If you want more bold colors, integrate both red and green into your pictures.
![Opponent based color theory. Opposing colors become more intense when placed next to one another.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/A1AE4A36-C7DE-470E-8DE7-FC47E159CD2A.jpeg?resize=1200%2C849)
According to the “opponent theory” for colors, the opposing colors, when put next to one another, will intensify both colors.
For example, two opposing colors are red and green.
![Strong figure to ground: green circle against red background.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/A1856A06-BA64-4335-B388-DE349F2E2645-2000x1333.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800)
![Strong figure to ground: Red circle against green background.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/8439B96B-C949-4CE4-880C-12565D93E4D9-2000x1333.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/5A7588D3-87A4-42DD-9B20-65117281EC51-1500x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1600)
I’ve been studying great art, graphic design, painting, photography, and nature —and red and green is one of the most bold and enigmatic color combinations.
![Color wheel theory: Dynamic tension between opposing colors.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-08-at-11.06.08-PM.png?resize=438%2C479)
For example,
- Red and green Christmas colors
- Red and green commercial products (Heineken beer, Gucci)
- Red and green logos (Stanford, or Lebanon flag)
- Red cherries or red strawberries with green foliage (perhaps to increase their chances of being spotted by animals to be eaten, and spread their seeds). Natural selection: the more bright vivid red fruits ended up reproducing more.
Red and green in art
Some examples in art:
![Edouard Manet, green background and kid with red pants](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1A89A036-0977-415F-924C-B6AA4E91DD79.jpeg?resize=600%2C1030)
![The song of love, 1914 by Giorgio de Chirico. Red glove, and green ball.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/77E5ACCF-EDC1-4BED-9764-F02BDEC2A6C2.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1475)
![Son of man by Rene Magritte, green apple with red tie.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/D3BFCA0D-B41B-4A6B-9F51-07E577ED92D3-1534x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1565)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/hopper-green-roo-800x481.jpg?resize=800%2C481)
![IKKO TANAKA x ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/5CEA7627-0EF0-4385-A012-E5F3D52F1B37-1500x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1600)
![Vincent van Gogh crab, red on green.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/0B5C46AE-B838-44ED-96CF-59C06C9B4B2F.jpeg?resize=1200%2C990)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/37F9D8AA-83E5-400E-812F-F505BC5A5A81.jpeg?resize=1200%2C842)
![Matisse abstract, green and red](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/CA9F5FD1-6222-4593-A75A-A1561421490E-1500x2000.png?resize=1200%2C1600)
![Picasso woman, red chair against green background](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/898C8521-9714-4F6C-A9E2-CB668066E762-1500x2000.png?resize=1200%2C1600)
![Harry Gruyaert. Red and green colors](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/27F8EEFC-7E5A-4243-A072-CFD2C4DA0EE5.jpeg?resize=1200%2C843)
![Harper bazaar cover, green butterfly and red lips of woman](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/EE0969B9-7941-4091-A9D2-1A06273D9D1E-1500x2000.png?resize=1200%2C1600)
Red and Green by Leonardo da Vinci
Red and green in Japanese woodcut art
The Japanese did the red and green color theory well:
RED and GREEN, ERIC KIM PHOTOS
Some examples from my photos:
![High angle shot of red and green crosswalk. Shibuya, Tokyo 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/7C2298EF-E518-4118-BF70-788D40144DCC-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
![eric kim street photography - street portraits-2-bart-glasses](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/eric-kim-street-photography-street-portraits-2-bart-glasses-800x1208.jpg?resize=800%2C1208)
![Green hair, finger nails, red lips and warm face](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/street-portrait-ricoh-grii-close-up-green-hair-800x1208.jpg?resize=800%2C1208)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/93730024-800x531.jpg?resize=800%2C531)
![Beauty of red tomato soup against green background](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1205085B-7C80-4D6E-9213-2FC3FFE445B1-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
![Love our high class customers. Green and red.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/D37B0159-8FD9-4B32-A748-A2467EFF5BEA-2000x1327.jpeg?resize=1200%2C796)
![Girl with red pigtails. Philadelphia, 2013](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AEDFD689-F273-4E1F-8AA7-F1E0FCA7BFED-2000x1327.jpeg?resize=1200%2C796)
![Red dot on the suit in London metro. Cherry on top is the red dot.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2DC52DB5-4F22-4C20-8F56-B5D85399A2DA-1326x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1810)
![Woman with hand. Green, red. Chicago, 2015](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/E82DA2B8-DB5B-49A6-80EE-29E892963928-1325x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1811)
![Red wall and green basket inside grocery store. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-COLOR-0138460-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1200%2C1811)
![Green beans and cauliflower cooked at home in marseille](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/C5D6F250-4154-4BB4-BF3A-A6252FAE9666-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
Less obvious examples, where the red (warm color) isn’t 100% red:
![Green Wall Street Photo in marseille](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/9FFD6913-09E1-4A36-87BB-98B77B28D03A-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
Red, Green, Blue (RGB)
In these photos, you can see how green enhances both the red and blue colors of a picture:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/E2B74544-858A-46E5-B428-87FEF0B0B01E-2000x1326.jpeg?resize=1200%2C796)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/7FC60B89-57D7-4D56-AF8A-1407B0A16224-1326x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1810)
Practical takeaways:
- When you have the option, try to pair both red and green together, to enhance the colors of both colors. You can do this especially if you’re doing a model shoot, and can control the outfit of your subject.
- If you want to stand out at a party, wear an all red and green outfit (Gucci). You will certainly catch the attention of others.
- When you’re designing things for graphic design, city planning, or anything that requires the attention of your viewer, pair red and green together.
- If you’re photographing something red, use a green backdrop. If you’re shooting something green, try experimenting using a red backdrop.
More Red and green inspiration
![Purple umbrella on the ground with diagonal yellow line. Beautiful to me.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/D85A5075-934F-4E72-8255-96A8D4756C11-2000x1327.jpeg?resize=1200%2C796)
Learn From the Masters of Composition
![Sergio Larrain Compositions](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AE39D47C-EFC8-44A2-BFE3-D02EE26C1097.jpeg?resize=431%2C704)
- 10 Lessons Matisse Can Teach You About Art and Life
- Henri Cartier-Bresson Composition
- 10 Timeless Lessons Edward Weston Can Teach You About Photography
- 10 Inspirational Sergio Larrain Compositions
- 5 Henri Cartier-Bresson Photography Composition Lessons
Dynamic Photography Composition 101
![Leading lines. ERIC KIM DYNAMIC COMPOSITION](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5BB65076-6E5D-4B13-A53E-8E7CACE76199.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800)
- Introduction to Dynamic Photography Composition
- How to Visually Analyze Your Photography Compositions
- Dynamic Tension: Opponent Based Theory For Photography
- Opponent Process Color Theory For Photographers
- Dynamic Photography Composition 101: Figure to Ground
Painting Compositions
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AB0C9FBC-BFB4-4800-9ADE-91FD4BAF4BE3-1500x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1600)
Dynamic Photography Composition Tips
![Chiaroscuro. DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADOW. Hanoi, 2016 by ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/1F6DDCBA-F2FF-4148-A87C-69D5CB628213-2000x1324.jpeg?resize=1200%2C794)
- 7 Simple Photography Composition Tips
- How to Make Aggressive Photography Compositions
- 10 Dynamic Photography Composition Tips
- How to Make More Dynamic Picture Compositions
- Unorthodox Photography Composition Techniques
- Deconstructed: Saigon Eric Kim Photos
Composition Theory
![Dynamic low angle composition. Tokyo, 2011 by ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/4AA45DE6-490D-42BC-9289-B1A3CCC3CF82-2000x1330.jpeg?resize=1200%2C798)
Take your composition to the next level:
- Gestalt Theory
- Juxtaposition
- Center Eye
- Low-Angle
- Dutch Angle
- Deep Depth
- Spacing
- Silhouette
- Leading Lines
- Figure to Ground
- Fibonacci Spiral
- Cropping
- Emotion
- Composition by Eric Kim
Street Photography Composition 101
![DYNAMIC REFLECTIONS. Man and three reflections by ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/D1244C01-F22D-4613-850A-0224FF12F378-2000x1817.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1090)
For distilled lessons on composition, read the free ebook: “The Street Photography Composition Manual.”
Further articles to improve your compositions in photography:
- Composition Lesson #1: Triangles
- Composition Lesson #2: Figure-to-ground
- Composition Lesson #3: Diagonals
- Composition Lesson #4: Leading Lines
- Composition Lesson #5: Depth
- Composition Lesson #6: Framing
- Composition Lesson #7: Perspective
- Composition Lesson #8: Curves
- Composition Lesson #9: Self-Portraits
- Composition Lesson #10: Urban Landscapes
- Composition Lesson #11: “Spot the not”
- Composition Lesson #12: Color Theory
- Composition Lesson #13: Multiple-Subjects
- Composition Lesson #14: Square Format
Composition Theory
![Chiaroscuro. DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADOW. Hanoi, 2016 by ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/24CF061A-6AF9-46FC-BBF6-90792EE927CF-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
Learn compositional theory:
- Why is Composition Important?
- Don’t Think About Composition When You’re Shooting Street Photography
- How to Use Negative Space
- Street Photography Composition 101
- The Theory of Composition in Street Photography: 7 Lessons from Henri Cartier-Bresson