What Is Color?: 50 Questions and Answers on the Science of Color

Школа рисунка / School of painting

by Arielle Eckstut, Joann Eckstut

A comprehensive illustrated exploration of the fascinating science of color   Arielle and Joann Eckstut, authors of The Secret Language of Color, offer a thorough, readable, and highly visual exploration of the science of color. Organized by 50 of the most essential questions about color across a variety of fields—physics, chemistry, biology, technology, and psychology—this book examines how and why we see color; how color relates to light; what the real primary colors are; how biology, language, and culture affect the colors that we see; and much more. Full of clear and elegant infographics, What Is Color? is a must-have for artists and designers, scientists, students, and decorators, and anyone else whose work or play involves color.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Science, Design, Psychology

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2020

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite uneven. It is, as the title indicates, structured into "chapters" of one question and then three answers to the question of increasing complexity. When I first began reading I was using a black and white e-reader. This was fairly pointless for a book about color so I switched to a color one. Even so, the first part of the book was pretty basic so the initial lack of color wasn't much of a problem. By the middle of the book (in color) it became somewhat more sophisticated. Unfortunately it fell down toward the end of the book where the most interesting questions were discussed. The authors had trouble with terms like shade, hue, value and chroma sometimes confusing them and not explaining any of them particularly well.

[Alex Lobko · Rating 3 out of 5]

По настроению это Детская энциклопедия. В детстве, думаю, мне бы очень понравилось. Ничего особо нового не обнаружено, но провести пару часов для систематизации вполне можно.
Под конец выбранный формат (набор вопросов и три варианта ответов на них, от односложного, до более научного) начинает утомлять, так как теряется связная история.

Главный плюс этого издания - множество цветных иллюстраций, и их приятно рассматривать.

[Petros · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-made book, explaining in a brief and fairly concise manner some of the “science of color”.

It does a good job at explaining the difference between color of light and colors from pigments —the former add frequencies while the latter subtract (that’s why combining different colors of light can result in white color, while combining different pigments can result in black)— touches upon different light sources (incandescent light, fluorescent light, LED, etc.), talks about contrast and hue, a bit of the biology (rods and cones in the iris), and so on.

But unfortunately it doesn’t do a good job at covering the biological/psychological side of color. For instance, the particularly interesting question of how language may affect color perception is glossed over without really providing any actual insight.

Having said that, I did learn new/interesting bits of information and the book was engaging.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind changing book. Easy to read, but hard to wrap your mind around the fact that color doesn't exist.

[Luciano Elementi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear, concise, scientifically sound, and fun to read treatise on color.
I recommend reading this book for simple education, for your youngster, but make sure you understand all the hues (shades) of the subject before giving information. Color is not trivial, not to be taken for grant. We live in it, enjoy it, and 99.99% do not understand it at all.
Reading this book, patiently reading, and digging into the factual representation in it, won't make anyone an expert, but surely clarifies an all bunch of things!
Thank you to the authors for the undertaking

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

HCPL Nonfiction: 535.6 Eck

This book is in the adult non-fiction section of the library, but I know many students who would enjoy the illustrations/photography that is included. I'll definitely be utilizing this in story time as a visual reference for my Family Storytime programs, and will most likely purchase it for my home library collection.

Pub Date: [2020]
ISBN: 9781419734519
Description: 143 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm
Note: Table of Contents and index are included

[Terry Polston · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* because this book should not be available on Kindle. I'm sure the diagrams and other images would bring the book to life and visually help explain the text, but on a Kindle, it's all black/white/gray.
The difference in color between pigment colors and colors lit by a light source was...illuminating.

[Deidra Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The different color theories humanity has created were all fascinating to learn about. I didn’t know about CRI numbers. Additive vs. subtractive light models were my favorite to read and think about. I also loved that they ended with the dress picture. That was a good addition.

[Adam Dudley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed learning more about the science and philosophy of color in a fun picture book form for adults!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent explanation of color theory. Each question has 3 levels of answer, so my 12 yo liked it too!

[Clayton Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the audience it is targetting, it does a good job of explaining colour and the why of it.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have ever read about color and how we perceive it!

[Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a brief science guide for the public, explaining basic terms related to colour.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what it says on the tin, lots of interesting science about what color is and how we perceive it.

[Jean Kinion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very technical but good infotmation.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it is possible for a book about color to be scientific, analytical, and left-brained overall.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly readable book that does not frighten with unexplained jargon.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed looking at this and reading it so I decided to buy it after getting it from the library.