Computer-implemented methods for detecting objects within digital image data based on color transitions include: receiving or capturing a digital image depicting an object; sampling color information from a first plurality of pixels of the digital image; optionally sampling color information from a second plurality of pixels of the digital image; generating or receiving a representative background color profile based on the color information sampled from the first plurality of pixels; generating or receiving a representative foreground color profile based on the color information sampled from the second plurality of pixels and/or the first plurality of pixels; assigning each pixel a label; binarizing the digital image based on the labels; detecting contour(s) within the binarized digital image; and defining edge(s) of the object based on the detected contour(s). Corresponding systems and computer program products configured to perform the inventive methods are also described.