The Southampton Press, August 4, 2005

Make a Statement by Choosing Color

By Cheryl Machat Dorskind

You can spend a lifetime studying color: ranging from the technical to the sublime, there is so much information on the subject.

Color can create a sense of time, place, and emotion. It can be the subject itself. Colors, whether loud or quiet, tell a story. Most successful professional color photographs, while seemingly happenstance, are carefully orchestrated using color theory and drawing on the psychological properties of different colors.

Glorious Color: The colors in the photograph help create a bold and delightful statement. The aquamarine water and green grass, both analogous colors, balance the towel which is accented by all three primary colors (yellow, red, and blue). The color combinations lead the viewer to Scott's adorable face.

This week's article surveys color theory and color psychology and provides tips on how to use this information to create better pictures.

The foundation of color theory is the color wheel, comprising twelve colors, three of which are primary colors-red, yellow, and blue (primary colors cannot be produced from any other colors). The color wheel has complementary and analogous colors.

Complimentary colors are colors that are opposite on the color wheel: when these are juxtaposed they create real impact. Applying this to wardrobe, location, and background greatly enhances your photography.
For example, knowing that red is the compliment of green; the photographer might suggest a red shirt for a young boy and photograph him in a backyard with green trees. Other complimentary pairs are orange and blue: a child in the blue water of a swimming pool playing with orange swim toys creates a vivid image. A young lady in a violet dress among a field of yellow sunflowers highlights the subject with striking appeal, as violet is the complement of yellow.

Analogous colors, those near each other on the color wheel, create softer images and are appropriate for babies and light airy natural environments, such as the beach. Examples of analogous colors are yellow and brown, green and blue, red and orange, green and yellow. Consider using pastel colors on babies and soft colors like khaki or light denim at the beach.

Color can have psychological and emotional effects on the viewer. Of the primary colors, red, often seen as an emotional color, is associated with excitement. Red sunsets are romantic and powerful. Yellow, the lightest of colors, is often considered cheerful. Blue conveys spiritual, peaceful, and/or stately qualities. For some, blue, especially navy, represents elegance and maturity.

Among the secondary colors, purple (and violet) symbolize royal sovereignty and dignity and convey a sense of mystery and/or magic. Orange is similar to yellow in its associations. Gold represents wealth and power. White is heavenly, angelic, hopeful and peaceful. Green connotes fertility. Emphasize the statement of your photographs by choosing the right color.

What message do you want the photograph to convey? After you decide, choose the right colors. Dress your subjects accordingly and strategically select backgrounds that enhance your color palette. For dramatic statements work with complimentary colors, and for softer looks, select analogous colors. A navy sport jacket elicits a different message than a gray one. A pink dress speaks differently than a green one. Think about what you are trying to say and select the appropriate wardrobe and location.

Colors are described as warm or cool. Yellow, orange, and red are commonly described as warm-those related to sunlight, fire, anger and even body warmth. Cool colors -
green, blue, and violets-are associated with shadow, water, winter and ice. Warm colors tend to move forward and cool colors recede. Color temperatures affect the mood and tone of a picture, following the principles mentioned in color theory and color psychology.

Digital photography has enhanced our appetite for glorious color, by showing us hues that are vivid, vibrant and ultra saturated, but we need to be careful. With digital editing software, color saturation is easy and, perhaps, a little overused. Before you pump the saturation, think about the intended message of the picture. Ask yourself: Is the photograph about color, or are you using color to lead the viewer's eyes to your subject? Don't overdo it. Too much chocolate triggers a migraine.

While it is said that black-&-white photographs are more artful-or timeless-the power of a strong image jostles the senses; color has the power to WOW the viewer while black-&-white pictures tend to be more subtle. A black and white photograph offers a stripped down version of reality. With no color distractions, a black and white portrait immediately draws attention to the subject. Quality black and white photographs sneak into your subconscious and can leave lasting impressions.

Conversely, color has the power to overpower-easily. Color, at times, can be jarring, or just simply wrong. The importance of color can not be overstated. Color your world, but do it mindfully.

This article originally appeared in the Southampton Press (Eastern & Western edition), August 4, 2005 . For permission to reproduce this article or any portion of its content, contact: Cheryl@cherylmachatdorskind.com.