Using Colour in Photography

Where it began:

I was the girl who wore red and pink together for years when everyone told me ‘it clashed’! I wore pink socks with red shoes, red sweaters with pink skirts…if I had red and pink in my wardrobe I’d be wearing it together!

Perhaps this fascination with pushing colour boundaries as a child (at the time when reds and pink clash – or do they still? – just like blue and green should never be seen – although some say unless another colour in between??) and colour theories was a start to my artistic venture and love for colour in design, art and photography. I do know that colour  set moods and emotions, it has power and can extend communication of an image further than you could imagine.

Consider this:

If one who obeys the ‘rules’ but never pushes them will rarely create a piece of divine work, then one must utilize the lessons and rules but unite these with creative imagination to produce their own stamp of individuality. Essentially…learn the rules with the sole notion to break the rules!

So is colour something considered when you seek a composition in photography? What do you know about colour and the theory to enhance, balance and strengthen an image?

As a painter, you would most definitely need to consider colour and understand their relation to one another because in order to create a painting, you are required to blend them to create new ones and apply theory regarding use of  primary, secondary, tertiary, complimentary amd harmonizing colours and of course the affect of intensity to colour.

Without babbling too much, as there are many places you can find further in depth information on theory of colour, I just want to express my personal thoughts to inspire others with the rules, lessons and experiences I have encountered as well as adding my individual artistic ability on how you can apply the simplest of ideas to your own photographic work.

To the point:

Essentially what we need to do to use colour effectively is to ‘look’ (well this is a good start of course) for interesting colour combinations.

Such combinations will be colours that compliment each other i.e. when you look at a common colour wheel complimentary colours are those that sit opposite such as purple and yellow or green and red (the colours of Christmas – perhaps even this is a marketing ploy…as I said, colours are powerful and when used with a good understanding can draw attention and emotion).

Another level from just understanding how colours behave, relate and their effect to the human eye, is that it can also create perspective in an image. Utilizing warm colours such as colour cast by a setting sun in a foreground will draw attention to and bring forward an image, whilst cooler colours such as a blue sky or water will fade out and move back such attention creating therefore…a beautiful three-dimensional flattering and empowering image with enhanced perspective!

An Example:

Notice the blue colours of the sky and water at the top and around the edges complimenting one another with the warmth of the sand and cliff faces in the foreground,  deepening perspective drawing your eye in and around the total image? Also note the intensity of the colours which are almost pastel and very light overall. The cool colours create a feeling of calm and relaxation. The warm colours promote comfort and passionate emotions. The overall ‘lightness’ created by the magical time of day at dusk,  create a feeling of openness and pastel colours evoke innocance and romance…

Put it all together and I see a mood lifting image connected with fond memories,tranquility and contentedness.

Moment of thought:

There is a vast array of lessons to be learnt in the art world and I’ve seen, heard and experienced many different areas of art, which I guess helps me today (which can help you now) as I can use all that I’ve learnt from art, design, illustrating and photography as well fields such as marketing and advertising. But likewise you may have experience from a variety of other sources that you can apply your own theories of colour. Think it over; what do you know about colour and how can you maximize your images and empower them My point I guess is that colour and it’s harmonious uses are all around us in every day living. Flowers, trees our natural environment makes great use of colour as I’ve mentioned before and this if nothing else, is something for you to look further at and understand how you can use colour better in your photography.

Be inspired and remember…

Art is acquired through lessons (of life?) and ripened through experience…

Lola