under scrutiny. These cells, traditionally associated with colour perception, are now being explored for their potential role in black-and-white sensation. The intricate interplay between these neurons and their response to various wavelengths of light has prompted researchers to question their suitability for mediating colour perception. This ongoing investigation adds depth to our understanding of how black and white imagery can serve as a valuable tool for lighting assessment, particularly in the context of the intricate interplay between light, textures and materials. Diverse potential avenues exist for realising the concept of spectacles facilitating real-time black and white perception, which can be broadly categorised into the following approaches:

  1. Digital Image Transmission: One viable approach is the integration of digital technology into the design of these spectacles. In this scenario, the spectacles would employ cameras to capture the surrounding environment and subsequently process the visual data in real-time to render black and white imagery for the wearer. Such a system could provide precise control over colour-to-black-and-white conversion, allowing for the elimination of colour information while retaining essential luminance and contrast data.
  2. Non-Linear Optics: Another potential avenue involves the utilisation of non-linear optics to manipulate the spectral composition of incoming light. This approach might entail efficient transformations of red, a portion of green, and blue wavelengths to yield a grayscale image. However, achieving such transformations efficiently may pose a technical challenge. Alternatively, it may be feasible to transform red into blue wavelengths, albeit with potential limitations in terms of energy efficiency3.
  3. Obscuration Techniques: An alternative strategy could involve the obscuration of specific wavelengths of light, effectively allowing only a limited portion of the visual spectrum to reach the wearer’s eyes. This method could be achieved by employing filters or materials that selectively block or transmit particular wavelengths. For instance, obscuring most wavelengths of light could restrict vision primarily to the spectral range perceivable by the rod cells in the retina, facilitating black and white vision in low-light conditions4.

Each of these approaches carries distinct advantages and limitations in terms of technical feasibility, efficiency, and practicality. The choice of a specific method would necessitate a comprehensive consideration of factors such as optical performance, power consumption, user comfort, and cost effectiveness. Additionally, research and development efforts in materials science, optics, and image processing would play a pivotal role in realising the potential of such innovative spectacles designed to enable real-time black and white vision.

Non-linear optics to manipulate the spectral composition of incoming light
Source: Primary
  1. W.M. Lam, Perception and Lighting as Formgivers for Architecture; Van Nostrand Reinhold: New York, NY, USA, 1992, 32-56. ↩︎
  2. Dragos Rezeanu, et al. “How We See Black and White: The Role of Midget Ganglion Cells.” Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, vol. 16, no. 1662-5129, 5 July 2022, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2022.944762. Accessed 5 Oct. 2023 ↩︎
  3. Solution envisioned by Vincenzo Grillo, Head of the Electron Microscopy Group and Research Director at CNR ↩︎
  4. Solution envisioned by Vincenzo Grillo, Head of the Electron Microscopy Group and Research Director at CNR ↩︎