Colourful Notions

Synopsis: Looks at theories of colour perception. The tradition theory holds that humans see colour because there are cones in the eye which analyse the red, green and blue components of objects. Dr Edwin Land, who invented the Polaroid instant camera in 1984, argues that colours are the result of complex calculations in the brain to ensure that objects can be recognised under a wide range of lighting conditions. Here he recreates some of his early experiments to show how black and white photographs, illuminated wtih only red and white light, can appear in full colour, and how colours remain constant despite changing illumination. His theories are verified by studies of the parts of the brain that deal with vision. Experiments with rhesus monkeys have led to a new model of how vision is represnted in the brain. It may be possible eventuallyuto explain why humans and other animals need to see in colour at all.
Series: Horizon, Series
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 50 min.
Year of production: 1985
Availability: Sale; 2000 sale: £99.00 (+VAT +p&p)
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: colour vision; Land, Edwin; perception; sensory perception; vision

Name: BBC Active Video for Learning - now BBC Learning
Contact: Carolina Fernandez Jeremy Wilcox (CF - for educational enquiries JW - channel sales manager)
Email: BBCStudiosLearning@bbc.com
Web: https://www.bbcstudioslearning.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone: +44 (0) 20 8433 1009
Address: BBC Studios Limited
Television Centre
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UK
Notes: The BBC Active company has now been absorbed within BBC Learning, a division of BBC Studios. It was originally a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Pearson Education. Formerly known as ‘BBC Worldwide Learning Studies’ and before that as ‘Videos for Education & Training’

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British Universities Film & Video Council