Visual perception and natural illumination

Publication date: December 2019Source: Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Volume 30Author(s): Richard F Murray, Wendy J AdamsWe review recent work on the role of natural illumination in human vision. We discuss research showing that visual perception depends on stable statistical properties of natural light in order to solve the underconstrained problem of estimating the shape, color, and material properties of surfaces and objects. We focus on assumptions about the distribution of luminous flux over 3D directions and spatial locations. We also review work showing that implicit assumptions about lighting color may explain the remarkable individual differences in percepts of #thedress. We conclude by discussing the unsolved problem of how the human visual system represents lighting, and outlining promising directions for future work that has been made possible by recent advances in physically based rendering and light measurement.

Source: Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences - July 10, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research