The Use of Colour
The Use of Colour
Emotion
Colour is
used to create an atmosphere as it makes us feel and change our mood. For
example, cool tones are calming and relaxing where as warm tones makes us
anxious and alert. A strong colour palette will enhance the story your
photograph is telling, for example a haunted corridor would be cool tones or
even monochromatic.
- Red – energy, excitement, passion, anger.
- Orange – warmth, happiness, enthusiasm.
- Yellow – cheerfulness, friendliness, creativity.
- Green – calm, natural, balance, growth.
- Blue – serenity, cold, sadness, trust.
- Purple – spirituality, mystery, luxury.
- Magenta – innovation, transformation, non-conformity.
Make the Photograph about Colour
Colour can be used to make something stand out and draw our
attention to it. Colour could be photographed in an unexpected location for
visual interest. Looking at colour at night is interesting because all the
light is artificial and will affect the depth, composition, perspective and
possibly the quality of the image.
Time and
Weather
During sunrise or sunset is when light is softest and
indirect which accentuates the colours. At this time, the colours work
cohesively. High clouds and winds act like a giant soft box for the subject of
your photograph. Heavy fog will give a monochromatic colour palette and sunny
weather will make the colours glare.
Monochromatic,
Pastels and Split Toning
Monochromatic colour palettes allow the different tones and
shades of a single hue to highlight the photograph and focus on the information
within it. Pastels soften an image and make it more natural as pure black and
white cannot be seen in nature, it is just our brains making order of things.
Monochromatic photos have colour added in post-production called split toning,
but too much contrast will add harshness to the colour.
Composition
Your
can use composition to help with colour by using leading lines, repeating
patterns and the rule of thirds to draw the viewers attention to the colours.
By using a simple composition with lots of negative space, the colour can be
emphasised and celebrated, the subject can be simple too.
