{"id":55815,"date":"2017-07-08T03:11:47","date_gmt":"2017-07-08T10:11:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=55815"},"modified":"2017-07-08T03:22:01","modified_gmt":"2017-07-08T10:22:01","slug":"how-to-make-better-color-photographs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/08\/how-to-make-better-color-photographs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Better Color Photographs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

I love color, even though I wear all black.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why color?<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To perceive color is human. We need to perceive color to survive.<\/p>\n

Red is the color of blood, cherries, strawberries. Red is danger or food.<\/p>\n

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Blue is the color of water and life. Blue calms us.<\/p>\n

Gold is socialized to be of value. It certainly is shiny, so it attracts us.<\/p>\n

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Green is also a color of life. Verdant pastures. Green trees of life.<\/p>\n

There is a whole psychology of color.<\/p>\n

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Just consider:<\/p>\n

\n Why are certain animals, foods, or things in nature colored the way they are?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then consider how humans re-appropriate color.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Why are all fast food restaurants red and yellow? The color of anxiety, fear, and potential gain.<\/p>\n

Why is white a symbol of purity and black of death? Why do some societies wear all white to a funeral, instead of all black?<\/p>\n

Just ask yourself more questions about color.<\/p>\n

1. Shoot color JPEG<\/h2>\n

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Practical tip: shoot color JPEG. Why? The colors that come out of your camera processed in JPEG often look better than processed raw files. Whenever possible I recommend shooting RAW + JPEG.<\/p>\n

Camera companies spend millions of dollars in research and development to make their JPEG color images look good. Why not just use JPEG?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Personally I love the color JPEG images from Fujifilm cameras.<\/p>\n

If you shoot with a smartphone, use VSCO and the A6 preset for a film Kodak Portra 400 look (which I consider the best looking color film). Buy FILM NOTES<\/a> for inspiration.<\/p>\n

Also read: Why you should shoot JPEG<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Don’t make good photos; make colorful photos<\/h2>\n

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As an assignment, spend the entire day not to make “good” photos, but colorful photos.<\/p>\n

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NYC, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s so simple: when you’re shooting, intentionally look for colorful things that catch your eyes. No black and white.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ask yourself,<\/p>\n

\n Will this look colorful, or not?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

3. Shoot the rainbow<\/h2>\n

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An assignment from STREET NOTES<\/a>: shoot the rainbow.<\/p>\n

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For one day only shoot the color red. Next day only the color blue. Then work your way through the rainbow. Then after 7 days make a project called “Rainbow” and only show your most colorful photos.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Taste the rainbow.<\/p>\n

The world is beautiful and colorful. Why not try to capture some of that beauty?<\/p>\n

\"\"
NYC, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

BE COLORFUL,
\nERIC<\/p>\n

CONQUER YOUR FEARS AND MEET NEW PEERS ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Color Photography<\/a><\/h1>\n

Learn to paint with your camera:<\/p>\n