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Photography Lesson: Color Theory

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color theory

Today, we will focus on color. I want you to notice how colors interact with each other. Once you learn to see color, it can transform the quality of your photos! Let’s examine five ways to explore color.

Primary

colors that can not be mixed from other colors.

Examples: Red, yellow, blue

The children are wearing yellow and blue.

portrait of kids laughing while sitting on wall

Complementary

Opposites on the color wheel.

Examples: yellow and purple, orange and blue, red and green

The mauve tones of the dress pop with the calm green door in the background. The orange/brown fall leaves complement the blue scarf and sweater.

 

portrait of high school senior girl wearing a pink dress in front of a green wall
mother holding son for a portrait in the fall

Secondary

A mix of two primary colors.

Examples: green, orange, purple

Do you see the secondary colors in the glasses of juice? Do you notice the shades of orange in the basket with greens along the building?

personal branding portrait of health coach reaching for juice
bike with wicker basket on mackinaw island, MI

Analogous

Neighbors on the color wheel.

Examples: blue and green, blue and purple, yellow and green, yellow and orange, red and orange, red and purple

Do you see the green in the car and leaves and the blue of his clothes? Notice the orange and yellows in the building and roof?

young boy surfing on the roof of Toyota 4 runner
open window in Prague

Monochromatic

A color mixed with white and black  – tints and shades.

The blue in the sky and and water dominate this image. 

Sailboat near Portland, Maine

There are also three components to color to consider: hue, value, and saturation. You can use these variables to create balance and harmony in your photographs. 

Hue: what you traditionally think of when you think of the word “color.”

Value: the lightness or darkness of the color

Saturation: the intensity of color

Questions and next steps

Send your questions in the comment section below. I love photography and am happy to help others on their journey. The next lesson will be on learning how to compose. Stay tuned. 🙂 

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Laura

Hi, I'm Laura Mares! I'm thankful to be a wife, mother and Pittsburgh lifestyle photographer. I photograph because I believe that life is simply beautiful and every person has a story worth telling. I'd love to tell yours.

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