Just a tiny info: There are a couple simulators on the web that allow you to look at images the way colourblind people see them. This one is an example, this is another one.
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| Flecktarn as seen by a blue-blind person (Tritanopia) |
Naturally, I used this free opportunity to satisfy my curiosity about how camouflage patterns fare in the different modes*, but the outcome after using several photos with different camouflages and backgrounds was very simple: What matters more than anything else** is brightness and darkness. Shadows attract one's attention very much if they're in the wrong place.
Even tank camouflage colour patterns can be quite effective (at 1+ km), but the shadowy running gear still makes a tank easily spotted (and the warmth of the running gear of a moving or recently moved tank is easily recognizable with thermal sensors).
So in the end, the best camouflage pattern is still the one worn while hiding in a shadow of a large, inconspicuous object.
S O
*: This may be interesting to hunters, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers as well, since their camouflage will often look different to the wildlife than to themselves.
**: I need to mention that out-of-place or easily recognizable shapes are a big issue as well. This is the reason for why the Israelis use such irregular, odd-looking helmet covers - they make the helmet not look like a helmet any more.
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Often the best camo bettern did not achieve anything because the soldiers did not understand camoflage in the necessary holistic way. Take the picture for example: No Camoflage for the weapons which are still black. And a easily observable angle between head and shoulders. So all the other camo-effort is near useless because of that.
ReplyDeletePS and by the way: The israelis helm-cover has also the purpose to hide especially this angle between head and shoulders which the human brain can easily recognize and use it to identify something as a other human.