Metamerism & Color Constancy

Metamerism

Types of Metamerism
There are 4 types of metamerism
• Illuminant metamerism
• Geometric metamerism
• Observer metamerism
• Instrument metamerism

Of these illuminant metamerism is critical for colorist.

Illuminant Metamerism

F11 D65

Clothes Match No Match

In the Store Outside
Metamerism
Metamerism describes the quality of a color match.
It requires a pair of samples.
A single object cannot be called “metameric”
The color change in a single object viewed under different lights is
called, “Flare” Objects whose colors flare less show more color
constancy.
A metameric pair of objects will appear the same color in one light but a
different color in another.
Their color coordinates (XYZ/ Lab ) will match in one illuminant, but not
another.
Two metameric objects will have different reflectance curves.
The amount of metamerism can usually be inferred by examining curve
shapes.
Metamerism is a common problem in products assembled from
components of various sources or materials.
Metamerism
Spectral curves of a metameric pair:
FLARE

One Object’s Color Change with Lighting

D65 A

X = 58.1 X = 84.2
Y = 36.0 Y = 49.6
Z = 5.9 Z = 1.9
Color Coordinates Color Perception

Two colors with equal color coordinates would

appear to match.

X = 28.5 X = 28.5
Y = 30.0 Y = 30.0
Z = 32.6 Z = 32.6

D65
Color Coordinates ≠ Spectral Response

Objects need not have equal spectral curves to

yield equal color coordinates.

X = 28.5 X = 28.5
Y = 30.0 Y = 30.0
100
Z = 32.6 100
Z = 32.6
80
80

60
60

40
40

20
20

0
0

D65
Metamerism

Objects with different spectral curves may not

match if light sources or observers change.

X = 27.7 X = 36.3
Y = 30.6 Y = 29.8
100
Z = 9.50 100
Z = 12.2
80
80

60
60

40
40

20
20

0
0

A
Illuminant Metamerism

Metameric pairs of objects match under one light . . .

X = 15.4 X = 15.4
Y = 20.2 Y = 20.2
Z = 20.4 Z = 20.4
35 35

30 30

25 25

20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0

D65
Illuminant Metamerism

Metameric pairs of objects match under one light. . .

but not under another

X = 15.4 X = 17.2
Y = 20.2 Y = 18.5
Z = 20.4 Z = 7.00
35 35

30 30

25 25

20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0

A
Metamerism Indices
A metamerism index provides a numerical value for an
expected change in color resulting from a change in
illuminant.
For a sample pair which is a perfect match in one
illuminant /observer condition (DE* = 0.00) and a CIE
DE* of 1.00 in another condition, the metamerism index
equals 1.00

Type of metamerism can also result from changes in:

Observer,
Geometry (Viewing angle)
Surfaces
Flare & Color Constancy

D65 A F2

Objects with high color constancy have low flare.

Objects with high flare are inconstant
Color Constancy
An object’s color changes under different light sources

TL84/F11
D65
FLARE

One Object’s Color Change with Lighting

D65 A

X = 58.1 X = 84.2
Y = 36.0 Y = 49.6
Z = 5.9 Z = 1.9