The Why
Selecting a color before you go on your photo walk limits the overwhelm and will help you to concentrate on seeing that one (or several colors) that you decided on.
I went on a photo walk the other day and decided that yellow & green would be my triggers. It made my photo walk into a Color Treasure Hunt and I had a blast! None of the images you see below are award winning- but this is how we improve as photographers. For instance- I normally would have overlooked the old tractor with the plants growing on it. I actually really like this photo. It shows how nature takes over eventually and/or the relationship between nature and technology.
When you set the intention to look for those specific colors, you engage the RAS (Reticular Activating System). This gets pretty scientific on how it works, but basically the RAS filters millions of bits of sensory input, allowing only crucial information to reach the brain, and then prioritizes what we “focus” on.
How To
There are several ways you can actually go about using color in your photography. In my case, I selected yellow & green. This meant I could photograph any object that was yellow, green, or both.
Some photographers will use one color as an Anchor- and then look for other colors to complement that color. I think this is probably advanced since you’re basically adding more layers. For instance- let’s say you come across a construction site and see orange caution signs. You could look for additional orange – the cones, vests the construction guys could be wearing, etc. to also photograph and include in your frame.
One other approach is to let the color happen naturally. Start your photo walk and then wait until you see a pop of color that catches your eye and then look around to find something else in the scene with the same color. Also, think about the background- the less cluttered it is, the better.
The End Goal: Do your best to create a series of at least six shots from this color. Don’t just let the images sit on your card or in your computer. Add to socials, your site, or create a gallery and hang in your home!
Consider the Color Wheel
The color wheel shows the relationship between colors. Knowing color theory will help you improve your photography tremendously. The best artists have a thorough understanding on how color impacts their art.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the color wheel:
Primary Colors (RYB Model)- Red, Yellow, and Blue. These form the foundation of all other colors.
Secondary Colors– Orange (Red & Yellow), Green (Blue & Yellow), Violet (Red & Blue)
Tertiary Colors– mixing a primary color with secondary color (Red-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Violet)
Color Models– RYB (Red, Yellow, and Blue) are used by artists and painters, and RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is an additive model used for screens and light.
How to Use the Color Wheel (Color Combinations) to improve your Photography:
- Complementary: Colors directly opposite each other (e.g., blue and orange) for high contrast.
- Analogous: Two-Three colors side-by-side (e.g., yellow, yellow-green, green) for harmony.
- Triadic: Three colors evenly spaced in a triangle (e.g., red, yellow, blue) for a vibrant look.
- Split-Complementary: A base color and the two colors adjacent to its complement.
Based on the color wheel, the colors I selected (Yellow & Green) are analogous. I knew based on the color wheel that these two colors work well together. As I stated earlier, It was challenging & Fun to find a variety of yellow/green combinations.
Okay, so what are your thoughts on this project? Please leave your comments- or say hello on Instagram!