diff --git a/src/basics.cc b/src/basics.cc
index b0c21da..7f8b114 100644
--- a/src/basics.cc
+++ b/src/basics.cc
@@ -279,12 +279,22 @@ Color::Color()
 { }
 
 
+/*
+ * Color::Color --
+ *
+ * Constructor. Create a new Color with the given RGB components. Alpha is 1.0.
+ */
+Color::Color(const float &r, const float &g, const float &b)
+    : Color(r, g, b, 1.0)
+{ }
+
+
 /*
  * Color::Color --
  *
  * Constructor. Create a new Color with the given components.
  */
-Color::Color(float r, float g, float b, float a)
+Color::Color(const float &r, const float &g, const float &b, const float &a)
     : red(r), green(g), blue(b), alpha(a)
 { }
 
diff --git a/src/basics.h b/src/basics.h
index c960281..38bdbeb 100644
--- a/src/basics.h
+++ b/src/basics.h
@@ -58,7 +58,8 @@ struct Ray
 struct Color
 {
     Color();
-    Color(float r, float g, float b, float a);
+    Color(const float &r, const float &g, const float &b);
+    Color(const float &r, const float &g, const float &b, const float &a);
 
     Color &operator*=(const float &rhs);
     Color &operator/=(const float &rhs);