Color IQ
by Mark ~ October 5th, 2008. Filed under: Photo Tips, Visit-worthy links, art, artistry, composition, creativity.X-rite has an interesting test they have posted on their site called “Test your Color IQ” - which perhaps is a test of your color distinction abilities and also how well calibrated your monitor is. You can take this test here.
I took the test a few days ago, and then took it again today just to see if my results changed any over some time. The results from a few days ago, I scored “8″ - which supposedly is pretty good according to their demographic scale of my sex and age group.
Seems I had the most trouble in the purple/violet area with the test a few days ago. I took the test again today, and scored a bit better. But it is interesting that the areas where I had trouble with shifted completely - now more in the yellow greens.
Of course I have to wonder why that is. Is it dependent on my mood on that particular day? Perhaps because I did more yard work on the day of the 2nd try and was sick of looking at green? :-) I am overdue to calibrate my monitor (Apple Cinema Display 23″ LCD, calibrated with an X-rite EyeOne Photo spectrophotometer) - so I think I will try again after a fresh calibration.
I think this is a fascinating test to try under different conditions, stress levels and moods because it can perhaps tell us a little bit about how we might interpret like colors in the field. Perhaps it would affect why we happen to make one composition versus another when having a choice in a full range of color.
A very fun test, and thanks to the folks at Xrite for making it available. Give it a try and let me know how you did, and if you think any particular circumstances affected your results.
October 5th, 2008 at
That was very interesting! I’d thought I’d aced it, but I only scored 11.
October 6th, 2008 at
I took it as well at work and did horrible the first time. The second time I got a “4″ but I was at home on my calibrated monitor. I bet you’re right, though…I bet mood and stress has a lot to do with the results.
October 6th, 2008 at
My score was 3. I credit my Montessori training and teaching years. The color tablets, box three or four if memory serves, is a set of color gradients to be mixed and then sorted back into the proper sequence. Giving the lesson and helping children with the work probably strengthened my ability.
October 7th, 2008 at
Very interesting test. thought I would do well but only scored an 18, and maybe that’s not all bad on a scale to 99, but I need it to be better I know. Will try it again tomorrow or later tonight and see what happens.
October 7th, 2008 at
A 24 here!
Eyes are tired, and I’m overdue for an eye exam anyway.
I also had a shot of tequila about 2 hours ago, because my LCD went belly up on me this morning and I am now on a much older CRT for the time being.
Maybe this is why I saw red better than anything else!!
October 8th, 2008 at
Very cool test Mark, thanks for link. A perfect way to procrastinate instead of working on submissions! I scored an 8 on a 24″ Dell Ultrasharp LCD that’s long overdue for recalibration.
Hope all is well in Mich and the fall colors are as vibrant as they are here in Ontario!
October 8th, 2008 at
Trying it from one day to the next is interesting, … especially in the way that you perceive certain colors.
Scored a 12 today!
October 9th, 2008 at
A score of 7 for me here a 10:40pm. Agree it is worthwhile trying under different circumstances. Very tired today after a bad nights sleep yesterday (life with a baby!) and will also try under daylight conditions. Thanks for sharing this although I had seen the test somewhere else, but forgot about it, so glad you posted it. Enjoy autumn, spring is definitely now in the air down under. Cheers Thomas!
P.S. Did any of you check out James Nacthwey’s project: http://www.xdrtb.org. It is well worth a visit, quite moving and strong images. A good cause to support too!
October 9th, 2008 at
Lana, Jules,Con,Brad -looks like you all did pretty good! Stop raising the curve!
Hmmm, I do wonder if the shot of Tequila helped or hurt you, Mike
Ethan, thanks for stopping by man. Colors are just getting started here, some areas better than others of course. I hope to spend some time out there this weekend.
Thomas - yeah not bad on little sleep. I guess you are just gearing up for some spring wildflowers eh? I did see Nacthwey’s presentation - very powerful and moving.
October 9th, 2008 at
That was interesting. I got, “You have perfect color vision!” How about that! I guess that means I can put off calibrating my monitor for another few days.
October 16th, 2008 at
I scored a 0 but don’t take any particular credit as far as color acuity. I think I’m just very proficient at moving little boxes around.
Well, okay, I do spend a stunning amount of time looking at color, ICC profiles and all that stuff… perhaps it helps.
October 22nd, 2008 at
I scored better the second time around too.
November 9th, 2008 at
Cool! What are you using to calibrate your monitor Mark? I’d love to take the test, but my at home monitor (my workhorse) isn’t connected to the internet!
November 9th, 2008 at
I was able to take it (although my monitor is past calibration), and I scored an 8! Pretty cool.
November 9th, 2008 at
Kari - I use an EyeOne Photo spectrophotometer.