Colour Theory Photographers Should know.

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Colour Theory is often overlooked by photographers, but it's important to understand in order to take more good photos, and to help photo editing too! In this video I look specifically at colour harmonies, including complimentary colours. Also I've got some new frames! Just not all of them...
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[@andrewpadfield1397]

May I "complement" you on another excellent video. It was "wheely" good. Sorry... I'll go now.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

haha, much appreciated Andrew :)

[@gideonfinley3018]

i know Im asking randomly but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost the account password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me.

[@arthurgrayson650]

@Gideon Finley Instablaster :)

[@gideonfinley3018]

@Arthur Grayson thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@gideonfinley3018]

@Arthur Grayson it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thank you so much, you saved my account!

[@sbimages5408]

Seen a lot of colour theory videos and this hits the spot, simple and clear.

[@S....]

I was searching the topic and found your video - never saw you before - and I must say I am blown by the way you talk about color harmonics and casually show your photos which are absolutly stunning!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much :)

[@nelehoremans2546]

You 'framed' the colour wheel/circle very well James! Loved this quick run through the different harmonies. Kind regards Nele

[@michaelmeehan9556]

Thank you James! This was informative and also a good reminder to be aware of color when we're out shooting or editing. Have a pleasant week. Cheers!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Cheers Michael :)

[@AndreiVaida]

This is the best video I've ever seen explaining the color theory. Thank you and great job!

[@ellyelzinga01]

Good video, very interesting! Even though I already knew about using opposite colors on the color wheel for making something stand out, I did learn new things. I did not know about the triangle or square! And I also learned to own jackets and shirts in every color possible, cause of course that would save time in Photoshop 😁

[@markrapien]

Love me some color theory! Great job running through some of the common ones for us photogs

[@9572100]

The lesson is really useful and easy to understand, thank you James 👍

[@hawaiianhaole]

Excellent. Feel like this video goes back to when I first started watching. This is very useful in for Grading as well!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome :)

[@aozoratran8436]

Your video is so easy to understand and helpful. Thank you so much

[@elclaudio1879]

scrolling thru comments and seeing how you've cared to answer 98% of them, I thought "my chances at ever getting a reply from a creator themselves on YT are actually good here!" So I've subscribed, commented and gone to watch some more of your videos... honestly, you're the photography teacher I've been searching for all my life!!!!

[@rbelatamas]

amazing short video ❤ thank you ❤

[@iankellam6440]

Just as my photography class goes into colour theory the sage that is James Popsys posts a vlog that helps enormously!! Have to agree that finding colours, especially triadic in nature is far from easy but thanks for our practical demonstration.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Ian, great to hear :)

[@CharlesPalmerPhotography]

A very nice and relaxed intro to colour theory, a enjoyable watch.

[@AdamDopierala]

This was a great video, James. I learned a lot!

[@SmartPhotoVault]

Impressed you had an image to cover all colour groups. Wheeley well explained mate 🙌🏻

[@thirdmort]

Color is definitely something I love seeing but rarely focus on, especially the theory part. I think you've inspired me to work on that for the next little bit!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome :)

[@wolfgartom]

I wouldn't have noticed the lack of a frame if you hadn't've pointed it out lol

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Purely because what I’m saying is so gripping by any chance?? 🤣

[@lyndapassey2752]

Thanks James for a very helpful video. I had seen the colour wheel but didn't know very much about colour theory. Thanks for the explanation.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks for watching Lynda :)

[@johnashcraft9410]

Very informative video James, a great topic for me

[@don7117]

Great video. Basics and well explained. Thanks!

[@user-bk9ds5hw2q]

It's really useful! Thank you for your sharing

[@annettesolis]

Nice cover of the basics. The visual was helpful too, nice vid bro.

[@PosudjenaKnjiga]

Your approach to colour theory with cut circles and printed colour wheel is actually brilliant! I make photos and drawings and I'm totally stealing that from you! It would help me a lot when planning my future artworks

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome to hear :)

[@ryanbeer5262]

Quick refresher never hurts. Nice to see the wall coming together. Glue& couple of clamps, or string & pencil as a quick substitute. Unless the glass is broken!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Cheers Ryan :)

[@eileen8780]

That was extremely helpful, thank you!!

[@martinhommel9967]

Thank you, James. Good explanation and food for thought as always. Stay safe :)

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks for watching Martin :)

[@advancelast1740]

Very easy to listen to and instructive. Thank you. i will definitely be printing a colour wheel.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Sweet! Thanks for watching :)

[@bobmcdonald4834]

Really helpful. Thank you James 😊

[@artieghosh529]

james you have a wonderful and engaging speaking style, it's candid, friendly, and entertaining. it's the same vibe as Bob Ross.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks mate, I love watching Bob Ross videos :)

[@jsimes1]

Maybe someday college students will make a drinking game out of James Popsys videos! Every time James says something witty do a shot! 😁

[@philipculbertson55]

Excellent summary. The only thing I'd add to your discussion on helping in editing is that with the color grading tools Lightroom, understanding color theory greatly helps add subtle tints to shadows, midtowns and highlights based on the dominant scheme. That of course adds just a little more visual weight to the particular color scheme. Lastly, I'd point out that understanding color harmonies also helps add emotion to your images. For example, complimentary color schemes often portray an energetic, happy feel whereas analogous schemes can really add a calm, peaceful feeling. As you said, you get what you get in nature but understanding how emotion and colors relate can aid in storytelling and conveying the emotion you wish to achieve.

[@will.surreal]

Thanks for this tip

[@glennsz]

Thank you man! This helped a lot!

[@ShonSayfuddinov]

Great video as always James!

[@NickKersting]

This was extremely helpful! Thank you!

[@aayankrishnagogoi8841]

I m really grateful for this video I love it.❤️🔥🔥

[@joerobbins9120]

thank you for this info, this is all part of photography

[@96gaant]

Thanks James, this was really helpful

[@dandanjoe]

Thank you for explaining this. I’ve been stuck on color theory on my photos..

[@ronniepaloma3124]

VERY NICE , CLEAR, DIRECT TO THE POINT VIDEO

[@giannitromba]

Nicely explained. Thank you!

[@gilbertwalker6769]

Thanks James for your clear explanation of the color circle, I mean wheel!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

haha, thank you :)

[@Ginette688]

Thanks. I learned more on color theory! I love your photos!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Great, thanks for watching :)

[@jjp600]

Very good explanation of color theory mate!

[@islandbyfilm]

Fantastic Video. Thanks for sharing.

[@JimiCanRead]

Would love more of this kind of vid!

[@cindacurtis]

This was very helpful!! Thanks

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

helpful. informative. enjoyable. your YT vids are often a pleasure. thank you for the effort and the sharing. i am an appreciative subscriber. stay well. thumbs up.

[@forfreedomssake4315]

Thanks. i like your (subtle) sense of humour.

[@richardharris3911]

Thanks James. After your last two videos taking pictures around town, I’ve been looking for blue and yellow combos. Turns out I found red, blue and yellow today at Shoreham port...triadic!! Thank you, always love your videos 👍

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Richard, great to hear :)

[@markwillride]

Thank you for creating and posting this. Yes, I have actually considered going out my door with a color wheel with me and yes I just might influence my senior photo clients on what colors to wear based on where we go to shoot. 99.9% of the photos I have taken in my life have been the things in front of me and most of that has been to document some event. And most of my editing has been aimed at reproducing reality. I'm just now looking at influencing the colors to make better looking photos when the subject allows it. For something like a wedding, I think the skin, flowers, and fabrics should be represented as accurately as possible. But now from videos like yours I'm seeing that sometimes aiming for true to life colors might not be the best.

[@chrichro1613]

Nice video, now i have to check my favorite photos and try to find if there is a pattern in the color wheel, that i unconsciously prefer.(also i am colorblind)

[@robingrant8082]

Very simply yet well explained James. Thank you.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Robin :)

[@neilcole3406]

All good information James!

[@kapilbhallafoto]

Very well explained, kudos

[@daishi711]

Thanks I’ve been waiting for this exact video!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome! :)

[@AndyLSB]

This is Something I haven't exactly consider, always go with my gut and taste and surprisingly I've ended up with great results (for me at least) but it is something I'll consider more, very useful video James, thanks mate !

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome - cheers Andy :)

[@GeoffCooper]

Really useful video that has got me thinking more about this - thanks :) Thinking leads to questions and I would really like to see some examples of images where the colours /do not/ conform to one of these colour patterns has a negative impact - like showing a side by side comparison of the same shot with something where you'd changed the colour in post to make the point... Follow-up video?

[@rob9386]

Love this for editing. It's even nice just to make complementary colours pop.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Great to hear Robert :)

[@annemariebaltus5042]

Again a very educational video! Thank you for sharing.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks for watching too :)

[@ziadhefni2723]

Love the videos man!!

[@playingreverie5488]

Another super helpful video 🙌🏼 and I love how you take your internal monologue and share it with us 😂 genuinely enjoyable to watch your content 👌🏼

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome to hear :)

[@rnavarrete1956]

Greetings from Oakland, CA. Thanks for this. I have been interested in learning a bit about color theory lately. Your introduction was clear, to the point, and well presented.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much, great to hear :)

[@davidcoleman2868]

Really enjoy your videos James. Always a good bit of self deprecation, never consumed by your own celebrity as some KZbin photographers have gone. You still give great information which is why we follow you. PS I tried a landscape the other week with complimentary colour wheel. Green and a pinkish hue.....it looked awful, so I went Black & White 🤣😂. I often find colour is too busy so end up in Black & White. Cheers James.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks David :)

[@malcolmfoster6266]

Great run through! Now I have more terminology to try and keep in my brain for as long as it will allow.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Haha, cheers Malcolm :)

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Rather interesting there Professor! 😂🤣👍👊 Thanks for the knowledge!

[@onemanandhisfuji]

Great video James, exactly the information I needed :)

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome! Thanks for watching :)

[@NextScamdemic]

I once tried slogging throught Johannes Itten's treatise on color theory. The drudgery! Your video is way better

[@trouwfotomakerij]

Very informative video. Thanks James!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks for watching :)

[@garymorrow9324]

Solid vid.....now I get it....just need to practice it

[@joycady8325]

Very useful, thank you James!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Joy :)

[@ozeran]

awesome video. thought I know a bit of Color Theory but in this video I learned so much

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome! Thanks for watching :)

[@grantaday]

Thanks James! This was really helpful.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Cheers Grant :)

[@paulcollingridge8387]

I fail almost all the Ishihara colour perception tests, as do many, many men.. BUT I can see complementary colours, so you had me up to there! 😉

[@patjustpat5014]

Thank you, I've added a fluorescent orange jacket to my kit for all my subjects to wear when I'm shooting in the forest.

[@Retset]

Took a photo of a few crocuses in the garden yesterday. After watching this video, I masked out the flowers, applied a purple tint to the grass, to make it less green and a bit more complementary and amplified the purple in the stems. Not opposites on the wheel but 'more opposite'. Hey presto - a nicer photo! Cheers James.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome to hear :)

[@TheLadyteesha]

Blue top, yellow-orange light. Nice little complimentary in action

[@20neringita]

Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks for watching :)

[@mikejankowski6321]

Despite the lack of sheep, this was another great visit with Professor Popsys. Jam-packed with salient information, clearly explained, and supplemented with examples and visual aides at every step. Well done and quite enjoyable to watch.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Mike :)

[@michal_czech]

This was way more helpful than I expected! You have my sub.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome, cheers mate :)

[@andyprime56]

Lovin the triadic theme James, suits you sir.....

[@carlpaulin]

I really enjoy your videos,keep up the good job :-)

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Carl :)

[@ashleyfrancis2903]

As a beginner this video was invaluable. Subbed!

[@roved998]

James, that's it, you've convinced me of printing a color wheel for editing help

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome! :)

[@brianmckeever5280]

“Color Circle” is no “Pixel Badger”, but still fun to watch and interesting! Keep ‘em coming!

[@stevemccrory9130]

Colour Squirrel!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

haha! Thanks for watching again Brian :)

[@zkw100]

I’ve been wanting to see this sort of video for a while, so thanks. It would be great to see how this applies to editing photos using colour grading in Lightroom and the like.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks for watching Zoe :)

[@SamiPaju]

That was helpful. Hope not required. Thank you for this! :)

[@samwilliams3966]

Great video! I definitely need to try this in my photography more... I hope this doesn’t come across as pretentious but us artists prefer ‘spectrum opposite’ to ‘complementary colour’, the latter now being considered inaccurate...

[@MrMoonpie001]

That was the best explanation I have ever heard! Moonpie

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome :)

[@sgpatt1969]

And a nice purple and orange wall in the backdrop to prove your point.

[@dehitstv6598]

thanks So much

[@kristijanfranjoivancic6769]

WoderFULL! Thanx!

[@emanuelabel8712]

Love the video

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you. 👍📷😎

[@hitsounds]

Follow about 15 photography channels. - safely say this is my fav. Props for maintaining content in the days of lockdown..

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it :)

[@garethjones5068]

Literally just downloaded a colour wheel app a minute before this video was posted!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

How’s that for timing!

[@garethjones5068]

@@JamesPopsysPhoto Tell me about it! I was looking at it thinking 'what the hell is triadic?!' then your video popped up

[@filipivan5125]

Google AI scary shit.

[@lisarobertson7011]

thanks James - some great info here. Cheers :)

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Lisa :)

[@richardturner81]

Great video James 👍🏻

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Cheers Richard :)

[@jimfok4343]

Very good use of visuals and examples! Thanks for the theory and application. - Elaine (retired teacher)

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Elaine :)

[@mrkleanup1872]

Great video