2016/10/21

Colours and camouflages

.
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.

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.
.

1 comment:

  1. 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.

    PS 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.

    ReplyDelete