spalvos

Spalvos, or colors, are perceptual attributes of objects and scenes that arise from the way light interacts with the eye and brain. They describe how light wavelengths are detected by the retina and interpreted by the visual system. Colors are not inherent properties of objects; rather they result from light that is reflected, absorbed, or transmitted.

The physics of color involves the visible spectrum, roughly 380 to 750 nanometers. A light source and an object's surface determine the wavelengths that reach the eye. When only one wavelength is present, a pure color is perceived; when many wavelengths mix, a composite color results. White light is a broad mixture of wavelengths, while black denotes the absence of detectable light.

Colors are described using models and spaces. The additive color model uses red, green, and blue light (RGB) to create colors on electronic displays. The subtractive model uses cyan, magenta, and yellow pigments (with black added in CMYK printing) for pigments and inks. Color spaces such as sRGB, Adobe RGB, or ProPhoto RGB define the range of representable colors and guide color management, gamma, and tone mapping.

Perception of color depends on biology and context. Humans typically have three types of cone photoreceptors responsive to short, medium, and long wavelengths, enabling a trichromatic color experience. Language and culture influence color naming, and some individuals have color vision deficiencies that alter color perception. Color theory also studies relationships among colors, including complementary, analogous, and triadic schemes, to guide design and art.

Colors play a central role in design, communication, and aesthetics. They affect mood, readability, branding, and interpretation. Color management seeks consistent reproduction across devices, lighting, and media, ensuring that colors appear similarly in different contexts.