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The Samoiloff Effect

  • lsimonsart
  • Mar 9
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 1

What is the Samoiloff effect?


Adrian V. Samoiloff, a Russian-born British 'electro-technician', was well known for creating colour illusions through the use of the interaction between the additive primary colours (red, green, blue) and the subtractive primaries (cyan, magenta, yellow).


The Samoiloff effect (named after Adrian V. Samoiloff), is a compelling visual phenomenon that emerges from the interaction of contrasting colours. Samoiloff pioneered this effect to create dramatic and immersive theatrical sets and costumes that shifted in appearance under different lighting conditions. His innovation not only enhanced stagecraft but also introduced a captivating way of manipulating visual perception through colour.


At the core of the Samoiloff effect is an optical illusion in which the perceived hue of a colour changes depending on the presence of a neighbouring, contrasting colour. This phenomenon is rooted in the concept of simultaneous contrast, where colours influence each other's appearance when placed side by side. The human eye, in trying to process these contrasts, exaggerates the differences between them, wrestling in a perceptual shift in how we experience the hues.


The interaction between additive primary colours (red, green, blue) and their subtractive primary counterparts (cyan, magenta, yellow) plays a critical role in this effect. When these opposing colours are combined in proximity, their contrasting properties create what can be called a 'cancelling effect', neutralising each other. This isn't simply a matter of one colour overpowering another. It's a dynamic exchange where both colours alter and are altered, constantly reshaping the viewer's perception.


This manipulation of visual perception through light and colour not only demonstrates the power of contrast but also opens a window into the psychology of sight. The Samoiloff effect is more than just a technical feat; it's a reminder of how our understanding of reality can be fluid, shaped by the context in which we see and experience the world. The shifting hues under different lights challenge the viewer to question what they see, creating a dynamic and ever-changing visual landscape.


Samoiloff's work continues to influence not just theatrical design but also visual art, where this interplay of colours is used to evoke mood, movement, and emotional depth. By controlling how light interacts with colour, artists and designers can immerse audiences in an experience that feels simultaneously grounded in reality and influenced by illusion. The Samoiloff effect, therefore, remains a powerful tool for engaging the eye, mind, and imagination.



How does it work?


The Samoiloff effect can be achieved through both coloured lighting or coloured filters, each manipulating how colours interact to produce striking visual shifts.


When using coloured lighting, the effect operates through additive colour mixing, where the primary colours of light (red, green, blue) combine or cancel out certain hues. Depending on the colour of light, some colours become invisible while others are highlighted:


Red light cancels out magenta and yellow, leaving only cyan visible.

Green light cancels out yellow and cyan, leaving only magenta visible.

Blue light cancels out cyan and magenta, leaving only yellow visible.




These shifts occur because the light interacts with the contrasting colours on the surface, effectively neutralising some while amplifying others, leading to a dynamic change in perception.


Similarly, coloured filters achieve a comparable result through subtractive colour mixing by blocking certain wavelengths of light. While white light passes through a coloured filter, it selectively filters out specific colours, creating the same 'cancellation effect'.


Both techniques allow for precise control over which colours are visible and which are neutralised. Whether through coloured lighting or filters, the Samoiloff effect transforms how colours are perceived, creating an evolving visual experience where hues shift and change based on the light or filters used.




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