The HunterLab color space, developed by R.S. Hunter in 1948, is a three-dimensional, rectangular color space based on the theory of complementary colors. All colors visually perceived can be plotted or numerically represented within this rectangular L, a, b color space. The Hunter Lab color space is based on the CIE XYZ color scale from 1931. R.S. Hunter incorporated this color space into the tristimulus devices he developed, bridging the gap between purely subjective color perception and more objective measurement.
This color space is still used in industry for quality control and color communication.
In the HunterLab color space, colors are described by three axes:
- L: Brightness from black (L=0) to white (L=100).
- a: Position between red (+a) and green (-a).
- b: Position zwischen Gelb (+b) und Blau (-b).
This color space is commonly used in industry for quality control and color communication.
The Hunter L, a, b and CIE L*, a*, b* scales are mathematically derived from the X, Y, Z values. Neither scale is visually uniform; the Hunter L, a, b scale is stretched in the blue region, while the CIE L*, a*, b* scale overemphasizes the yellow region.
The current recommendation by the CIE is to use the CIE L*, a*, b* formula.