Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Tomato Analyzer: A Useful Software Application to Collect Accurate and Detailed Morphological and Colorimetric Data from Two-dimensional Objects
Published on: March 16, 2010
Kitaoka's Tomato: Two Simple Explanations Based on Information in the Stimulus
Arthur Shapiro1, Laysa Hedjar2, Erica Dixon2
1Department of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Computer Science, American University, Washington, DC, USA; Program in Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience, American University, Washington, DC, USA.
Kitaoka's Tomato illusion demonstrates how a red tomato appears despite a blue-green overlay. This color illusion is explained by simple image processing, not complex color constancy.
Area of Science:
- Visual perception
- Color science
- Computational neuroscience
Background:
- Kitaoka's Tomato is a compelling color illusion.
- It involves a semitransparent blue-green field over a red object.
- The object retains its perceived red color, contrary to isolated pixel appearance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the mechanism behind Kitaoka's Tomato illusion.
- To determine if complex color constancy is necessary for this illusion.
- To investigate the role of spatial scale and dynamic range in color perception.
Main Methods:
- Analysis using high-pass filtering.
- Application of histogram equalization techniques.
- Examination of the physical stimulus properties.
Main Results:
- The illusion can be explained by high-pass filtering.
- Histogram equalization also accounts for the perceived color.
- The red color is physically present within the stimulus at appropriate scales.
Conclusions:
- Kitaoka's Tomato illusion does not necessitate complex color constancy inferences.
- Simple image processing mechanisms explain the phenomenon.
- The physical properties of the stimulus are key to the perceived color.
More Related Videos
09:07In Vivo Calcium Imaging of Neuronal Ensembles in Networks of Primary Sensory Neurons in Intact Dorsal Root Ganglia
Published on: February 10, 2023
05:03Direct Observation and Automated Measurement of Stomatal Responses to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 in Arabidopsis thaliana
Published on: February 9, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Responses to Gravity and Touch
ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview
There are four main types of ATP-driven pumps - P-type, V-type, F-type, and ABC transporter. All these pumps are of varying complexities and are...
Resting Membrane Potential
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
The Physiology of Taste