Image Search: Colors and Patterns
August 30, 2016
When I search for an image, I often look for an individual. I have noticed over the years that the automatic search function for Google Images delivers facial matches (sometimes) and colors and patterns. Here’s an example.
This image comes from my snaps of a recent trip to a far off place far from Harrod’s Creek, Kentucky.
When I plug the image into Google’s automatic image search, the system returns images like these:
To my untrained eye, it certainly appears that Google’s image search has returned images which evidence the colors and patterns of the original. Sure, none of these is a juice bar, but if I were looking for a similar image, it strikes me that the Google does the job.
Apparently not. 500px sees the world from its unique perspective. I like the word “unique.”
I read “500px Launches Way to Search for Photos by Colors or Designs.” Another image search system is a net gain. I learned from the write up:
500px has created a new way to discover photos, based not on textual descriptions but on swatches and colors. The company today launched Splash, a search engine that lets you simply select a color or design to begin filtering photos that match your mood.
I highlighted this passage:
“This is a way of searching images that has never been done before,” explained 500px head of product Kelly Thompson.
If I understand the system, I can draw a sketch and 500px technology will figure out what matches my drawing. Problem: I cannot draw. I can scan. I can trace. If I rely of these methods, Google can “match” my uploaded image.
Oh, the unique 500px search allows you, gentle reader, to purchase the image the system presents.
Poor Google, left behind again from some entrepreneurs’ point of view. For me, I am okay with the Google Images’ approach.
Stephen E Arnold, August 30, 2016
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