In the 1860s, color photography theories first started emerging. However, it wasn’t until the 1890s that the first viable process was developed to capture a colored picture. By now, color photography has evolved, and so have its techniques.
Professional photographers now use colors in the photograph to tell stories. If you’re an amateur photographer, here are six pro tips you can follow for effective use of color in your photography.
1. Use Negative Space
The negative space of a photo is the space between and around the subject of your photo. When taking a colored picture, make sure to use negative space that makes your subject pop. Your subject’s outline should not only be prominent against this space; it should also be in contrast to it.
2. Combine Complementary Colors
Using a color wheel can take you a long way in color photography. Focus and sharpen colors that are directly opposite and equidistant to each other on the wheel. These colors are perfectly complementary to each other and give the sharpest contrast. This is especially helpful if you have two main subjects in your photo that you want to highlight.
3. Experiment with Analogous and Triadic Color Schemes
Analogous and triadic color schemes both focus on three colors. However, an analogous scheme uses three consecutive and adjacent colors on the wheel, while a triadic scheme uses three equally spaced-out colors.
An analogous theme works when capturing a landscape with subtle changes in the tones. On the other hand, a triadic scheme works best to capture vivid elements in a picture using contrasting colors.
4. Choose Appropriate Picture Temperature
Believe it or not, every picture has a temperature. The hues of the picture determine whether your picture can be considered warm or cold. Warm tones are most evident in reds, oranges, and yellows. Cold tones are mostly grey, blue, greens.
Select a picture temperature that goes with the theme you have in mind. Accordingly, focus on colors that will contribute to that temperature.
5. Think Monochrome
Be it sepia, greyscale, or any other monochromatic filter; sometimes fewer colors tell a better story. Monochrome filters use narrow wavelengths to capture the photograph in different shades of one specific color.
If you like your photographs to have neutral and soft tones, monochromes are your best friend. They avoid sharp contrasts while ensuring that all the elements of the picture are blended and connected.
6. Work on Post-Production
With new and advanced post-production photo editing software, you can alter your photographs to get your desired effect. If you can’t edit the pictures manually, you may also use pre-defined filters that help accentuate your desired colors.
You can also work on the photo’s color temperature, contrast, saturation, brightness, and hues to alter its final look.
Convert Color Photo to Art
Visit FotoKreations and let us turn your colored photo into oil painting, 3D embossed oil painting, and hand embroidery. The colors you use in your photography will become even more nuanced in the art we create for you.
At FotoKreation, we take photos and make art out of them for both local and international customers. We also make sure to deliver the handmade masterpiece within 8-12 weeks.
Check out our artwork and place your order on our website now. For details and further assistance, give us a call at 1-415-608-5796.