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Elements of Design - Color

Lesson 26 from: Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual Storytelling

Chris Weston

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Lesson Info

26. Elements of Design - Color

Next Lesson: Case Study - Color

Lessons

Class Trailer
1

Your 10,001st Photograph

03:24
2

Camera Gear

03:03
3

Piece of Gear We Always Forget

03:47
4

Be a Storyteller

03:09
5

Finding Ideas For Photography - Know Your Subject

06:59
6

Cae Study - Why Are Zebras Black and White Striped

01:30
7

Photograph What You Love

02:00
8

See the Extraordinary in Ordinary Things

01:31

Lesson Info

Elements of Design - Color

of all the elements of design, color is the most powerful. As humans, we attach many emotional connotations with color. Red means danger. Green means healthy. Think of a traffic light, for example, because color is so linked to emotion is the element that, more than any other, creates mood. Warm colors such as red and yellow and orange make us happy. Cold colors such as blue give off a more melancholic feeling, but warm and cool colors together on the warm color will project forward while the cool color receives creating a sense of depth. Complementary colors that is, those sitting opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green or orange and blue appear more vivid when placed next to each other, which draws attention to them. Color can also create visual or implied energy because of their different wavelengths. For example, a picture of a red leaf against a green background will appear mawr three dimensional because red has a longer wavelength than green. Bold, vivid col...

ors will live in an image making their subject stand out, or you can use softer pastel colors to create a more sensual mood. Color also creates context revealing the scene in the same terms that we perceive it, which makes it more true to life. Because color is such a powerful communicator, it can also be overwhelming, smothering the other elements of design. So if textural patterns say are key elements in your composition, consider converting the image to black and white because it will allow those elements to stand out more now because color is so expressive is a great element to experiment with as you'll see in the next lesson.

Ratings and Reviews

Edmund Cheung
 

Perhaps the style of presentation and simple, short, and direct messaging does not "jive" with some; but others may really love this. Yes the production of each episode is stylized and perhaps a bit formal (like a TV Show?), but there is something to be said about it. Perhaps this is not meant for professional photographers? I think of myself as decent amateur / high level photographer. I found lots of great nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from this. Especially when I an in a rut for creativity. Yes I have heard all these concepts and ideas before. BUT it is always great to hear and see a different way of presentation and voice. Please do NOT take the naysayer reviews as the end all. You should judge for yourself and watch a few episodes. If the style and content click for you, I would highly recommend this course.

Abdullah Alahmari
 

Thanks a lot to mr. Chris Weston This course is great and It is a 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 course for me. Beside the other course ( mastering the art of photography ) both courses are Complementing to each other and highly recommended.

Kai Atherton
 

While I am perhaps more advanced in my photography then this course. It is always great to be able to go back to fundamentals and remind ourselves of the basic principles, and even camera function. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and Chris's other. It is a great motivational jumpstart when lacking fresh creative idea's.

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