Welcome to your 5th lesson!!!
This lesson is an extremely important photography lesson. As art photographers you’ll need to put careful thought into what colors are going to make it into the four walls of your photograph. Painters spend a lot of time conceptualizing and thinking about what colors are going to make it onto their canvas. Painters spend a lot of time working with colors, they understand color psychology and they understand with great intimacy the process of mixing, blending and color coordination.
Photographers on the other hand spend very little time learning about color theory. Despite the fact that color and color theory is just as important to photography as it is to painting. Photographers who understand how to properly incorporate color into their photographs are rare. Understanding color theory alone can set you apart from the masses of amateurs with their new digital cameras by helping your work look unique, well organized, and visually impressive.
As viewers of artwork, we often form a judgment about a piece within a few short seconds. Something about a photograph may “catch our eye” or we simply look at it and think it looks “right” or “nice”. However, we often can’t articulate what we like about a photograph. As amateur photography critics we often just say “I like it” or “I don’t like it”. However, there is something much more complex going on here. As a photographer, it’s your aim to understand what information the viewer is processing in order to come to the “I like it” observation.
How Colors Stimulate the “I like it” Feeling
As photographers we know that there are certain things that are pleasing to the human eye. As photographers we need to study what photographic elements the audience appreciates. One of the most important photographic elements is color organization. You will learn much more about this phenomenon in your next lesson on photography composition. For now, we’ll focus on how color gives viewers of art the “I like it” feeling. Many great photographs organize color in such a way that makes it easy for the human eye to look at the picture and enjoy the details. Before we go any further we need to learn the basics of color theory.
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colors
There are three primary colors – red, yellow and blue. Combinations of these three colors produce three secondary colors: purple (red and blue), green (blue and yellow) and orange (yellow and red). Further mixing of these colors can produce a whole range of tertiary colors from which to compose your photographs. Usually, these colors are arranged in what is known as a color wheel which can be seen below.
Complementary Colors
To get complementary colors that accent each other and make your photographs more appealing, all you have to do is study the color wheel and choose colors opposite from one another. For example, red purple is the compliment of yellow green, and orange red is the compliment of blue green.
Here is an example of a complementary color photograph. Notice how the two dominant colors of this photography are orange and blue. Notice how these two colors are located opposite of each other on the color wheel. When complementary colors are used together like this in a photograph they create contrast. Often using complementary colors in your photography will create a dramatic image since each color makes the other color appear more active and vibrant. Looking at complementary colors evokes a much different response than analogous colors (discussed below).
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are located next to each other on the color wheel. Orange and yellow, for instance, is an example of two analogous colors. Another example would be blue and purple. Choosing colors next to one another on the color wheel can give your photographs flow, harmony and an easy to understand color theme. Unlike complementary colors which create a high contrast and dramatic effect, analogous colors create a more soothing and flowing look to your photographs.
Here is an example of a photograph which uses analogous colors as its main color theme.
Notice how the colors in this photograph relate to each other more. This creates less contrast and a more fluid photograph.
There is no “right” color theme to use in photography. However, it is important to know your different options so you can actively seek out the desired photographic effect. If you are trying to create a visually dramatic photograph it might be worth spending the extra time searching for the complementary colors (opposite to each other in the color wheel) in your surroundings to help you create the dramatic look you are shooting for.
Color Tints and Shades
Colors can vary in tone or hue. Hue is the difference in colors themselves (green versus blue), while tone is the degree of color (dark to light).
There are also the monochromatic colors of white and black. White and black can decrease or increase the shade, or richness of color that you choose. In other words, adding white makes colors lighter and adding black makes colors darker. Making colors lighter with white is known as creating variations in tint, while making colors darker with black is known as creating different shades. You can add white or black to a photograph through atmospheric elements such as light, mist and shadows.
Monochromatic Photographs
Monochromatic implies one color. By picking different shades and tints of the same color, you can highlight different areas of your photographs. For example the following photograph is one which uses varying shades of orange and red to create a monochromatic photograph.
Color Simplicity
While monochromatic photographs are the most color simplistic (often just using varying shades and tints of one color), there are other photographs which take great care to limit the range of colors that make it into the four walls of a photograph.
In our experience we find that beginner photographers not only try to fit too much within each of their photographs, they also try to fit too many colors in each of their photographs. The results are often disappointing from both the photographer’s standpoint and the audience’s. The human eye doesn’t want to work too hard when looking at a photograph. By limiting information and colors you can effectively simplify your photograph and make it more appealing to look at. Notice how the lack of color clutter in the following photograph creates a dramatic yet simple and visually appealing photograph. This photograph isn’t monochromatic as it uses black, shades of yellow and orange and shades of green to compose the picture, but it still has much more color organization than most amateur photographs as it only lets in three big color ranges (orange, green and black).
Color simplicity is one of the major elements that separates great photography from good photography. By organizing your colors more carefully you can step out of the world of amateur photography and display your photographs on a much more professional level.
Many photographers don’t know exactly what it is they don’t like about their photographs when they get them developed or look at them on their computer screen. Well the good news is that often the “it” is the fact that the photograph is too busy with such a broad array of colors that it becomes distracting and annoying for the eye to look at.
Remember, painters place a lot of time on the concepts of color balance and color simplicity. Just because you are using a camera it doesn’t mean you should ignore these subjects. By paying close attention to colors in your photographs you can create more appealing, more harmonious photographs that look good both to you and to your viewers.
Muting color
Throughout this course you’ll find us repeating the old adage that “less is often more”. We have stated in past lessons that limiting the elements which make it into the four walls of your photograph is often desired. This can often be achieved by limiting the amount of “things” in your photograph. We have also stated that limiting colors is a great way to add simplicity to your photography. A picture filled with varied and confusing colors and tones is often much more difficult to look at then one that is well organized and limited in terms of objects and colors used.
What we want to discuss with you now is how muted colors can add a great dramatic effect to your photography. Muted colors can help convey many different moods from mysteriousness and sexy to dreamy and surreal.
Hazy lighting, rain or mist are all natural atmospheric conditions that can naturally help mute the colors in your photograph. However, these natural muting conditions are not easy to come by. Therefore you might want to consider getting a clear plastic diffuser for your camera lens. Diffusers can be purchased in a variety of strengths but all have the same ability to spread light.
You can also mute colors by slightly overexposing your photographs. Overexposing can help you give the photograph a bleached out look which will help further mute the colors.
Color psychology
Within each of your photographs you will actively seek the colors you want to include, just as a painter would do for a canvas. Now that you know to limit the color spectrum and simplify the photograph you also need to be aware of the psychological effects of each color which makes it into your photograph. Movie Directors and Directors of Photography (DOP) are well aware of the effects of colors and they create movie sets to take advantage of this. Picture a dark movie scene at night and think about the feelings that come to mind. Now think of a bright red room. The psychological effects are totally different. Below we discuss each color as it relates to color theory.
Black
Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil.
White
Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.
Red
The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention. The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.
Blue
The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It creates the opposite reaction of red. Peaceful and tranquil, blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals. Consequently, it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.
Green
Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in “green rooms” to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth.
Yellow
Cheerful, sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.
Purple
The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.
Brown
Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Light brown implies genuineness. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.
Creating Balance or Highlights
Now that you know more about how to use colors from a simplification standpoint and a psychological standpoint, we’re now going to discuss using color to create balance and highlights. The process of creating color symmetry or highlights within a photograph is a great way to add an interesting color element to your photograph. As mentioned earlier, colors such as red, orange and yellow are considered warm colors whereas purples and blues would be considered cool colors. Therefore if you are trying to create a feeling of coolness in your photography you should seek out areas that have a substantial blue influence. However, it is also important to note that a photograph which uses 50% warm colors and 50% cool colors will seem neither cold nor warm. The opposing forces will balance each other out and the photograph will appear neutral. However, if you had a photograph and it was 90% cool and 10% warm it would be called creating a cool photograph with warm highlights. Often viewers find these pictures with added cool or warm ‘highlights’ very appealing to the eye.
The following photograph is great because it limits the number of colors in the photograph to a handful with only two colors making up the majority of the shot (orange and blue). Because of the color simplicity of this picture, it’s very easy for the human eye to look at. However, notice that the warm colors take up about 50% of the space and the cool colors take up the other 50% of the space. The result is that the picture looks neither cool nor warm.
Now let’s look at another example using a photograph which used predominantly cool colors with a smaller percentage of warm colors creating what we now know is a highlighted look.
Notice that in the last photograph the sky is blue, the ocean is blue and the city itself is accented with dark blue colors. This creates an overall cool feeling since about 80% of the picture is composed of various shades of blue. The warm colors act as the ‘highlight’ and can be found in the yellows on the beach and the oranges on the street. The photograph above is a great example of how to use color highlighting properly.
Here is a video on Color Theory In Photography: