Do you see a yellow circle in the image below? Most people see 3 circles – one blue, one red, and one yellow.
The only problem is that there is no yellow in the image below. Don’t believe it? Scroll down to the end of this article to see for yourself.
This cool design by Akiyoshi Kitaoka uses a well know optical phenomena known as the Bezold effect to create the illusion. If you want to read more about the Bezold effect, scroll down to learn more.
Table of Contents
- What is the Bezold Effect?
- How does the Bezold Effect work?
- Some Similar Illusions
- Discovery of the Bezold Effect
- References and Resources
What is the Bezold Effect – Do You See Yellow?
The Do You See Yellow Illusion is caused by the the Bezold effect. It’s also known as the von Bezold spreading effect, is a phenomenon in visual perception where a change in color intensity or hue can affect the perception of neighboring colors. Specifically, the Bezold effect describes the way in which a color may appear differently depending on its context or surroundings.
The effect was named after Wilhelm von Bezold, a German scientist who first described it in the late 19th century. He observed that changing the intensity or saturation of a color could cause adjacent colors to appear brighter or duller, and that changing the hue of a color could cause surrounding colors to take on a different tint.
For example, the Bezold effect can be seen in a gradient of blue-green colors. If the intensity of the blue-green color at one end of the gradient is decreased, the adjacent colors may appear more green, while if the intensity is increased, the adjacent colors may appear more blue. Similarly, if the hue of the blue-green color is changed towards blue, the surrounding colors may appear more green, and if it is changed towards green, the surrounding colors may appear more blue.
The Bezold effect has practical applications in fields such as graphic design and color theory, where an understanding of how colors interact can help create effective color schemes.
How does the Bezold Effect Work – Do You See Yellow?
The Bezold effect is believed to be caused by the way that color information is processed by the visual system. When we perceive a color, our brain takes into account not only the properties of the color itself but also the context in which it appears.
One theory is that the Bezold effect is related to the way that colors are perceived in the retina. The retina contains cells called cones that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, which correspond to different colors. These cones send signals to the brain that are interpreted as color.
However, the processing of color information in the retina is complex, and neighboring cones can interact with each other in a phenomenon known as lateral inhibition. This means that when one cone is activated, it can suppress the activity of adjacent cones, which can affect the perception of color in the surrounding area.
Another theory is that the Bezold effect is related to the way that color information is processed in higher visual areas of the brain. These areas receive input from the retina and combine information from multiple cones to create a perception of color. However, this processing is influenced by factors such as attention, expectation, and memory, which can affect the perception of color in the context of a particular scene.
Overall, the precise mechanisms underlying the Bezold effect are not fully understood, but it is clear that the effect is a result of the complex processing of color information in the visual system.
Some Similar Illusions – Do You See Yellow?
There are several illusions that are similar to the Do You See Yellow Illusion in that they involve changes in the perception of color based on the context in which it appears. Here are some examples:
White’s illusion: This illusion involves two gray squares of the same luminance, but with different surrounding patterns. The square surrounded by black appears lighter than the square surrounded by white.
Simultaneous contrast illusion: This illusion involves two adjacent patches of color that are the same color but appear different due to their surrounding colors. For example, a gray square can appear darker or lighter depending on whether it is surrounded by black or white.
Color assimilation illusion: This illusion involves a target color that appears to blend with the color of its surrounding context. For example, a yellow square can appear to take on a greenish tint if it is surrounded by green.
Chromatic adaptation illusion: This illusion involves a change in the perception of color due to prolonged exposure to a particular color. For example, if you stare at a red object for a period of time and then look at a white surface, the white surface may appear to have a greenish tint.
These illusions all demonstrate the way in which the perception of color is influenced by the context in which it appears, and they highlight the complex processing of color information in the visual system.
Discovery of the Bezold Effect
The Bezold effect was named after Wilhelm von Bezold, a German physicist and meteorologist who first described the phenomenon in the late 19th century. Von Bezold is also known for his work on color theory, particularly his research on the color harmony of complementary colors. He published several influential books on color theory, including “The Theory of Color in its Relation to Art and Art-Industry” (1874), which became a standard reference for artists and designers. Von Bezold’s contributions to the field of color theory have had a lasting impact on our understanding of the perception of color and the use of color in art and design.
Do You See Yellow Illusion – Zooming In
The following images show what happens when you zoom in on the Do You See Yellow Illusion.
References and Resources
Check out our complete list of illusions.