From the artistic side of color theory, I know both red and blue are low value colors - value being light/dark.
I suspect this is simply because of their proximity to the edges of the visual spectrum. 73 de Eric, KG6MZS On Jun 17, 2009, at 12:34 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > Interesting experiment, Alan. I've not tried it but a little > research backs > you up! One source (University of Illinois Dept. of Physics) says " > The > blue-sensitive cones are the least numerous, and are also spread > out away > from the fovea. This is one reason why it is harder to get a sharp > visual > impression of something blue than something of other colors." > > I find the sort of white light I use for fine work (5800K color > temp) tiring > over time and I've read that the blue end of the spectrum offers > better > resolution due to the shorter wavelength. In any event 5800K lights > are > "bluish" but contain elements of the whole color spectrum just like > sunlight. > > For something other than "white light", you may be right that a > mixture of > blue and yellow light (green) actually works better. > > There's also possibility a psychological effect about "blueish" > light (e.g. > sunlight) that has nothing to do with the physiology of vision. We > humans > are conditioned to be alert when bathed in "sunlight". Specialists > in sleep > disorders often recommend shifting to redder and dimmer lights as > we move > toward bedtime. They claim it greatly increases our ability to > drift off to > sleep. > > I do know from personal experience that it's hard to see detail in red > light, having sat in many aircraft cockpits with the red night > vision lights > on straining to read a legend on a chart! Same is true for the > bridge of a > ship rigged for night. > > Whatever the underlying causes, I do find blue light jarring, while > redder > light is softer and more relaxing. > > I operate to relax. I was waiting for a hard-core contester or DX- > chaser to > say he/she wants to be wide awake and "on edge", that's why he > likes the > blue light. That would make good sense, but no one did - so far ;-) > > Never hesitate to challenge me. A forum like this isn't about > "being right". > It's about open discussion and learning. > > Tnx! > > Ron AC7AC > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net > [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of > g...@btinternet.com > Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 11:55 AM > To: Elecraft Mailman > Subject: [Elecraft] Blue Displays and Visual Acuity > > > Hi > > I'm really hesitant about challenging such an accepted authority as > AC7AC on > any topic. But I think he is incorrect when he says "blue light > provides > the greatest visual acuity." > > A simple experiment (which I have seen performed) can confirm > this. Project > a graded black and white resolution pattern in white light. Cover the > projection lens successively with red, green and blue colour- > separation > filters and see how many of the patterns the eye can resolve in > each case. > You will be amazed at how few can be counted through the blue > filter when > compared with the green or, to a lesser extent, the red. > > This characteristic of normal human vision is acknowledged in the > design of > RGB television systems where less bandwidth is allocated to the blue > signal. If it's acuity you are looking for, green is your colour, > not blue! > > 73 de Alan G4LWA > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
