Throughout history, black and white have been the two colors that people love most and use in harmony with each other. So, is it black and white? In fact, it is necessary to ask, is there such a thing as color? Let’s take a closer look at the world of colors and look for answers to questions such as whether black and white are colors or not.
Today, if you take the microphone in your hand and do a street interview and ask people their favorite color, black and white will be among the answers you will get the most. True, these two colors are both very alike and have been used in many areas throughout history. But go a little deeper When we look at these two with a receptive eye, we cannot help but ask; Is it black and white color?
The question of whether black and white is a color is not actually a question that will change our daily lives because they are generally accepted as colors. Well, have you ever thought Is there such a thing as color? Yes, the subject is getting more and more interesting because as humans, we live by a common agreement on the world that our brain perceives, and the facts can sometimes be different. Let’s look for the answer by diving into the magical world of colors.
It is best to start with a general definition; What is color, is there such a thing as color?
The definition of color by the Turkish Language Association is as follows;
Sensation in the eye caused by light reflected by objects.
It’s a great definition because according to science, color is the result of light reaching the retina in different ways. It is a kind of perception. So there is a light in the middle, it bounces off the objects and reflects to our eyes, and we say that this is the color. So yes, there is such a thing as color, albeit with our perception.
The human eye can see wavelengths of light between 380 and 750 nanometers. Light waves transmitted from our eyes to our brain It is perceived by millions of cells and distinguished as a color. It is not the same for everyone, but our brain can perceive about 10 million different colors. There is no scientific study, but we are sure that everyone will agree, this number is much lower in men.
The wavelength ranges of some of the colors we are most exposed to:
- Red: 625 – 740 nm
- Orange: 590 – 625 nm
- Yellow: 565 – 590 nm
- Green: 500 – 565 nm
- Cyan: 485 – 500 nm
- Blue: 450 – 485 nm
- Indigo: 450 – 420 nm
- Purple: 380 – 440 nm
Is there a color called black?
Light reflects off objects and is perceived as color when transferred from our eyes to our brains. So how do we see black even where there is no light? We see black because the color we call black is a wavelength of light that we perceive when light is absorbed rather than reflected by objects, or when there is very little light.
What colors does white contain?
When light is reflected from objects, color becomes black when absorbed. What about white? It was once thought that the natural color of light was white, but Isaac Newton in his studies revealed that white is a combination of all colors. To make a scientific definition, if the light reflected from the object contains all colors, our brain perceives it as white. So our brains confuse wavelengths a bit.
So what is the difference between black and white?
As it appears in many proverbs, idioms and popular culture products, black and white They are completely opposite colors. If a light wave is absorbed by the object, our brain perceives it as black, but if the light wave is reflected by the object in a way that includes literally all colors, our brain perceives it as white. Although there is no definite definition, we can talk about a difference in the presence and absence of light.
Heads were thoroughly confused; Is black and white a color or what is it?
Let’s remember the definition of color again; Color is the perception that occurs as a result of the reflection of light of different wavelengths on the object from our eyes to our brain. In this way, if we need to proceed through the scientific definition, we can clearly say that Black and white are not colors. Because there is no reflection and perception situation as we know it.
If we expand the scientific definition a little bit and add that the light transmitted by the human eye to the brain is not perceived and the lack of light is added to this definition. Let’s say it’s black and white. After all, when we look at a very bright light, we see white, and when we look at a place where there is no light, we see black. Color, color.
Black and white colors have had many important meanings throughout history:
Today we are debating whether it is a color or not, but black and white have been the colors that have been with us since we knew ourselves. The Turkish equivalent of the color black is black and it has always symbolized evil. It is frightening because it describes the absence of color. It also reflects power and seriousness. Since it evokes colorlessness, it has become an inseparable part of death and close meaning concepts.
White, which is the Turkish equivalent of white, has always symbolized purity. As the opposite of black, it reflects goodness and innocence. It also has meanings such as cleanliness, light, a new beginning. But interestingly, unlike other cultures, white is seen as a symbol of death and evil in Chinese and Indian cultures.
Why do black and white designs sound more impressive?
If you’re into photography and visual design, you know, black and white actually means light and shadow. With black and white, even if it’s different colors visuals enriched with light and shadow always much more effective. Many changes to be made on the visual are already built on these two features.
There are also images consisting of only black and white, with no different colors included. We don’t think anyone will object. these are the most impressive. Of course, the meaning of the image consisting of black and white may be different for everyone, but people feel as if they see life and death together in images where these two colors, which we generally define as existence and non-existence, are used together. Isn’t that the simplest definition of man, anyway, we live and die.
Is black and white a color or what is it? Is there such a thing as color? We answered some of the frequently asked questions about these two colors that everyone likes. Whether in colors or in works of the heart; Contradictions inevitably attract us all.