Colour plays a vital role in photography. It can set the mood, evoke emotions, and make a photo more engaging and visually appealing. Understanding colour theory and how to use colour effectively in your photos can take your photography skills to the next level. In this article, we'll discuss six tips for applying colour in your photos. These include the basics of colour theory, using complementary and analogous colours, colour temperature, colour psychology, and considering the context. 

Understanding colour theory: the basics 

Colour theory is the study of how colours interact with each other and how they can be combined to create pleasing colour schemes. It's a necessity to understand the basics of colour theory in order to effectively use colour in your photos. 

The three primary colours are red, blue, and yellow. These colours cannot be created by mixing other colours together. All other colours can be made from these primary colours. For example, mixing red and yellow creates orange, mixing blue and yellow creates green, and mixing red and blue creates purple. 

Secondary colours are made by mixing two primary colours together. The secondary colours are orange (red + yellow), green (blue + yellow), and purple (red + blue). 

Tertiary colours are made by mixing a primary and a secondary colour together. These include colours such as yellow-green (yellow + green), red-orange (red + orange), and blue-purple (blue + purple). 

Colour theory also includes concepts such as hue, saturation, and value. Hue refers to the specific colour on the colour wheel, such as red or blue. Saturation refers to how pure or intense a colour is. A highly saturated colour is pure and vibrant, while a desaturated colour is more muted or greyed-out. Value refers to the brightness or darkness of a colour. 

Understanding colour theory can help you create pleasing colour schemes in your photos. For example, using complementary colours (colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel) can create strong contrasts in your photos. Using analogous colours (colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel) can create a harmonious and cohesive colour scheme. Additionally, using warm or cool colours can create a specific mood or atmosphere in your photos. By using colour intentionally and with an understanding of colour theory, you can create photos that are visually appealing and effective at conveying your message. 

Using complementary colours 

Complementary colours are colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. They create a strong contrast when used together and can make your photos pop. The most common complementary colour pairs are: 

• Red and green 

• Blue and orange 

• Yellow and purple 

When complementary colours are used together, they create a high-contrast colour scheme that can be very visually striking. For example, if you're taking a photo of a red flower, you might place it against a green background to make the colours pop. Or if you're taking a photo of someone wearing a blue shirt, you might use an orange filter to create a complementary colour contrast. 

It's critical to note that complementary colours can also be overwhelming if used in excess or in the wrong context. When using complementary colours, it's best to use them in moderation and to make sure they're appropriate for the subject matter and context of the photo. 

Another way to use complementary colours is to use them in small accents or details within your photos. For example, you might add a touch of purple to a yellow and green colour scheme by including a purple flower in the background of your photo. This can create a subtle but effective contrast that adds interest to your photo. 

Complementary colours are a powerful tool for creating high-contrast colour schemes in your photos. By using them intentionally and with care, you can create photos that are visually striking and engaging. 

Analogous colours 

Analogous colours are colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. They create a harmonious and cohesive colour scheme when used together. Analogous colour schemes are often found in nature and can create a peaceful and calming effect in your photos. 

Analogous colour schemes typically include three colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. For example, a common analogous colour scheme is yellow, orange, and red. Other examples include blue, green, and yellow-green or red, purple, and blue-purple. 

When using an analogous colour scheme, it's important to vary the saturation and brightness of the colours to create visual interest. For example, you might use a bright yellow in the foreground of your photo, a slightly desaturated orange in the middle ground, and a deep red in the background. This can create depth and dimension in your photo while still maintaining a cohesive colour scheme. 

Analogous colour schemes can be particularly effective for landscape or nature photography, where the colours in the scene are often naturally analogous. For example, a sunset might include a range of analogous colours from yellow to orange to red. 

Analogous colours can be a powerful tool for creating a harmonious and cohesive colour scheme in your photos. By choosing colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel and varying their saturation and brightness, you can create photos that are visually interesting and calming. 

Using colour temperature 

Colour temperature refers to the warmth or coolness of a colour. Warm colours have a red or orange undertone, while cool colours have a blue or green undertone. The colour temperature of your photo can have a big impact on its overall mood and atmosphere. 

Warm colours tend to create a feeling of energy, excitement, and vibrancy. They're often associated with sunsets, fire, and warmth. Cool colours, on the other hand, tend to create a feeling of calmness, serenity, and relaxation. They're often associated with water, ice, and cool temperatures. 

When using colour temperature in your photos, it's worthwhile to consider the subject matter and the mood you want to convey. For example, if you're taking a photo of a sunny beach, you might use warm colours to convey the energy and vibrancy of the scene. On the other hand, if you're taking a photo of a quiet lake at sunset, you might opt for cool colours to create a serene and calming mood. 

One way to adjust the colour temperature in your photos is through white balance. Most cameras and editing software allow you to adjust the white balance to make your photo warmer or cooler. For example, if your photo has a blue or cool tint, you can change the white balance to make it warmer and more yellow or orange. 

Another way to adjust the colour temperature in your photos is through filters or gels. You can use a warm or cool filter over your lens or on your lighting equipment to adjust the overall colour temperature of your scene. 

Colour temperature can be a powerful tool for creating mood and atmosphere in your photos. By choosing warm or cool colours and adjusting the white balance or using filters, you can create photos that are visually engaging and effective at conveying your message. 

Using colour psychology 

Colour psychology is the study of how colours can affect human behaviour, emotions, and moods. Different colours can evoke different emotions and responses in people, and understanding colour psychology can help you use colour effectively in your photos. 

Here are some common colour associations and the emotions or moods they can evoke: 

• Red: energy, excitement, passion, danger, anger 

• Orange: warmth, happiness, enthusiasm, creativity 

• Yellow: optimism, happiness, friendliness, caution 

• Green: nature, growth, health, relaxation, envy 

• Blue: calmness, serenity, trust, sadness 

• Purple: royalty, luxury, creativity, mystery 

• Pink: love, romance, calmness, femininity 

• Brown: stability, reliability, earthiness 

• Black: sophistication, power, mystery, sadness 

• White: purity, innocence, cleanliness, simplicity 

When using colour psychology in your photos, it's worthwhile to consider the context and the message you want to convey. For example, if you're taking a photo of a food dish, you might use warm colours like red, orange, or yellow to evoke feelings of hunger and excitement. On the other hand, if you're taking a photo of a spa or relaxation scene, you might use cool colours like blue or green to create a calm and serene atmosphere. 

It's also imperative to consider cultural differences in colour associations. Different cultures may have different associations with certain colours, so it's imperative to be aware of these differences when using colour in your photos. 

Overall, colour psychology can be a powerful tool for creating mood and emotion in your photos. By choosing colours that evoke the right emotions and moods for your subject matter and context, you can create photos that are more effective at conveying your message. This will engage your audience. 

Consider the context 

When using colour in your photos, it's worthwhile to consider the context in which the photo will be viewed. Different colours may be more effective in different contexts, and understanding these contexts can help you use colour more effectively in your photos. 

For example, if you're taking photos for a website or marketing campaign, you might consider the brand colours or the colour scheme of the website. This will enable you to choose colours for your photos. Using complementary or analogous colours that match the brand or website can create a cohesive and professional look. 

If you're taking photos for a specific purpose, such as a magazine cover or a billboard advertisement, you might consider the context in which the photo will be viewed. For example, if the photo will be viewed from a distance, you might use bold and bright colours to catch the viewer's eye. On the other hand, if the photo will be viewed up close, you might use more subtle and nuanced colours to create depth and dimension. 

It's also worthwhile to consider the cultural context in which the photo will be viewed. Different cultures may have different associations with certain colours, and using the wrong colours in certain contexts could be offensive or ineffective. For example, in Western cultures, red is often associated with love and passion, while in some Eastern cultures, it may be associated with luck and prosperity. 

Overall, considering the context in which your photo will be viewed is an important part of using colour effectively. By choosing colours that match the brand or website, considering the purpose and viewing distance of the photo, and being aware of cultural associations with certain colours, you can create photos that are more effective at conveying your message and engaging your audience. 

Understanding Colour Theory - Conclusion 

Using colour effectively in your photos can help you create more powerful and engaging images. By understanding colour theory and the various ways you can use colour to evoke emotion and set the mood, you can take your photography skills to the next level. Whether you're taking photos for personal use or for a professional project, using colour intentionally can help you create more impactful and visually appealing photos. So next time you're taking photos, remember these six tips for using colour and experiment with different colour combinations to create stunning images. 

Featured image credit - Whilst I endeavour to use photos that I take as and where possible for article, I couldn’t find a good one for this article. The featured image is by Annie Spratt and downloaded from Unsplash.