A dual band color filter includes a periodic arrangement of metallic dots in a middle transparent medium, having an index of refraction, interposed between a first and a second transparent medium, each having an index of refraction greater than the middle transparent medium index of refraction. The filter accepts visible spectrum light. In response to the periodic arrangement of metallic dots, a surface plasmon mode is generated. In response to a diameter common to all the metallic dots, a local mode is generated, and in response to the combination of the middle, first, and second transparent medium indices of refraction, a waveguide mode is generated. As a result, two distinct wavelength bands of visible spectrum light are transmitted through the bottom surface of the dual band color filter, while attenuating one wavelength band of visible spectrum light.