Black is a color that sparks debate. Some argue that black is a shade, not a true color. Others insist black is very much its own distinct color. So which is it – is black a shade or a color?
The answer lies in the science of how we see color. By understanding the physics and biology behind black, we can determine whether it qualifies as a shade or a true color.
How We See Color
To understand black’s color status, we must first cover some color theory basics. The colors we see are a result of how light interacts with objects. When light shines on an object, some wavelengths are absorbed while others are reflected. Our eyes detect these reflected wavelengths as color.
For example, a banana appears yellow because it absorbs all wavelengths except yellow. When white light containing all visible wavelengths hits a banana, only the yellow wavelengths bounce off. Our eyes pick up these yellow waves and our brain interprets this as “yellow”.
The Nature of Black
Black, on the other hand, absorbs all visible wavelengths. When light strikes a black object, very little reflects back to our eyes. With no wavelengths coming back to our retinas, our visual system interprets this as black.
This tells us black is technically the absence of light. Some argue this means black is not a “real” color since no wavelengths are being reflected. But just because black absorbs rather than reflects light does not disqualify it as a color.
Black Body Radiation
Black body radiation provides further clues about the nature of black. A black body refers to an object that absorbs all radiation that strikes it. Such an object would appear perfectly black if we looked at it.
When a black body is heated, it begins to emit its own radiation. The wavelengths of this emission correspond to different colors based on the black body’s temperature. So a heated black object may appear deep red or orange even though it absorbs all light.
This tells us black has a relationship with color. The fact black bodies exhibit color through radiation indicates black is a participator in the color spectrum, not just an abstainer.
The Visible Spectrum
Our visible color spectrum provides more evidence that black is indeed a color. The visible spectrum consists of all wavelengths our eyes can detect. The visible spectrum forms an unbroken continuum of color ranging from dark reds to violet.
Within this continuum, black sits at one extreme end. It anchors one side of the visible spectrum, just as white anchors the other end. We cannot remove black from this continuum without collapsing the entire color spectrum. So black is very much integrated into our visual experience of color.
| Color | Wavelength (nm) |
|---|---|
| Red | 700-635 |
| Orange | 635-590 |
| Yellow | 590-560 |
| Green | 560-490 |
| Blue | 490-450 |
| Violet | 450-400 |
| Black | No wavelengths reflected |
The Psychology of Black
Psychological research on color perception provides more clues about black’s status. Studies show people lump white, black, gray, and brown into the “achromatic” color category. But they do still categorize black as a color, even though it lacks hue.
Interestingly, people tend to associate black with “colorfulness” in certain contexts. For example, a black dress standing out against a white backdrop will be described as having more “colorfulness” than the same dress on a black backdrop.
This shows black is woven into our psychological experience of color. Our visual system groups black in with other colors and sees it as colorfully vivid in many situations.
Pigment vs. Light
Much debate over black’s color status stems from the difference between pigment and light. Pigments subtract wavelengths through absorption. Light directly produces wavelengths through emission.
Many argue black is a color when dealing with pigments but not with light. Charcoal black is a pigment color because it absorbs all reflectance. But the total absorption of light produces an absence of color.
However, there is no reason this distinction should disqualify black as a color. Pigment colors and colors of light add to our total visual experience of color. Black participates in both domains and thus is rightly categorized as a real color.
Black Dyes and Pigments
Looking at specific examples of black pigments provides further support for black being a color. Several pigments used in dyes, inks, and paints get their black color from complex molecular structures that absorb most visible light. These include:
| Pigment | Composition |
|---|---|
| Carbon black | Nearly pure elemental carbon |
| Ivory black | Mix of charred bone, ivory, or animal cartilage |
| Lamp black | Soot from vegetable oils and resins |
The atomic makeup of these pigments selectively absorbs wavelengths to give an intense black color. They showcase that black is a legitimate color even in pigment form.
Black in Nature
Black colors the natural world as well. Many animals display true black colors through various pigments and structural colors:
| Animal | Black Color Source |
|---|---|
| Crows, ravens | Melanin pigment |
| Black panthers | Surplus melanin pigment |
| Black mamba snake | Iridophore structural color |
| Butterfly wings | Melanin and optical structural colors |
Nature provides many examples of black functioning as a true color. Black helps various organisms with camouflage, communication, and display through pigments and light-absorbing structures.
Color Properties of Black
Black demonstrates properties typical of other colors. For example, black:
– Has visual dominancy – areas appear blacker when surrounded by lighter colors
– Blends to make new colors – mixed with other colors, black darkens and desaturates them
– Has different hues and shades – jet black, charcoal black, matte black, etc.
– Can be lightened through tinting – mixing with white adds greys and fades blackness
No other shade exhibits these essential color properties. The fact black functions just like other colors affirms its categorization as a real color.
Black and Culture
Black’s status as a color comes through in cultural contexts as well. Linguistically, “black” gets grouped in with other color terms in natural language. Calling black a shade and not a color goes against standard lexical patterns.
Black is also attached to various cultural meanings and aesthetics. It symbolizes elegance and sophistication in the fashion world. Black formalwear has a refined status in many cultures. The cultural significance given to black across societies demonstrates its standing as a true color.
Color Perception Science
Modern color science supports black’s status as a color as well. The CIE 1931 color space maps out precise locations for different colors based on hue, saturation, and brightness. Black sits at the zero point for both saturation and brightness. This gives black a defined location within the broader color framework.
More advanced models like CIE L*a*b* and CIE L*u*v* also carve out a specific point for black even though it lacks hue and brightness. This further demonstrates that black is not simply an absence of color but rather a color unto itself.
Conclusion
While black is certainly unique among colors, the evidence strongly supports classifying it as a true color:
– Black anchors one end of the visible color spectrum
– Black participates in color mixing and shading like other colors
– As a pigment, black selectively absorbs wavelengths to produce a color
– Black demonstrates typical color properties like dominancy and blending
– Black fits linguistically into the general category of “color” terms
– Culture and design treat black as a color with aesthetic meaning
– Color science models like CIE and CIE L*u*v* give black a defined color point
So while black is the absence of light, it is certainly the presence of color, both scientifically and perceptually. When it comes to black’s status among the colors of the rainbow, black is back.
