Color Theory In Photography

[@friedricengravy6646]

Desaturation is a game changer in visual art. In painting we achieve this by adding compliments to the color (a dab of green to a red or a dab of orange to blue, etc). Realizing that neon color is not how we typically see the world will bring a warm familiarity to a person’s photography. Of course there r moments that require something outside of that box & artists who prefer to push the boundary, but on average, the typical diner photo or Christmas card or fall landscape/summer green grass could really gain from desaturated color. Instead, many, especially with modern digital tools marketing their hyper intensity in color & definition, will pump up the chroma. Color should never b gaudy. As well, we dont need every detail outlined with hard edges as made possible with HD power tools lol, but that’s another subject all together. Thank u for the content. U have turned me on to many wonderful photographers & taught me much about their history. Clear, to the point, & educational, always professional. The best to u & urs! 📸

[@elusivejahnell]

Thanks so much for this. Found it very valuable. There is a really excellent (but out of print) book called 'Cartier Bresson: A Question of Colour' released as part of a London exhibition of the same name. It works on the premise that Cartier Bresson didn't believe colour could simplify the chaos of the world enough to have a bold message, and then presented photographers from the second half of the 20th century who tackled that challenge with success. It has everybody from Leiter to Haas (a personal favourite) and Gruyaert, but the guy that really seems to have cracked the Cartier Bresson style in colour is Alex Webb. This inspired me to attend a Magnum photos workshop with him last Summer, and he said that he only really shoots from the late afternoon onwards. This is very important! You can simplify colours by splitting them up with strong black shadows. You may not want that effect, but the time of day one shoots is particularly important in colour photography.

[@АнтонШимелевич]

Another gem from Ted, thank you so much. You explained color theory so succinctly and focused on the examples and practical tools. I watched dozens of videos about color and none of them did a job remotely as good as yours. Brilliant as always!

[@atamola]

This is what makes this channel unique: high quality content. keep it up, Forbes -you are nailing it.

[@RetiOrchid58]

I find this a really interesting aspect of colour composition; if we can see colour in terms of hue, saturation, brightness, then how different colours react differently to over or under exposure. Like, blue maintains its blueness for both; underexpose yellow and it turns to ochre, but gets brighter with brighter exposures whereas many colours get pastel..I have an interesting thing that someone might be interested in with colour theory. No doubt someone's mentioned this before but it's got to do with additive and subtractive colour mixing yielding different results: mostly we think of colour mixing in terms of pigment mixing, which being reflected light rather than source, is subtractive mixing: add enough colours and it tends to black. But light works differently and mixes differently: add enough and it tends to white. So why not in photography and colour composition be conscious of additive mixing, too? I saw a lovely still life of a cherry with its red fruit and green stem on a brown wooden background in a book I have: here the brown is the result of as-if pigment mixing - subtractive - of the red and green, and works perfectly in receding the background but amplifying the subject because of the relationship (while the subject itself has complimentary colours). But sometimes, if you can have a subject the colour of which is the result of additive mixing, per light mixing rather than pigment, you can treat the subject as if it is a source of light, amplified by the prominent other two colours its mixed from. So, to take the cherry example, with light, rather than red and green mixing to brown, they mix to yellow. So have a yellow subject. Another common example might be the green and blue of grass and sky: in light mixing, they mix to cyan. So say a female portrait outdoors, and you want her to really stand out colour-wise in a sympathetic way, have her dressed in a cyan dress.

[@ImCorrosive]

Not sure you you’ll see this, but thank you. That was very insightful. I’m curious to test this!

[@goat2503]

Really have enjoyed going through your videos, they have been a tremendous help to me, but not only that they’re extremely interesting. One of my favourite channels by a long way. I think being a colour photographer in the 1950s, 60s and even early 70s would have been incredibly interesting, especially when you factor in the colours that were being used, the world was quite literally a very colourful place back then, and many complimentary colours were being used in cars, cafes, diners, and even household appliances. If only they knew what their art would become to future generations. Really appreciate your insight.

[@KeithEmmerichDOTcom]

My favorite part of art is how we all see and understand it differently. It is always humbling seeing other peoples work and an amazing opportunity to grow and learn. Thank you for sharing their work and maybe you could include links to their websites in the post for further research.

[@TXGRunner]

I realize this is very old, but when you said the primary colors were red, green, and blue, I was taken aback. My mom, a lifelong painter with a fine arts degree always taught me the primary colors were red, yellow, and blue. Mixing red and green will not produce yellow, but mixing yellow and blue yields green, a secondary color. Later, I worked in a printshop and learned CYMK - cyan (process blue), yellow, magenta (process red), and 'K' for black. Later still, when I went into IT, I learned about RGB displays, but always assumed this was a technical limitation or approximation. Your video led me to look it up and I now find myself in the center of an interesting debate. Based on the cones in our eyes and the physics of color in light, the primary colors should be RGB, but in practice, 400+ years of artists mixing pigments proved the functional primary colors are RYB. Printers, choosing to use a "full color process" use CYMK which is very close to RYB. Unbeknownst to me, this has been a huge debate between physicist and artists going back to the early 20th century.

[@АнтонШимелевич]

This is not so much a debate but different color reproduction models based on the medium and how the light interacts with the medium. Look up the difference between additive and subtractive color mixing. In essence, displays are an active light source, so your default state is black and then you ADD light in colors - hence additive rgb mixing. Paper and canvas are passive and white, so you SUBTRACT colors and lightness with RGY mixing.

[@theartofphotography]

Maybe color would make a good masterclass live?

[@BananaDope]

I personally think so, but considering this only has 33 likes and 0 comments after 7 years, I don't think are that interested in it.

[@johnballantrae001]

Yes. When I watched the video in which you asked for suggestions, I wondered about asking for potted versions of some parts of the syllabus you used to teach. We, the audience, would benefit enormously. I'm not sure how we can give back to you.

[@beyond990]

Ted, really love to hear you talk about photography and how some of the great names looked at the world, your thoughts are helping me see the world in more detail and with better composition, thank you keep up the great work and inspiration.

[@5jh5]

Greatly appreciated. This perspective has given me a lot to think about as I push forward with my photography. Keep up the inspirational work Ted.

[@ICJackson]

Exactly what I needed at this point in my journey as a photographer. THANK YOU!

[@yapingliu1272]

Very useful and exactly what I needed thank you!

[@dominicstewart-guido7598]

In Saul Leiter's taxi photo, another indicator of the car being a taxi is the man riding in the back.

[@timbellow530]

Came for color theory stayed for the photographer/photographer lesson! Thanks for putting me on Saul

[@shutterbuginfinity]

Black and white photos so nice too

[@jordanbrazinski8260]

As a lighting designer, now photography enthusiast, this is incredibly helpful! Had no idea this site existed.

[@6884]

I definitely like how your style has evolved in the last 5 years :D

[@6884]

...meaning, glasses and stuff. the video itself is amazing regardless of anything!

[@theartofphotography]

I'll definitely watch out for it. Always loved his work…

[@Alexandahls]

Thanks for tackling this. Colour theory is an important subject that doesn't get enough attention in the photo community.

[@puupipo]

Very nice. I happen to have a color vision defiency (a minor one, fortunately) so Kuler is really helpful to me. And yes, color would be a great subject for masterclass live, I'd love to hear you expand more on color theory, different color spaces, differences between print and digital in terms of color, and "deconstruct" some famous photographs like you did in this video.

[@kazescarface]

Don't know if you did it on ''porpoise'', but I really liked how the main colors of the background(red/blue) play with your skin and eyes' color.

[@JorisKoolen]

This is great, these colour videos you've done over the years are super valuable!

[@cruising5to1]

Love these older videos. I've watching them and love the educational contect--not to say I don’t love the Zines, but I'm learning and love that you're educating.

[@shutterbuginfinity]

This is great enjoyed watching

[@DuncanLongden]

It is a table tennis table not a ramp, and of course the images were conciously created. As my wonderful tutor said, “a photographer makes a photograph, everyone else takes a photograph.“ R.I.P Roger Hickman.

[@trevorpinnocky]

The content you provide makes me a better photographer. That's what I've come to expect when I visit your channel, to find solid actionable information that helps me analyze what I'm doing and improves the way I shoot. Grazi.

[@guiwald]

I think the word you were looking for is "pastel"

[@jganun]

I want to know why, in a technical explanation, mixing blue and yellow paints as primaries produces green paint, as a secondary. You did mention red (primary) and green (secondary) as opposites on the color wheel in the video: and also the mixing of red and yellow paint as primaries to produce the secondary orange. I suppose the people who manufacture the paints would know all about it

[@TXGRunner]

I thought the same. Artists teach the primaries as blue, yellow, red. Printers use the very similar cyan, yellow, magenta, black (CYMK). Apparently (news to me), physicists measuring light color frequencies decided the primary colors are red, green, blue, even though mixing red and green in practice yields gray. So, do we believe the experience of 400+ years of painters mixing pigments and modern day printers producing full color glossies, or do we believe 100 years of physicists who never mixed a color in their life?

[@MikeFigueiredo]

Posted in 2013 still very helpful today! Thanks for the lesson!

[@Kleinbiology]

The content is great Ted. I am always interested in our videos. The 'gearhead' videos just lead to addiction!

[@johnballantrae001]

Fantastic - it's like being in one of your classes, I imagine. I like the combination of philosophy and practicality.

[@pixiedixie3187]

Ted, your videos are truly astounding , great lessons ! Thank you so much! Dany

[@dbalaji07]

Thanks a lot. Composition using colors is a fresh perspective something I have not seen covered a lot.

[@michael-4k4000]

So great TED!

[@JC2023HD]

You said there’s an app for this website. Can you tell me the name please? I couldn’t find it using the words “kuler” and “adobe”.

[@afrosymphony8207]

i cannot believe gordon parks isnt here!! his colour game is crazyyyyy

[@LeonardoVarasGuerrero]

Simple and very nice video! for sure interesting and inspiring

[@woodwardmj]

Great stuff as usual Ted - and an American who pronounces vase (almost) correctly!

[@prissylou1217]

Just out of curiosity, what would happen if you developed color film in black and white chemicals? or are the chemicals the same for both?

[@enochboateng8108]

i have really understand colour, in fact this video is loaded with clear stuff

[@MohanKumar-lv2sn]

So much info.... Nice one..

[@theartofphotography]

Thanks!

[@LenaCabana]

Thank you for your fantastic series! I am always waiting for next one! Big hug for it! :)

[@LenaCabana]

do you know where I can find this documentary because it is not currently available on BBC i-player? Thanks for recommendation!

[@JesusLopez-bi2il]

DR> HANS> is GOOD.

[@colbybailey_platty]

Green is not a primary color either!! Green can be made from yellow and blue... the 3 primary colors are red blue and yellow

[@miguelmagalhaes270]

he changed so much!!!!! amazing growth

[@felipevasquez4866]

I think thats a CMY wheel, with is the one paintors use, and the one photographers use is the RGB wheel

[@stephenvictor8961]

Thank you for your brilliant work. As always I learn and am changed by your contribution. Thank you!

[@10RLARA]

amazing content, I don't know how your videos don't have tens of thousands of views on them

[@Vegan_Touring_Cyclist]

Very good video. Thanks for the uploading. I'm a little bit tired from most of the photography channels.

[@seanballacchino3117]

Love your videos! Thanks man

[@unmistakablychinese6719]

Wonderful video!

[@baselb80]

the picture on 12:30 looks a lot like a painting?can this be replicated in photoshop and if yes how?

[@zahrashafiei113]

This was so helpful! Thank you so much!

[@ABWonderTV]

Thanks, it was very useful

[@lancmac]

Your explanations are GREAT... thanx for the video

[@reesmarkham2140]

Adobe Color Themes is no more now what do we do?

[@lesterguijarro3988]

thank you for this video it is very imformative, espeically since i am studying photography. could recommend some great color photographers to study?

[@ColoBeauPhotog]

need to watch a few times. great video

[@lisalawn1111]

Wow-- eye opening view of color! I learned so much from this video. Thank you teacher Ted :))

[@ohmeandmybigideas]

Your videos are always fabulous and so amazingly informative - thank you!

[@felixayala05]

Awesome video, thank you for always sharing great info.

[@raphaelrlfreitas]

Very informative video. Just loved it. Was trying to get a bit more knowledge about color theory and this helped me a lot. Thanks Ted. Love your content.

[@monikaza4009]

Thank You for this video it is very imformative and usefull for my students.

[@GoldenBloodyBeared]

very interesting series! thank you for the show!

[@HomeGypsy]

Thank you for this! I really would like to learn how to be more intentional about color in my photography. I am also a student at CreativeLIVE and we've been talking about this in the chatroom this week at PhotoWeek2015. I've been thinking seriously for a long time about requesting a CreativeLIVE class on Color Theory For Photographers and I'm now thinking about recommending you to teach it.

[@sam11985]

These videos are amazing

[@Bearhawk58]

Good video!

[@ashlyn9152]

Thank you for the video! interesting and helpful :)

[@John_Mason]

Just fyi, Adobe Kuler is pronounced 'cooler'.

[@anthonygarcia3157]

Thank you for this

[@Tennishead21]

Ted, this is brilliant! :)

[@sabymondal]

Awesome!!

[@gchamp727]

I love your videos. Very helpful.

[@melissahall7009]

Thank you for a great video

[@parso2011]

This was really helpful! keep it up mate

[@stephgoul]

Thank you so much. Truly inspiring stuff.

[@Decco6306]

TEAL AND ORANGE TEAL AND ORANGE

[@assses-3216]

Thank you for this video it's proved very helpful

[@Crashoverall]

thanks for the video

[@giannhsp222]

Nice video... you know! :)

[@ReXdefiler]

thank you soo much for this videos, awesome class as always ;)

[@huwpenson2678]

Christ !!! don't mention the Triads !

[@prehistoricpig]

You have such a beautiful voice. Oh and the content.. that exists :)

[@illuminate4203]

keep up the good work, praying for you, Christ be with you.

[@jennief2108]

Thank you so much )

[@StefonGrant]

Thank you

[@crytongammacrypt]

pink does not exist, does it?

[@duhast43]

Just discovered this channel and Im impressed by the content. Also impressed by how handsome you are, and thats really strange.

[@5jh5]

@Conor McDonald, we can only hope quality over quantity will prevail

[@TheSentientCloud]

Monochromatic: Refers to shades of blue.... shades of red.. or... grayscale. *trollface*

[@cloudstepper11]

There's a little app out there online called "KGamut" that works similarly to this. You can drop a pic into KGamut and it will show he color gamut of the picture. Very useful.

[@Kamikaziidare]

Okay that url has changed: color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/

[@TheMugfaker]

My thoughts exactly

[@ukmopsteruk]

Vic???? Vic????? where's Bob? lol

[@axelmak6868]

Slow down a bit!

[@fixitright9709]

I'm color blind, so now what!

[@bde1064]

I like what you are sharing with us, yet you are too fast :)