Primary Colors (Red, Yellow, Blue)
In traditional color theory (used in paint and pigments), primary colors are the 3 pigment colors that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3 hues. They are also considered a triadic harmony, which creates a high color contrast while still maintaining color harmony.
Secondary Colors (Orange, Green, Violet)
Secondary colors are created from mixing primary colors. They are also considered a triadic harmony, which creates a high color contrast while still maintaining color harmony.
Red + Yellow = Orange - Yellow + Blue = Green - Blue + Red = Violet (Purple)
Warm Colors (Red, Orange, Yellow)
Warm colors — such as red, yellow, and orange; evoke warmth because they remind us of things like the sun or fire.
Cool Colors (Green, Blue, Violet)
Cool colors — such as blue, green, and purple (violet); evoke a cool feeling because they remind us of things like water or grass.
Complementary Colors (Opposite Colors on the Wheel)
Complementary colors are pairs of colors which, when combined or mixed, cancel each other out by producing a grayscale color like white or black. When placed next to each other, they create the strongest contrast for those two colors.
Monochromatic Colors (Tints, Shades & Tones)
Monochromatic color schemes are derived from a single base hue and extended using its shades, tones and tints. Tints are achieved by adding white and shades and tones are achieved by adding black, and tones are achieved by adding grey.
Neutrals (Black, White, Brown)
Neutrals are not technically colors, as they are not on the color spectrum. Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black. Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility. Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful.
Analogous Colors (Adjacent on the Wheel)
Analogous color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs. Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Accent Color (Pop of Color for Emphasis)
A pop of color is effective when the rest of the image is neutral or monochromatic. It allows that color to stand out from the rest of the image, creating emphasis, a visual excitement, or a "pop" of color.
Experiment with COLOR!
Assignment:
- Take 50 photos using color schemes as your inspiration.
- Choose your best 6 compositions, edit and submit to flickr in an album called "Color."
Credits:
Created with images by Daniel Monteiro - "Ferris Wheel" • Marra Sherrier - "untitled image" • Melody Jacob - "untitled image" • Craig Whitehead - "untitled image" • Reinaldo Kevin - "Colorful" • 6113184 - "carrots veg vegetables" • Richard Loader - "Purple allium in bloom" • PublicDomainPictures - "orange tulips flower" • Hans - "marigold flowers orange" • By_Jo - "butterfly flower blossom" • Davies_Designs - "sunset crape myrtle crape" • lukasbieri - "sunset fur hat evening light" • Aurélien Lemasson-Théobald - "Spring in February" • jane_botova - "fall autumn nature" • Joshua Earle - "Enjoying the campfire." • Lopez_Grande - "autumn reflection projection" • JanBaby - "flower blossom bloom" • 422737 - "vegetable soup soup spoon" • Samuel C. - "untitled image" • Einladung_zum_Essen - "soup carrot ginger" • Giorgio Encinas - "Ariane N." • Samueles - "market fruit oranges" • lukasbieri - "silhouettes epic sky switzerland" • Kira auf der Heide - "untitled image" • Foula3 - "sea blue water" • qimono - "graffiti artist graffiti art" • Deedee86 - "drop splash wet" • Court Prather - "untitled image" • toodlingstudio - "pool blue swimming" • Madison Rios - "untitled image" • globenwein - "fashion portrait a" • Christian Sterk - "Tears of emotion" • cocoparisienne - "ladybug insect nature" • petrafaltermaier - "flowers yellow garden" • Final_Dynasty - "rose hip wild rose red" • Joshua Fuller - "untitled image" • stux - "colored pencil complementary red" • stux - "colored pencil complementary orange" • Cody Davis - "Blorange" • Andrew Ponochovnyi - "Colorful skies above the beach" • Erwan Hesry - "Colorful shipping containers" • Robin Spielmann - "clean lines" • Hunter Newton - "Coffee Break" • elljay - "cattails cattail reeds" • Erol Ahmed - "Row Houses in Washington D.C." • Thomas Young - "Agra Fort" • Marina Lala - "Cafe in Osaka" • Pavel Kosov - "untitled image" • Kelly Sikkema - "untitled image" • Evie Shaffer - "Winter Arrangement" • Natasha Kasim - "untitled image" • BRUNO CERVERA - "untitled image" • Sharon McCutcheon - "California Poppy" • BarbaraALane - "food donuts milk" • Stephanie Harvey - "Kaya Cactus" • Crystalahuff - "leaf autumn fall" • Jordan Whitfield - "Instagram: @Jord.in" • Florian Klauer - "untitled image" • Curtis Potvin - "Twotakes2" • Rene Böhmer - "prague" • Kelli Tungay - "Summer" • Marius Muresan - "untitled image" • Sharon Pittaway - "untitled image" • Jessica Ruscello - "untitled image" • Henry Lorenzatto - "Stunning colorful flower bed" • Rodion Kutsaev - "Yellow wall" • Andrew Pons - "untitled image" • Engin_Akyurt - "umbrella landscape red" • Alexas_Fotos - "crystal ball-photography ball lights" • Angel Jimenez - "Abduction Plan" • Vincent Giersch - "untitled image" • Kelli Tungay - "Back to School" • Vasundhara Srinivas - "Fest" • Joanna Kosinska - "untitled image" • Engin_Akyurt - "pen color macro" • Ahmed Syed - "Monologues (2)" • Laura Clugston - "Hot air balloon on blue sky" • Gábor Juhász - "tulip-bouquet-vienna" • PublicDomainPictures - "mums chrysanthemums color" • cocoparisienne - "hoverfly bee macro" • Madison Kaminski - "Christmas Lights" • Krzysztof Niewolny - "Rusałka pawik i kwiaty w ogrodzie" • Patrick Fore - "Bowl of Jelly Beans" • James Wainscoat - "Jewel bugs"