Additive Color Mixing
Light Intensity Controls
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Understanding Additive Color Mixing
Additive color mixing occurs when different colored lights are combined together. This is the principle behind digital displays, stage lighting, and LED screens. Unlike mixing paints (subtractive), mixing lights adds wavelengths together.
The three primary colors of light are Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). When all three are combined at full intensity, they create white light.
Primary and Secondary Colors
Primary Colors (RGB)
Red
RGB(255, 0, 0)
Green
RGB(0, 255, 0)
Blue
RGB(0, 0, 255)
Red + Green = Yellow
RGB(255, 255, 0)
Green + Blue = Cyan
RGB(0, 255, 255)
Red + Blue = Magenta
RGB(255, 0, 255)
Color Science & Light Properties
Light Wavelengths
Red Light620-750 nm
Green Light495-570 nm
Blue Light450-495 nm
RGB Color Model
• Additive System: Colors add light
• 8-bit per channel: 0-255 values
• 16.7 Million Colors: 256³ combinations
• Display Technology: Monitors, TVs, LEDs
Digital Applications
- • Computer Monitors: LCD, OLED, LED displays
- • Television Screens: HDR and color gamuts
- • Mobile Devices: Smartphone and tablet screens
- • Digital Cameras: Image sensors and processing
Creative Industries
- • Stage Lighting: Theater and concert lighting
- • Film Production: Digital cinematography
- • Architecture: LED building illumination
- • Gaming: RGB peripherals and displays