{"id":68952,"date":"2017-11-08T06:38:58","date_gmt":"2017-11-08T14:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=68952"},"modified":"2017-11-08T06:51:05","modified_gmt":"2017-11-08T14:51:05","slug":"the-ultimate-beginners-guide-to-color-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/08\/the-ultimate-beginners-guide-to-color-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Guide to Color Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Red
Red cowboy. Red, yellow, blue. Los Angeles, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to make more powerful color photographs<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

HAPTIC INDUSTRIES<\/a><\/h2>\n

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HAPTIC INDUSTRIES<\/strong><\/a>: Creative Tools to Empower You.<\/p>\n

See products in SHOP<\/strong><\/a> and\u00c2\u00a0AMAZON<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Why color photography?<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The first question you must ask yourself,<\/p>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why shoot color pictures?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Personally, I like all photography. I like shooting black and white, color, digital, film, phone, whatever format. Ultimately, I am passionate about pictures which excite me, spark joy in my eye and mind, and pictures which inspire me to LIVE MORE in my real life.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Anyways, I like color photography because color photography brings out more joy, excitement, and optimism in life. The world is also a colorful place \u00e2\u20ac\u201d in terms of spirit, philosophically, and physically.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Generally, black and white photography<\/a> is good to evoke timelessness, nostalgia, solemn mood, and often darkness and despair. You can of course make optimistic, joyful pictures in black and white, but it is more difficult. Also, I think generally colors are better to evoke joyful emotions, because there is something about colors in itself which sparks some sort of emotions within the human soul.<\/p>\n

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Color photography is more challenging<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I also find that color photography is more challenging than black and white photography. Why? When you add color, you add another variable, and another level of complexity to your pictures.<\/p>\n

Generally, I think a strong picture must be both simple and dynamic.<\/p>\n

It is very hard to make a simple color picture.<\/strong> Why? Because colors often distract more than add to a picture. We must use colors to direct the eyes of the viewer \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to have the colors lead their eyes around the frame.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Now being a color photographer is very difficult, because at least in street photography<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyou cannot control the colors in the real world. You can control how you frame your scenes, when to hit the shutter, but ultimately you are at the whims of reality. Reality will present certain colors to you, and you will have to make the choice of how to paint with your camera.<\/p>\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Trust Color Theory too much<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a bit skeptical of color theory in photography and art because ultimately \u00e2\u20ac\u201d they are all just theories.<\/p>\n

Also, too much focus and nerdiness on color theory can harm us as visual artists and photographers. Why? We must as photographers first focus on making good pictures and being ACTIVE in the real world. We shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just go out, trying to follow some theory, and then take pictures.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To clarify,<\/p>\n

\n First take pictures, then understand the color theory afterwards<\/em>.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Instead of,<\/p>\n

\n Study color theory, then go out and take pictures.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Color theory should be a tool for us to understand our color pictures after<\/em> we shoot them. We should use color theory to analyze<\/em> our pictures afterwards.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There are multiple color theories out there such as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153opponent process color theory<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153complementary colors<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Opponent based color theory<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For this guide, we will stick to the basics, the primary colors of Red, Yellow, and Blue (RYB Colors).<\/p>\n

Piet Mondrian<\/h2>\n

The biggest inspiration I get from color theory, composition, and visual art is from Piet Mondrian. He was able to distill emotion, structure, and tension\u00e2\u20ac\u201d just using black lines, white, and Red, Yellow, and Blue to make a powerful picture.<\/p>\n

In order to better understand his colors, lines, and compositions\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve used the iPad and Procreate app to make my own sketches and drawings, based on his pictures. I like the placement of his Red, Yellow, and Blue figures \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and I like the dynamic tension and composition created through his pictures:<\/p>\n

\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Red, Yellow, Blue<\/h2>\n
\"\u00e2\u20ac\u0153RYB\u00e2\u20ac\u009d-
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153RYB\u00e2\u20ac\u009d- red, yellow, and blue mixing to make other colors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To start in color photography, let us limit our palette to the primary colors of Red, Yellow, and Blue.<\/p>\n

\"RYB
RYB color chart from George Field’s 1841 Chromatography; or, A treatise on colours and pigments:<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Personally I like Red, Yellow, and Blue as a color combination, because I find them the most BOLD, ENERGETIC, and compelling. Also, these colors combined are naturally balanced, and pleasing on the eye.<\/p>\n

Here are some pictures which include Red, Yellow, and Blue (all in the same picture) which I like:<\/p>\n

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RED Pictures<\/h2>\n
\"Limited<\/a>
Limited edition: CRIMSON RED HENRI CHROMA WRIST STRAP<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Out of all the colors, RED is my favorite. It is the color of blood, drama, war, danger, power, and attention.<\/p>\n

In your photos, always look for RED:<\/p>\n

\"Tucson,
Tucson, 2014. Lady with red hair and yellow shirt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy behind a red curtain. Kyoto, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Red
Red and yellow storefront. NYC, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Diagonals
Off-center self-portrait in red. Tokyo, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Man
Man with red tape. Venice, 2013. Leica MP + Leica Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH + Kodak Portra 400<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy at work at cafe, with red light. Kyoto, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bonus points if you can make a portrait or picture of someone dressed in red, against a red background:<\/p>\n

\"Red
Red hair on red background. Kodak Portra 400 with flash. London, 2014.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to just photograph people in red outfits. Look for red objects, and fill the frame with as much \u00e2\u20ac\u0153redness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as possible:<\/p>\n

\"\"
Red faucet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"eric
Red stripe. Bangkok, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Or, look for a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153pop of red\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d where the background is a mostly neutral white, grey, or black \u00e2\u20ac\u201d with a little bit of red in the subject, to make them \u00e2\u20ac\u0153pop\u00e2\u20ac\u009d out of the background:<\/p>\n

\"Red
Red Urinal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Red
Red coat in car.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Red
Red question mark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Red
Red lip stick. Street portrait, NYC, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Red
Red coat and hair in bag. Downtown LA, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Red
Red poster. Hollywood, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Red is good. Physiologically there have been studies where people who wear red lipstick, red dresses, red suits, red clothes \u00e2\u20ac\u201dare rated more attractive. They certainly court more attention.<\/p>\n

\"Cindy
Cindy against all red lighting. Washington DC, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lesson<\/strong>: If you want your subject to really pop out from the frame, either have them put on red clothes, red lipstick, or look for subjects in all red.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/strong>: Spend an entire day and only photograph the color red.<\/p>\n

\n

BLUE pictures<\/h2>\n
\"MIDNIGHT
MIDNIGHT BLUE: Henri CHROMA WRIST STRAP<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I think of the color blue, I think calm, relaxation, and peace.<\/p>\n

\"Marseille
Marseille man on beach. Portra 400, 2013. Nice blue, azul tones.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The most prominent color of blue comes from the sky and ocean.<\/p>\n

\"marseille-contact-sheet
Marseille contact sheet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also, we perceive objects further away as more blue. If you are on top of a mountain range and look at faraway mountains, they will appear more blue, the further away they are.<\/p>\n

Personally, I like the color blue \u00e2\u20ac\u201d because it is calm and peaceful. When I see people wearing blue clothes, they are \u00e2\u20ac\u0153inoffensive\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to the eye, and I feel I can trust them.<\/p>\n

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\"Blue
Blue wall. Boy with dark blue, red sleeves, and yellow headphones.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Blue
Blue sky in the rain. Shot with a RICOH GR II in P mode, with flash, through translucent clear umbrella. Kyoto, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kyoto,
Woman in blue jacket. Kyoto, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy in blue Yukata. Uji, Kyoto 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Leica
Leica MP + Leica Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH + Kodak Portra 400. Blue box against blue sky.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cadillac
Good\/Yellow Cadillac logo against blue hood of car.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Girl
Girl laughing with blue sunglasss. Kyoto, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Blue
Blue tarp. Shibuya, Tokyo 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Blue
Blue stage. London, 2013. Leica MP + Leica Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH + Kodak Portra 400<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To better isolate the colors, and study the color pictures you shoot, turn them into graphic illustrations. For example, I will open up a picture in Photoshop, apply a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gaussian blue\u00e2\u20ac\u009d filter to isolate the colors, then use the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153eye dropper\u00e2\u20ac\u009d tool to select the colors, then using the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153polygonal lasso tool\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to draw the shapes and fill in the colors:<\/p>\n

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Here a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cubist Cindy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d picture I made:<\/p>\n

\"eric
Cindy in blue romper. Melrose, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"cindy<\/p>\n

\"cindy<\/p>\n

\n

Yellow Pictures<\/h2>\n
\"Yellow
Yellow polygonal shape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yellow<\/strong>: we think danger, caution, we think bumblebees, attention, authority.<\/p>\n

This is why \u00e2\u20ac\u0153danger\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153caution\u00e2\u20ac\u009d signs are usually made in yellow. Specifically, yellow background with black text.<\/p>\n

\"Yellow
Yellow sign pops out from the scene. Shot with a flash. London, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yellow is also one of the most \u00e2\u20ac\u0153loud\u00e2\u20ac\u009d colors\u00e2\u20ac\u201d this is why if you want to be flashy, you get a bright yellow Lamborghini.<\/p>\n

\"LEARN
Yellow cover. LEARN FROM THE MASTERS BOOK<\/a> by HAPTICPRESS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also note, the color of GOLD most clearly resembles yellow. And humans have always valued gold as money, currency, and power. Therefore, we might have been socialized to value the color yellow as having power and influence.<\/p>\n

\"Gold
Gold decoration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Gold
Gold facade of building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Man
Man cleaning golden display. His blue glove pops out of the scene. NYC, 2017. Pentax 645Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also, note that most advertising for fast food, or almost anything \u00e2\u20ac\u201d is usually yellow. And often a combination<\/em> of both<\/em> Yellow and<\/em> Red \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to catch your attention the most:<\/p>\n

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\"Yellow
Yellow and pizza.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Yellow
Yellow background on ice cream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Yellow
Yellow manhole cover.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yellow makes us feel uncomfortable too:<\/p>\n

\"Suit
Man washing hands in bathroom. Yellow background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Yellow
Yellow tones. Man with hands in prayer. Wisconsin, 2017. Pentax 645Z.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We also like the color yellow \u00e2\u20ac\u201d because at the most extreme brightness \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the color is more yellow (not white). Note during sunrise or sunset, where you can see the yellow colors. These warmer Yellow colors relax us:<\/p>\n

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\"Ceiling
Yellow tones. Ceiling clouds. New York Public Library. Pentax 645Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Cindy<\/p>\n

\"Woman
Woman in airplane. Sunset over NYC. Yellow light.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"New
Yellow light as sunset over New York City skyline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yellow-Orange<\/h3>\n

Personally, I find more orange scenes in photography. Also, note that the color of orange is very close to yellow:<\/p>\n

\"American<\/p>\n

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Practical Color photography assignments<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. For a month, only shoot color pictures, using ONLY JPEG.<\/strong> By only shooting JPEG<\/a> (not RAW) it will help you to focus on training your eyes to SEE COLORS, rather than processing your colors to look more colorful afterwards. If your camera has it, set your camera JPEG processing setting to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153high contrast color\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153high saturation color\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode.<\/li>\n
  2. When you go out, give yourself an assignment, a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153creative constraint<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of only shooting one color.<\/strong> Only choose the color RED, YELLOW, or BLUE. If you see any other color, just ignore it. This will train your eyes to become more sensitive to only one colors.<\/li>\n
  3. Draw and paint your own colors.<\/strong> Pick up a copy of CREATIVE EVERY DAY<\/a>, and use the primary colors of Red, Yellow, and Blue. Make your own pictures or drawings on your phone, iPad, with crayons, markers, or pens.<\/li>\n
  4. Study all visual art:<\/strong> To learn how to become a better photographer and learn better color theory, study more art in general. Not just photography. Photographers usually aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t very good in controlling their colors. Personally I like Piet Mondrian, Vincent van Gogh, Picasso<\/a>, and Andy Warhol and Basquiat for their colors.<\/li>\n
  5. Wear colorful clothes:<\/strong> Train yourself with color coordination by making a more colorful wardrobe. Mix and match colors. Study fashion photography<\/a>, like Guy Bourdain<\/a>. See how they paint their pictures with colors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Ultimately with color photography, have fun. Be like a big kid running around with crayons or markers\u00e2\u20ac\u201dexcept, you have a camera instead.<\/p>\n

    Paint your own world,
    \nERIC<\/p>\n

    ADVANCE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY: ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS ><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    HAPTIC INDUSTRIES<\/a><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    HAPTIC INDUSTRIES<\/strong><\/a>: Creative Tools to Empower You.<\/p>\n

    See products in SHOP<\/strong><\/a> and\u00c2\u00a0AMAZON<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    New: Limited Edition Henri Chroma Wrist Straps<\/a><\/h2>\n
    \"New:
    New: Limited Edition Henri Chroma Wrist Straps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Add a pop of color to your photographic life with a bold Henri Chroma Wrist Strap<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \n

    PHOTOGRAPHY 101<\/a><\/h1>\n

    \"Seoul,<\/p>\n

    Dear friend,<\/p>\n

    If you’re new to photography, start here:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Free Photography Bootcamp<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. The Ultimate Beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Guide to Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. 100 Photography Tips for Beginners<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n

      New Photography Articles<\/h2>\n

       <\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n