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Cited by 335Visual perception and processing mechanismsComputer Graphics and Visualization TechniquesFace Recognition and Perception

On the perception of shape from shading

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Kleffner, Dorothy A., Ramachandran, V. S.·1992·Perception & Psychophysics
DOI 10.3758/bf03206757
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Abstract

The extraction of three-dimensional shape from shading is one of the most perceptually compelling, yet poorly understood, aspects of visual perception. In this paper, we report several new experiments on the manner in which the perception of shape from shading interacts with other visual processes such as perceptual grouping, preattentive search ("pop-out"), and motion perception. Our specific findings are as follows: (1) The extraction of shape from shading information incorporates at least two "assumptions" or constraints--first, that there is a single light source illuminating the whole scene, and second, that the light is shining from "above" in relation to retinal coordinates. (2) Tokens defined by shading can serve as a basis for perceptual grouping and segregation. (3) Reaction time for detecting a single convex shape does not increase with the number of items in the display. This "pop-out" effect must be based on shading rather than on differences in luminance polarity, since neither left-right differences nor step changes in luminance resulted in pop-out. (4) When the subjects were experienced, there were no search asymmetries for convex as opposed to concave tokens, but when the subjects were naive, cavities were much easier to detect than convex shapes. (5) The extraction of shape from shading can also provide an input to motion perception. And finally, (6) the assumption of "overhead illumination" that leads to perceptual grouping depends primarily on retinal rather than on "phenomenal" or gravitational coordinates. Taken collectively, these findings imply that the extraction of shape from shading is an "early" visual process that occurs prior to perceptual grouping, motion perception, and vestibular (as well as "cognitive") correction for head tilt. Hence, there may be neural elements very early in visual processing that are specialized for the extraction of shape from shading.

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  • A Bayesian observer will make the wrong scene interpretation when its assumptions about statistical regularities in the world are violated.

    “Specifically, because a Bayesian observer must rely on assumptions of statistical regularities in the world (e.g., light tends to come from overhead), it will necessarily make the wrong scene interpretation whenever it is placed in a context where its assumptions happen to be violated”

    From The Interface Theory of Perception (2015) · cites this paper as Kleffner & Ramachandran, 1992

    The paper describes an overhead-light assumption in shape-from-shading perception and shows that it can affect whether a shape appears convex or concave (opening section; page not supplied). It does not characterize the observer as Bayesian or establish that a violated assumption necessarily produces a wrong interpretation in every context. The Discussion (page not supplied) says the overhead-light assumption can be overridden by other image cues. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. J. (1987). Evolution of thebrain in primates. In R. L. Gregory, (Ed.), Oxford companion to the mind (pp. 633-639). Oxford Univer- sity Press.
  2. HORN, B. (1975). Obtaining shape from shading information. In P. H. Winston (Ed.), Psychology ofcomputer vision. New York: McGraw- Hill.
  3. JULESZ, B. (1971). Foundations ofcyclopean perception. Chicago: Uni- versity of Chicago Press.
  4. PLUMMER, D.J., & RAMACHANDRAN, V. S. (1991). Perceptual group- ing based on expansion/contraction and motion capture. Paper pre- sented at Conference on Neural Networks for Vision and Image Pro- cessing, Boston University.
  5. VAN ESSEN, D. C. (1979). Visual cortical areas. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 2, 227-263.

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Authors
Kleffner, D. A., & Ramachandran, V. S.
Affiliations
University of California San Diego (US)
Venue
Perception & Psychophysics
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
1992-01
Volume
52
Issue
1
Pages
18-36
ISSN
  • 0031-5117 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-5962
DOI
10.3758/bf03206757
OpenAlex
W2074353688
Cited by
335
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 13
FWCI
3.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Perception & Psychophysics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Office of Naval Research
  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design › Computer Graphics and Visualization Techniques
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
Keywords
shape from shading, 3D shape perception, perceptual grouping, pop-out, motion perception, retinal coordinates, head tilt, early visual processing
MeSH terms
Attention, Depth Perception, Discrimination Learning, Humans, Light, Optical Illusions, Orientation, Pattern Recognition, Visual

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