Abstract
Adaptation to time-varying contrast reduces the visibility of subsequently viewed grey test items (Webster & Mollon, JOSA A 1993, 10, 1332-40). We adapted to a contour-rich "#" pattern and tested on congruent patterns of different contrasts, using a constant-stimuli matching method. Results were linear: All test contrasts were uniformly reduced subjectively to 60% of their physical value. Adapting to a non-congruent, slightly larger square patch covering the same area had less effect, showing the importance of contours. Adaptation to a high-contrast photograph that alternated (flickered) between positive and negative reduced the visibility of low-contrast test photos of the same person, whether these were positive or negative.
Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2012