Blue eggs - true color photography?

On of the confounding factors in discussing blue egg color is different perceptions of the same color between different people, cameras, and viewing screens. This is an example of how variable color perception can be.

I did an experiment with a basketful of eggs donated by 2 cream Legbar pullets and a EE hen. Eggs were compared to the Araucana club color chart (I found the Online Auction Chart - OAC - lacking in enough comparisons in the blue/green range, while the Araucana chart understandably had more choices).

The eggs were amazingly close in color and saturation, and the only way the EE eggs could be differentiated was by their size. To my eye one of the pullets layed slightly more saturated eggs than the other, but not significantly different when compared to the chart. They were all closest to D6 on the Araucana color chart.

I collected the eggs for several weeks, wondering if there would be a color change as time went by. I did not find any significant difference in color or saturation over time, although with a longer time there may be some depletion of color.

Following are a set of photos taken of a basket of eggs. The only variable was the background the egg basket was set on top of - they were taken in the same spot, sequentially, in bright natural light with no flash, with the same camera except the last photo. That was taken with a Nikon D7000, while the others were taken with my Droid X2, and that photo was taken immediately after the one before on the same background.















As you can see, there is considerable variability in how the eggs appear. In addition, NONE of the pictures, either on the cameras or on the computer screen, matched the actual appearance of the eggs.

To truly describe egg colors, comparison with a standardized chart such as the Araucana chart or the OAC should be done. This will eliminate the variables of color perception.

Interestingly, I looked at those eggs every day for 2 weeks and saw BLUE eggs. After comparing them to the OAC and Araucana charts, I then saw a basket of GREEN eggs for several days - but now they look blue to me again! Mind over matter?

That's so weird/cool. Huh. Only the second pic looks green to me, but if you have to factor in how different computer screens show pics differently, you'll be in an entirely new ballgame.

AMAZING- thanks so much for taking the time to do this! Blue really is a funny color, isn't it!

1muttsfan said:

Interestingly, I looked at those eggs every day for 2 weeks and saw BLUE eggs. After comparing them to the OAC and Araucana charts, I then saw a basket of GREEN eggs for several days - but now they look blue to me again! Mind over matter?

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Lol...my eggs look blue too untill I put them to the chart. Then they look green.

Fascinating experiment. I have a brother who is a part time artist and got BFA with a concentration in painting and print making. Having been around him while he is trying to paint a scene or object, I can tell you that a question he asks himself over and over while he works is "What is the light doing to the colors?" Actual colors can appear very different in different light. Different times of day, different sources of light and different angles of light can all affect our perception of color.

Since there is no "SOP" for light or lighting, you just have to do the best you can in comparing to the charts.

1muttsfan said:

On of the confounding factors in discussing blue egg color is different perceptions of the same color between different people, cameras, and viewing screens. This is an example of how variable color perception can be.
(shortened quote)
Following are a set of photos taken of a basket of eggs. The only variable was the background the egg basket was set on top of - they were taken in the same spot, sequentially, in bright natural light with no flash, with the same camera except the last photo. That was taken with a Nikon D7000, while the others were taken with my Droid X2, and that photo was taken immediately after the one before on the same background.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the sample! I was wondering if your notes and the pictures are not quite in sync? The second photo is distinctly different, both the eggs and basket color have changed. I agree with other comments regarding how variable color is in different lighting and with regards to reflected light. There are some great visual puzzles, in black, white and grey, that illustrate how shape and position affect perception.

On-line, it is helpful to see other eggs together, especially against other colors. Viewing eggs at home, I try to use north facing light (which is bluer than other directions =) or the same light source. Incandescent, fluorescent and LED are so different from each other, and offer so many choices within their categories. On a side note, there is a variety of glassware that appears purple in daylight and teal in fluorescent.

I assembled a color palette of my blue egg layers against white so I can cross reference it. I saved the eggs and finally have my OAC to compare them to. I'll post separately.

Blue Eggs, April 2013.
The outside egg by itself is from a Wheaten Ameraucana pullet (who has just gone broody?!).
The three outside eggs grouped together are from year old EE sisters.
The central eggs are from the Seven Sisters, 5 month old Crested Cream Legbars, supposedly GFF line B.
I haven't done the OAC check yet.
This shot had the least shadowing; no flash, north light, iPad photo.
I also have a close up at another angle, but it posts sideways and I don't know how to fix that.





The color of the Wh. Ameraucana is always very consistent. I have two CCLs that are very close.
I have two CCLs that are a soft blue, virtually identical to one of the EE.
I have two CC's that started out with a green shading close to the other EE's; recent eggs are less green.
And I have one CCL in the center that is it's own shade.

Most cameras used now automatically adjust for lighting. In addition, they often have built-in software that adjusts the picture. All 5 of the first photos were taken just as stated, sequencially with the same camera, the only change being the background. I deliberately used the auto setting on my nikon as well, as most people use auto during home photography. Another experiment would be to use manual to set the f-stop and exposure, then change only the background, but this was intended to show how variable the results are with more commonly-used devices.

The only way to make egg color discussions meaningful is to compare egg colors to a standardized chart.

This color test has been around in egg color discussions, and is worth a try if you are interested in color perception - thanks dredt for posting it again

http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77

lonnyandrinda said:

AMAZING- thanks so much for taking the time to do this! Blue really is a funny color, isn't it!

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My mother used to drive a Rambler that is about the color of these eggs. I always saw it blue and she always saw it green. We used to have extended discussions about it!