Chromatic Adaptation

Chromatic adaptation is the visual process by which our eyes adjust to different lighting conditions to perceive colors accurately. When moving between environments with different light sources—like from daylight to indoor lighting—our eyes adapt so that colors appear consistent. This adjustment involves changes in the sensitivity of our cone cells in the retina, allowing us to see familiar colors regardless of the ambient light’s color temperature. Essentially, chromatic adaptation helps maintain color stability in our perception, enabling us to recognize objects and colors consistently across various lighting conditions.