Using colour creatively in your photographs can mean the difference between a good image and a great image. We explore this topics in depth in our photography courses, but here are a few short tips for you to begin with:
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- Colour psychology: Colours can evoke different emotions and moods. Use colour psychology to choose colours that complement or contrast with the subject and help convey the photo’s mood or emotion.
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- Create colour harmony: Harmonious colours are colours that work well together and create a sense of balance in the photo. Use colour theory to create harmonious colour combinations, such as complementary colours or analogous colours.
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- Colour contrast: Contrasting colours can create a sense of drama and interest in a photo. Look for contrasting colours in the environment or use colour grading techniques to create contrast between different photo areas.
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- Selective colour: Selective colour is a technique that involves desaturating most of the colours in the photo except for one or a few colours. This can create a bold and striking image but be careful; it can also look old-fashioned and hackneyed.
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- Colour temperature: Colour temperature refers to the warmth or coolness of a colour. Use colour temperature to create a mood in the photo, such as using warm colours to create a sense of comfort or cool colours to create a sense of calmness.
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- Colour grading: Colour grading is the process of manipulating the colours in an image to create a desired look or mood. It is an essential part of post-processing in photography and filmmaking, as it can dramatically affect the overall feel of an image or video.Colour grading involves adjusting various aspects of colour, including hue, saturation, brightness, and contrast. The goal is to achieve a consistent look to create a specific mood that suits the subject matter.
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- Colour filters: Colour filters can be used on the camera lens or in post-processing to create specific colour effects. Use colour filters to create a vintage look, add warmth or coolness to the photo, or create a moody atmosphere.
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- Colour as a focal point: Use colour to draw attention to the subject or to create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the photo. For example, use a brightly coloured object in the foreground to draw the viewer’s eye to the subject in the background.
- Play with saturation: Saturation refers to the intensity of a colour. Use saturation to create a bold and vibrant photo or to create a more muted and subtle effect.
- If this interests you and you want to develop your photography skills, take the IOP Professional Diploma in Photography course. Start today from home.
