Relationships between Reflection Properties and Visual Attractiveness of Fiddleback Figures

Evaluation with eye tracking and image analysis

Abstract

Wood has unique reflection properties originating in its anatomical structure. Gloss transition is a typical one of such properties, which appears by changes in the optical geometry of the timber surface, the lighting source, and the observer. Wavy grain or curly grain easily tend to show the gloss transition, and this special appearance directly affects the aesthetic value of various wood products and craftworks. Thus, curly maple has been used as backboards of the violin with fiddleback figures. To elucidate the relationship between the appearance and the attractiveness of the fiddleback figures, image characteristics related to the gloss transition were calculated regarding 10 violin backs, and psychological response and eye movements of observers viewing videos of the gloss transition were measured. Results were summarized as follows: 1) Contrast spectra derived by the image analysis demonstrate the gloss transition effectively. 2) Subjects' eyes follow the gloss transition, although distribution patterns of eye fixations are different for each fiddleback figure. 3) The fiddleback figures of higher contrast tend to evoke a more “Varied” impression on observers.