A typical LCD display contains hundreds of thousands of individual picture elements, called pixels. Each pixel has three sub-pixels with red, green, and blue color filters.
Each pixel in an LCD display contains a suspension of liquid crystals. The individual liquid crystals are naturally twisted and randomly within the pixel, which allows light to pass through -- until an electric current is applied. Then the liquid crystals untwist and align in the direction of the electric field, which changes the angle of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer.
The brightness of each pixel is controlled by varying the voltage applied. The resulting pattern of bright and dark pixels creates the overall picture shown on the LCD display.
Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics. 
