1. Digital Photography COLOR…. October 19, 2005
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2. Maple Leaves, Mud, Zion by Charles Cramer
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3. Primary Colors Primary Colors (Depends on application and environment)
YRB – (red, yellow, blue) – Pigment Colors
RGB (red, blue, green) – Additive Color
System says all perceivable hues can be created by mixing different amounts of red, green and blue light
CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) – Subtractive Color
System that says objects are seen because they reflect light from another illuminant source
Like color prints, but the spectral sensitivity of the medium (like paper) matters in how the color is perceived
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4. Primary Colors of Art Red Yellow Blue
Need additional pigments for mixing
Black
White
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5. Additive Color RGB Involves the use of colored lights
Starts with darkness (absence of color) and adds Red, Green, or Blue light together to produce other colors
All colors combine together to make white
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6. Subtractive Color CMY Involves colorants and reflected light
Uses Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow pigments or dyes to subtract portions of white light illuminating on object to produce other colors.
When combined in equal amounts, pure subtractive primary colors make black
Create color by subtracting or absorbing certain wavelengths of color while reflecting other wavelengths back to the viewer
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7. Color Theory
A lot of the theory about using color in photographs comes from the art world, so even though we use the RGB color system when taking pictures, and the CMYK color systems when printing pictures, we are going to talk about color theory using the YRB painters color system
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8. Colors (From reading homework)
First Order Colors: primary colors from painting
Yellow
Red
Blue
Second Order Colors:
Orange
Violet
Green
Other Secondary colors:
Blue, blue-violet, violet, red-violet, red, red-orange, orange, yellow-orange, yellow, yellow-green, green, blue-green
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9. First and Second Order Colors & the Visible Spectrum
ROYGBIV
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet
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10. Working with Color
Using definitions from “Colour Theory as Applied to Landscape Photography”
Complementary Colors
Two colors that are opposite on the color wheel
Red-Green
Orange-Blue
Yellow-Violet
Simultaneous contrast
When complementary colors appear together they
increase their intensity
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11. Complementary Examples (From Reading)
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12. Harmonizing Colors
Visualizing three points of isosceles triangle that sits in the middle of the circle
Two of the colors are one zone apart and the third is at the end of the triangle opposite
As a photographer, it is difficult to plan for harmonizing colors
But can be good to understand
Can make photo look “better”
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13. Harmonizing Example Blue-Green, red & orange picture from reading
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14. Color Relationships
Most of this content for the next 8 slides comes from About.com: Color Meanings and Colors That Go Together
(Conflicting definitions from reading)
Adjacent or harmonizing colors
Appear next to each other on the color wheel
Can work well together, but can also look washed out if there isn’t enough contrast
Complementary colors
Separated by another color on the color wheel
Can cause visual vibration if they are directly next to one another, but can be okay if separated by another color
Clashing or contrasting colors
Directly opposite each other on the color wheel
Can actually be good if the proportions of the colors are good – can provide great contrast and high visibility
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15. Meaning of Colors
Colors are non-verbal communication – they have symbolism & meanings
Some colors create a physical reaction (red raises blood pressure)
Some times there is a cultural reaction
Colors follow trends (avocado green was popular in the 60s-70s)
Colors of Calm
Cool colors have a calming effect
Can appear smaller than warm colors and will visually recede on the page
Blue, green, turquoise, gray, silver, white
Colors of Excitement
Warm colors that rev us up and get us going
Can overpower cooler colors
Red, pink, yellow, gold, orange, black, brown
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16. Meaning of Colors Colors of Intrigue Colors of Unity
Attributes of both warm and cool colors – calm & excite
Purple, lavender, green, turquoise, blue
Colors of Unity
Neutral colors can unify diverse color palettes – putting the focus back on other colors
Black, gray, white, ivory, brown, beige
The following slides look at the primary and secondary colors and some meanings typically associated with them
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17. RED The Nature of Red Using Red Red and other colors
Red is hot – conflicting emotions from passionate love to violence and warfare
Red is the hottest of the warm colors
Red is power, flashing red lights mean danger or emergency, in some cultures red denotes purity, joy, happiness, & celebration
Using Red
To grab attention and to get people to take action
Use red to make your subject stand out from the background
A little bit of red can go a long way
Multiple shades of red and even pink or orange can combine for a cheerful palette
Red and other colors
Green – a contrasting color, can bring out the intensity of red
Blues – provide contrast and tone down the heat of red
Light pinks and yellows harmonize with red
Purple and red can be overpowering
Your thoughts of red?
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18. Red
Snow Fence —Toronto, 1994
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19. ORANGE The Nature of Orange Using Orange Orange and other colors
Flamboyant, energetic, & vibrant – shares characteristics with red and yellow
Stimulating warm color – stimulates emotions & sometimes the appetite
Brings to mind autumn leaves, pumpkins, citrus, good health
Using Orange
A way to get noticed without screaming – orange demands attention
Use softer oranges for friendlier, more soothing images
Use orange to indicate transition – fall colors
Orange and other colors
Combine with red and yellow for a fiery combination
Tropical looks with green
High contrast with blues and purple
Your thoughts of orange?
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20. Orange
Warm Turnout, October, 2000
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21. YELLOW The Nature of Yellow Using Yellow Yellow and other colors
Sunshine, very bright color
Conflicting symbolism – happiness & joy but also cowardice and deceit
Warm color, high visibility; used in hazard or emergency signs; also a cheerful color
Using Yellow
Works well as a companion to other colors
Can create excitement
Yellow and other colors
Can perk up a more subdued color palette
High contrast with blues and purples
Your thoughts of yellow?
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22. Yellow
From Reading
Aspens #1, Route 168, October 1999
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23. GREEN The Nature of Green Using Green Green and other colors
Life, nature – growth, renewal, health & the environment
Restful color with calming effects
Using Green
Warming and cooling effect – balance, harmony & stability
Several shades of green for Spring feeling
Green and other colors
With blue – calming, nature feeling
With red or purple - high contrast
Your thoughts of green?
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24. Green
Evergreen Hillside, Quebec, 2000
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25. BLUE The Nature of Blue Using Blue Blue and other colors
Calm & cool
Strong & steadfast or light & friendly
Universal color
Using Blue
Can convey a sense of richness or coolness
Combine different shades of blue for sophisticated look with subtle contrast
Blue and other colors
With green – natural, watery palette
Contrast it with orange or yellow
Purple and red can be overpowering
Your thoughts of blue?
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26. Blue
Mirrored Lake —CA, 1996
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27. PURPLE/VIOLET The Nature of Purple Using Purple
Royalty & spirituality
Mysterious color – both warm and cool properties
Using Purple
Deep or dark purples – riches
Lighter purples – romantic and delicate
Can add warm or cooler feeling, depending on shade of purple
Purple and other colors
Contrasts with yellow, orange
Can be striking with greens
Purple and red can be overpowering
Your thoughts of purple/violet?
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28. Purple/Violet Blue Ridge Sunrise, October, 2000
violets.html
Blue Ridge Sunrise, October, 2000
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29. Color Homework
Take 5-10 pictures in a “mini-portfolio” focusing on a single color (ROYGBIV)
Be prepared to show your favorite 2-3 of them and describe how the color sets the mood/emotion of the picture
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