The Color Imaging Lab forms part of the Department of Optics of the University of Granada. In this department we have carried out research into both classical Colorimetry (e.g. color differences) and Color Vision (e.g. chromatic discrimination) since the beginning of the 1970s. In the 1990s we became interested in both human and computational color constancy.
From 1990 to 2000 we decided to direct our research attention towards color images, while maintaining open the research lines about human vision related to color constancy and perception of chromatic gratings.We became interested in the mathematical characterization of objects and illuminants in scenes by obtaining linear models for the representation of spectral reflectances of various different types of artificial object, particularly acrylic paints and the SPDs of natural and artificial illuminants. For daylight we carried out a far-reaching campaign of experimental measurements and a subsequent mathematical characterization based upon the principal components analysis (PCA). After, we worked on the recovery of daylight SPDs, scene illumination in general and also lately spectral estimation. We used several algorithms based upon the use of conventional CCD cameras, with or without the addition of color filters in front of the lens.
At present, we are looking into the design of optimum sensors to use in the spectral acquisition of HDR color images. Based in color and/or spectral information of images, we also work in the development of algorithms for recognition of objects in natural scenes, dehazing methods and multispectral color scanners.
Alongside this line of research we have also continued working in computational color constancy. We have applied the fundamental concepts relating to the phenomenon of color constancy in the development of color-descriptors invariant to changes in illumination applicable to color imaging. In addition we are studying the statistical properties of natural color images and the influence of daylight illuminationon the statistical descriptors such as color contrast, gamut, etc.
In the immediate future we intend to continue along these lines of research by improving our methods of acquiring multispectral images both outside and in the laboratory and by applying color and multispectral techniques to several fields, like industrial inspection systems and characterization of goniochromatic materials.
We still continue with experimental work into the Applied Colorimetry and Atmospheric Optics.
In the field of teaching we are involved in doctoral programmes, master programmes, courses and other activities related to color imaging. We have also been involved in the organization of several conferences including the 10th Congress of the International Colour Association, AIC Colour 05.
We teach in the Master Erasmus Mundus "Computational Color and Spectral Imaging" - COSI. The COSI consortium is composed of University of Saint-Etienne (France), University of Eastern Finland (Finland), University of Granada (Spain) and University College Gjovik (Norway) and delivers the two-year Master programme (120 ECTS) under the prestigious Erasmus program.
The 2-year Master Programme (120 ECTS) COSI aims to develop interdisciplinary trained experts in sectors encompassing intelligent image processing, colour, spectral and digital imaging in applied science and in applications development and analysis. The objective is to educate students in advanced methodologies, applied models and practical applications with 2 goals: enhance the employability and improve career prospects of graduates on one hand and meet the needs of industrials on the other hand.
COSI involves 4 EU HEIs as Full Partners: University Jean Monnet (UJM – France), University of Granada (UGR- Spain), University of Eastern Finland (UEF–Finland), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU–Norway); Associated Industrial Partners: Technicolor, Hewlett-Packard, Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Océ Print Logic Technologies S.A., L’Oréal, Specim, Barco, Chromasens,…; HEIs in Asia and supporting Partners: Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Monash University (Malaysia), Khulna University (Bangladesh), Tribhuvan University (Nepal), Institute of Technology Bandung (Indonesia), Technological University (Tajikistan), Universidad Nacional del Sur (Argentina)...
