How to use contrast color in photography.

Some photos are more attractive to the audience. These photos usually take advantage of the natural contrast produced by color matching. Let's see how to use contrasting colors to enhance images.

1, the application between color contrast

Please consider two kinds of contrast in photography-tone contrast and color contrast. When there are differences between the lightest and darkest tones in an image, no matter what tone, there will be tone contrast, white, black and gray shadows, and color contrast will occur when shadows of different colors are combined.

2. Contrast between complementary colors

Theoretically speaking, it is one thing to know the complementary colors in pairs, but it is another to make them part of your inner knowledge. There are many articles and books about color theory that are worth reading. Take some time to study the combination of different colors.

The colors on opposite sides of the color wheel are complementary. They will naturally form the strongest contrast and complement each other.

Step 3 start with a simple composition

The fewer colors in the image, the easier it is to get beautiful photos, which can immediately attract the attention of the audience.

This is a simple three-step exercise:

Step 1. Choose a solid color and a bright color object, and suppose there is a red teapot.

Step two. Find a background with a contrasting color. Another color of our red teapot can be green, blue and slightly blue shadows.

Step three. Merge and add details. Place the teapot on the background of your choice and add some bright details to make the image more vivid.

Practice a few more times, pay attention to the interaction of colors, and cooperate with the shooting attempt, you should be able to find an attractive palette.

4. Make images with two or three colors.

Another way to understand how colors work together is to place color blocks next to large solid color surfaces, keeping simple shapes and bold tones.

If you want to take portrait photos, please talk to the model about several solid color combinations of clothing. Suppose a red coat and a blue coat, choose a solid color position or a bright graffiti on a big wall.

If you like still life painting, please prepare several backgrounds with different bright colors, and choose an object with a certain color opposite to the background selected on the color wheel.

In the photo, the yellow lemon looks great against a dark blue background, especially under harsh light and strong shadows. The green thread bag keeps a simple tone and brings various tones.

5. Highlight the theme application with contrasting colors.

The main purpose of contrasting colors is to attract the attention of viewers and aim at objects, which is why complementary colors can be used to make objects stand out.

This technology can work even at low saturation. Yellow is not bright neon yellow, but it is still conspicuous against the blue background.

But remember, warm colors are more suitable for the main theme. Red or yellow objects on a blue or purple background look more beautiful than those on a red or yellow background.

6. Contrast with the surrounding natural colors

Go around the city and find interesting places with solid colors. For example, this is a red brick wall. Will be matched with the blue model.

Try to find the color contrast in nature. Many flowers, berries and birds have natural color contrast-red ladybug on a blade of grass, yellow and purple orchids.

7. Create vivid compositions with simple shapes and clean tones.

In order to better understand color contrast, you can do another interesting exercise:

Choose a bright object: a doughnut with pink icing, a flower, a lemon cut in half, a toy plane;

Cut out some simple shapes with colored paper: triangles, circles and squares. Let them vary greatly in size, but the color range is limited. Use bold colors, but organize them into a harmonious palette.

For example, you can select two complementary colors (blue and orange) and add two variables to them: darker or brighter shadows of blue and orange, or colors adjacent to blue and orange on the color wheel (yellow+green or purple+red);

Make a simple geometric composition. Start with the largest color point and the most important object, and then proceed to the smallest details. Notice how adding another triangle or color wheel changes the dynamics of the image.

8. Contrast monochrome tones

The simplest and most effective way to use color contrast is to add the opposite color to the monochrome palette. Usually, a monochrome color scheme can eliminate any distracting colors and focus the audience's attention on the texture and details of the object. However, if you add details of the opposite color, the image will start to work in a completely different way, destroying the harmony with this naughty element.

A red apple in green vegetables, a purple butterfly between yellow relatives, a blue plate and an orange coffee cup on the cup holder hide this special object so that the audience can find it and put it in reflection or shadow. Don't make the task too simple, it will make the photos more interesting.

9. Add embellishment with contrasting colors

Don't create an overall image in the conflict between two colors. Let the image be based on a single color, the details themselves will not attract attention, but the basic color can be used.

In the image, some brown and beige details are added to balance the color of the hand.

conclusion

Of course, you need to know these rules before you break them. Use bright colors and strong graphic elements. Or use soft shadows and subtle color contrast. Don't be afraid to try photography!