A lighting technique developed by Adrian V. Samoiloff for accomplishing costume and scene changes by altering the lighting. Samoiloff took what was already known about light, color, and camouflage and applied them to theatre.
By way of example, imagine a cyan suit with red pinstripes. In daylight it will appear as a cyan suit with red pinstripes. In cyan light the suit cannot be distinguished from a white suit with black pinstripes. Under red light the suit cannot be distinguished from a black suit with white pinstripes.
Samoiloff took it further by understanding how various dyes and pigments react with specific frequencies of light, accomplishing dramatic shifts in perceived colour with subtle changes in light.
This article from the New York Times, October 20, 1921 describes his accomplishments in his own words.
By way of example, imagine a cyan suit with red pinstripes. In daylight it will appear as a cyan suit with red pinstripes. In cyan light the suit cannot be distinguished from a white suit with black pinstripes. Under red light the suit cannot be distinguished from a black suit with white pinstripes.
Samoiloff took it further by understanding how various dyes and pigments react with specific frequencies of light, accomplishing dramatic shifts in perceived colour with subtle changes in light.
This article from the New York Times, October 20, 1921 describes his accomplishments in his own words.
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