What is Color Hue?
Hue refers to the pure spectrum colors, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. It is the attribute of a visual sensation according to which an area appears to be similar to one of these perceived colors, or to a combination of two of them (e.g., yellowish-green or bluish-red). Essentially, it's what we typically think of as the fundamental 'color' of an object.
How Hue is Determined by Light
In physics, hue is primarily determined by the dominant wavelength of light that is either emitted by a source or reflected by an object. Different wavelengths within the visible electromagnetic spectrum correspond to different hues: shorter wavelengths appear as blues and violets, while longer wavelengths appear as reds and oranges. The human eye and brain interpret these specific wavelengths as distinct colors.
Hue in Practical Application
When an artist discusses selecting a 'hue' for a painting, they are referring to picking a specific pure color from the color wheel, such as a true blue or a vibrant yellow. They might then modify its lightness (value) or intensity (saturation), but the underlying hue remains the same. In scientific contexts, a spectrophotometer can measure the dominant hue of a light source or reflected light by identifying its peak wavelength.
Importance in Perception and Design
Hue is a fundamental dimension of color perception that enables us to differentiate and categorize the vast array of colors we see. It plays a critical role in visual communication, aesthetic design, and scientific analysis, forming the basis for color identification and classification. A clear understanding of hue is essential for fields ranging from painting and graphic design to optics and chemistry.