UNDERSTAND COLOUR THEORY
Photography week|October 22, 2020
Adam Waring takes you back to art class with a primer in colour theory
Adam Waring
UNDERSTAND COLOUR THEORY

Colour is one of the most important ingredients of photo composition, and while it’s often forgotten about until the editing stage, colour can be used in portraits, landscapes and still-life shots to add depth, create mood, or draw the viewer’s eye to a certain part of the frame, so it’s important to understand the basics of colour theory when you’re shooting too.

You may recall from art class in your school days that the primary colours are red, yellow and blue, and that by mixing these colours in varying proportions you can create all other possible colours. If we arrange our primary colours equally spaced around a circle, and add the in-between shades by mixing neighbouring colours in varying quantities, we can produce a colour wheel (see the next page). We can then select colours based on their proximity to one another on the wheel. A pair of complementary colours sit opposite each other on the wheel – so for our pink flower, the complementary shade is green. Because these two colours contrast with each other, images that are dominated by them are usually bolder and more dynamic.

Analogous colours, on the other hand, are those that sit next to one another on the wheel, such as yellow and orange or blue and purple. Combining these colours can create a sense of balance and calm in an image.

この記事は Photography week の October 22, 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Photography week の October 22, 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKのその他の記事すべて表示
CALIBRATE YOUR COLOURS
Photography week

CALIBRATE YOUR COLOURS

James Paterson reveals how he captures stunningly colourful sunsets by using this secret weapon

time-read
1 min  |
September 26, 2024
ABSTRACT PORTRAITS
Photography week

ABSTRACT PORTRAITS

Mike Harris shows you how to use slow shutter speeds and multiple exposures to capture a series of motion-blur portraits

time-read
3 分  |
September 26, 2024
BREATHTAKNG IMAGES FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE WAVES
Photography week

BREATHTAKNG IMAGES FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE WAVES

A final hit of inspiraton: Ocean Photographer of the Year reveals stunning winning photos

time-read
1 min  |
September 26, 2024
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AUTUMN
Photography week

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AUTUMN

James Abbott reveals the secrets to capturing amazing images during the most eye-catching season of the year

time-read
2 分  |
September 26, 2024
CANON UNVEILS NEW PORTABLE, FULLY-WIRELESS PHOTO PRINTER
Photography week

CANON UNVEILS NEW PORTABLE, FULLY-WIRELESS PHOTO PRINTER

The Selphy QX20 is ideal for quickly printing your smartphone snaps on the go

time-read
1 min  |
September 26, 2024
FUJINON GF120MM F4 MACRO R LM OIS WR
Photography week

FUJINON GF120MM F4 MACRO R LM OIS WR

This powerful medium-format lens is ideally suited to extreme close-ups

time-read
4 分  |
September 12, 2024
HOW TO...CLEAN UP A SCENE WITH AI
Photography week

HOW TO...CLEAN UP A SCENE WITH AI

James Paterson shows you how the AI-powered Remove Tool can revolutionise your retouching

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
SHOOT AN '80S PORTRAIT
Photography week

SHOOT AN '80S PORTRAIT

Jason Parnell-Brookes recreates the neon look of the 1980s using torches and hollow acrylic rods

time-read
4 分  |
September 12, 2024
THE BEST MONOCHROME IMAGE OF 2024 IS A REAL CRACKER
Photography week

THE BEST MONOCHROME IMAGE OF 2024 IS A REAL CRACKER

Black and White Photo Awards announces stunning selection of winning images

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
88 TIPS FOR GREAT BABY PHOTOS
Photography week

88 TIPS FOR GREAT BABY PHOTOS

From lighting to posing and pacifying, here's how you get the perfect shot

time-read
10+ 分  |
September 12, 2024