Color In Photography
Selective use of color in photography can help to create moods or provoke emotions in the viewer and dramatically enhance the impact of your images. With wildlife photography you don't always have the opportunity to manipulate the colors but when it does arise it should be taken.
Opportunities can arise if you are able to change your position in order to change the background or if you can re-frame to eliminate or introduce a color.
Color Wheel
Understanding how to use color in photography is done by understanding the color wheel and the emotions that a color provokes.
Complementing Colors
Two colors complement each other if they appear at opposite sides of the color wheel. For example orange and blue or red and green. They serve to clash and increase each others intensity which can produce a striking image. Harmonizing Colors
Colors harmonize with each other if they are one color zone apart. This makes it more pleasing to the eye of the viewer and creates an inner sense of order, calm and peace. If colors don''t harmonize then they can appear boring or chaotic. For example orange harmonizes with red and yellow.
Emotional Response
Color provokes an emotional response, especially the color of the background.Yellow
Yellow is cheerful, warm satisfying, lively and stimulating.It is the first color that the eye notices. This is why pictures of yellow birds and flowers are eye catchers. It can also be overpowering if overused because its the most difficult color for the eye to take in. Yellow and orange are the dominant colors of autumn. Red
Red is bold and the most emotionally intense color. It attracts attention and stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. Anything red in a wildlife photography picture will get noticed.Because its hard not to notice something in red, be wary of anything in the background that is red as you don't want it to draw attention away from the subject. Its qualities are enhanced further if it is against a dark background. Purple
Purple is associated with royalty, wealth, prosperity. It should be used carefully to communicate something mysterious and mystic. Blue
Blue is restful, peaceful, calm and tranquil. It causes the body to produce calming chemicals - completely the opposite effect to red. It is the color of Sky, water, ice, coolness, masculinity, mist and shadows. Green Green is the easiest color on the eye and symbolizes nature. It is calming and refreshing. It is the color of fertility, rebirth and freedom. Brown
Brown naturally balances stronger colors. It is the color of nature, trees and wood. Gray
Gray is Neutral, middle of the road and timeless. It enhances and intensifies any color it surrounds and makes an excellent background color. Black
Black denotes Elegance, class, authority and power. It Contrasts with most colors well. It makes an excellent background color in photography especially if the other colors are bright. White
White is associated with purity and innocence and establishes clarity and contrast. Orange
Orange is a hot color but not as aggressive as red. It is associated with joy and enthusiasm and increases oxygen supply to the brain, producing an invigorating effect.
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