Black is the complete absence of light and color. It has no hue. Black objects absorb all wavelengths of light, and thus reflect very little back. Light absorbed by black is converted to heat, which is why dark clothing is hotter than white clothes in the summer sun.

Black

Black has many uses, particularly in cameras. Its light absorbing properties prevent light from reflecting and scattering inside the lens and camera body which could cause fuzzy, indistinct pictures. Its chromatic neutrality enhances color perception of other objects when used as a background, though it may make the object appear brighter than normal.

Most "black" objects still reflect some light. Experiments have been conducted where a person looks through two small holes, one with a black object illuminated by sunlight, the other a white piece of paper in normal indoor lighting. Because the person cannot see the context each of these objects is in they cannot take the lighting conditions into account. Subjects reported the black object was brighter than the white one. Even though the black object reflected a very small portion of the light hitting it, the lightsource was so intense that the reflection was brighter than the indoor lighting on the highly reflective white object. Creating a 100% black substance is impossible, however applying a matte finish can help reduce the amount of reflected light that is perceived.

Psychologically, black conveys authority, power, reliability, constancy, wisdom and prudence. Conversely, it also signifies submission, sadness, mourning, disease, death, and evil. Black clothes make the wearer look slimmer, and it has a timeless style. Black's lack of chroma makes it go with virtually any color, although matching black and navy blue is often seen by some as a fashion crime.