Explanation of the LAB Color Space

Color space defined by the CIE, based on one channel for Luminance (lightness) (L) and two color channels (a and b).

One problem with the XYZ color system, is that colorimetric distances between the individual colors do not correspond to perceived color differences. For example, in the figure above, a difference between green and greenish-yellow is relatively large, whereas the distance distinguishing blue and red is quite small. The CIE solved this problem in 1976 with the development of the three-dimensional Lab color space (or CIELAB color space).

In this model, the color differences which you perceive correspond to distances when measured colorimetrically. The a axis extends from green (-a) to red (+a) and the b axis from blue (-b) to yellow (+b). The brightness (L) increases from the bottom to the top of the three-dimensional model. (From www.linocolor.com)

Figure: The CIELAB color space (from www.linocolor.com)

This color space is better suited to many digital image manipulations than the RGB space, which is typically used in image editing programs. For example, the Lab space is useful for sharpening images and the removing artifacts in JPEG images or in images from digital cameras and scanners.