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Chroma Shift
Bibliographical Reference:
"When a color is surrounded by another that is in its complementary hue, this color is strengthened in chro-ma, because the afterimage of the sur-rounding color is of the same hue as the surrounded color. The surrounded color thus becomes more radiant, tak-ing on an almost fluorescent glow. For maximum effect, there should be little value contrast; in other words, one color should be value adjusted to the other.

When two colors being related are within 90 degrees of each other on the color circle, simultaneous contrast can weaken the chroma. For example, orange surrounded by orange-yellow will be affected by the complementary hue of orange-yellow, which is purpleblue. The orange would turn slightly grayish, as the purple-blue cast has a neutralizing effect." (W. Wong, pg. 55).

Project's Description

In this assignment, you will observe the afterimage phenomenon. By following the instructions of this exercise, your eye will spontaneously produce a complementary colored ghost image of the color it has been focusing on. Follow the directions as outlined.

Supporting Tools

• Web site readings/handout.
  
• Bauhaus SoftCanvas¨ Software
  Alternative link to SoftCanvas
  (older browsers)
  Requires Macromedia shockwave plug-in.
  

Activity - Observing Chroma Shift

The basis for this activity is a gray background divided by a dark gray strip with a white rectangle on each side of the strip as shown in figure 1.

In the B@uhaus softCanvas recreate
figure 1. Use mid gray (N 6) for the background and low gray (N 2) for the strip and white (N 10) for the rectangles. See grid structure (Figure 2).

1. Choose a color sample. Replace the white rectangles with your selected color.

2. Find the complementary color of your selected color. You can find your complementary color in the RGB Color Wheel, or by trying to find theafterimage as demonstrated in activities before.

3. Finally, replace the background on the right with the complementary color. Notice how the chroma of your first selected color changes!

4. Try different colors until you find one that has a dramatic effect. Remember to make snap shots of your color studies.

5. Write Down the PN of your final work:

A.Sample Color
B. Complementary Background Color

Submission Checklist

Choose one of your best color studies to be submmited.

• File saved as "gif"
  
• File labeled as following:
  
  FirstNameLastInnitial-Chroma_Shift.gif
  Ex: PaulG_Chroma_Shift.gif