What is brightness in the context of color?

In the context of color, brightness refers specifically to the lightness or luminosity of a color. This attribute describes how much light a color appears to emit or reflect, which can influence the overall perception of the color in design. Brightness is often a critical factor when selecting colors for compositions, as it affects visibility, mood, and aesthetic appeal.

For example, a bright yellow is seen as more luminous compared to a deep navy blue, which may appear darker and therefore less bright. Understanding brightness helps designers create effective color palettes that communicate the desired messages and emotions.

The other options focus on different characteristics. Saturation pertains to the intensity or purity of a color, hue refers to the actual color itself, and contrast relates to the differences between colors. While these aspects are important in design, they do not define brightness, which is solely concerned with the degree of lightness or darkness in a color.