Systems and methods for illuminant estimation

A method for estimating an image illuminant, the method comprising:

• forming a matrix of monomial basis functions in the color coordinates of each of a plurality of candidate illuminants;
• analyzing an image in relation to said plurality of candidate illuminants to determine a plurality of match scores for said plurality of candidate illuminants;
• fitting a surface to said plurality of match scores, said surface representing illuminant values other than said candidate illuminants;
• and
• determining a point on said surface, said point corresponding to the data representing a likely illuminant for said image.