A novel quaternion color representation tool is proposed to the images and videos efficiently. In this work, we consider a full model for representation and processing color images in the quaternion algebra. Color images are presented in the threefold complex plane where each color component is described by a complex image. Our preliminary experimental results show significant performance improvements of the proposed approach over other well-known color image processing techniques. Moreover, we have shown how a particular image enhancement of the framework leads to excellent color enhancement (better than other algorithms tested). In the framework of the proposed model, many other color processing algorithms, including filtration and restoration, can be expressed.