Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Which term refers to the maximum range of colors a device can display?

1. Color space

2. Gamut

3. Color depth

4. Color balance

The correct answer is: Gamut

The term that refers to the maximum range of colors a device can display is "gamut." Gamut describes the subset of colors that can be accurately represented by a particular device, such as a monitor, printer, or camera. Understanding the gamut of a device is crucial for photographers and designers, as it determines the range of colors available for the final output and affects how images are perceived. While other terms are related to color, they have different specific meanings. "Color space" refers to a specific organization of colors, often associated with a standard or model in which the color gamut is defined. "Color depth" describes the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel, which effects how many colors can be displayed but does not directly refer to the range of colors itself. "Color balance" pertains to the adjustment of the intensities of the primary colors to achieve a neutral image or to emphasize certain hues. Thus, "gamut" is the most accurate term associated with the maximum range of colors capable of being displayed by a device.