NOTES 9 COLOR THEORY Color Temperature White Balance Color Space And a few other tidbits about color
Introduction to Color Theory There are several parts to Color Theory Color Temperature Color Balance Color Space Color Composition and Psychology In digital photography we deal with each one so let s start at the top
Color Temperature A Few things to remember about Color Temperature Color Temperature is measured in degrees on the Kelvin scale It is derived from color changes in a black body radiator as it is heated. The color of the carbon at specific Kelvin degrees is called by the temperature Color Temperature usually refers to the color of a light source.
Color Temperature Here are several very common color temperatures used by photography.
Color Temperature The most important is Daylight at approximately 5600 Kelvin
Color Balance Color Balance refers to the match between The Light Source and The Capture Medium (Color Film or Digital) If they MATCH the color in the image will be correctly rendered.
Color Balance For Example. Studio shot: Camera set to Tungsten If color is in balance that is, light is 3200 and film/chip set for Tungsten.
Color Balance For Example. Studio shot: Camera set to Tungsten If color is out of balance e.g. household lights were used (at 2800 instead of tungsten hot lights
Color Balance For Example. Studio shot: Camera set to Tungsten If color is out of balance e.g. Electronic Flash was used (6000 )
Too Warm Too Cool Instructor: David King Balanced dking@sdccd.edu
Color Balance Digital cameras refer to balancing color as White Balance White Balance can be set several ways By Type of light as a menu selection. By the Specific Color temperature of the light (if known) By doing a custom white balance.
Color Space In Art Classes, you are taught that the primary colors are Red, Yellow, and Blue. In Photography the primary colors are Red, Green, and Blue.
Color Space Color space,, also known as the color model (or color system), is an abstract mathematical model which simply describes the range of colors as multiples of numbers, typically as 3 or 4 values or color components
Color Space We usually see this arranged as a color wheel Primary colors are RED GREEN BLUE Secondary colors are CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
Color Space Here are TERTIARY colors
Color Space Each Color can have luminosity (Dark to Light)
Color Space Color Space also refers to how many colors can a given medium render (usually compared to typical Human Vision). Colors have both Luminosity y and Chromacity y Luminosity = how bright (from black to white) the color is; also called the shade of the color from dark to light. Chromacity = what the color or Hue is e.g. red or blue Color Space is primarily about The Chromacity Various color spaces are graphically rendered as 2-dimensional area graphs for comparisons.
Color Space CIE LAB Space represents all of the colors the typical human eye can identify.
Color Space srgb is the color space that can be rendered more or less accurately by the World Wide Web, E-mail, and other online applications.
Color Space Adobe RGB is a larger color space that can be rendered more or less accurately by many printers.
Color Space Some other Color Spaces are often used by photographers. One that is especially richer in the warm colors is ProPhoto RGB. It is not available for capture but can be used in editing by converting the file to that space. If your camera allows, set the Color Space to ADOBE RGB to capture the widest range of colors available to it. CMYK color space is reserved for images destined for reproduction on printing presses
Color Composition Another Lecture will cover composition generally. But there are some added influences from color. Color should be used when the color itself is an important part of the image s story. Adding color to the image has an influence on the emotional response of the viewer. For example
Color Composition Cool but bright colors (blues and greens) are calming to the nervous system In Landscapes, for example
Color Composition Cool but darker colors (deeper blues and even violets ) are cold like ice but can be regal.
Color Composition Warm colors (Reds and Oranges) excite the nervous system, increase heart rate and breathing.
Color Composition Yellows are open and welcoming like afternoon sunlight.
Color Composition You can use specific combinations of colors based on their locations on the color wheel to help with your message To really draw attention to a subject or area of the image, use COMPLIMENTARY colors. These are colors that are across from one another on the color wheel.
Color Composition You can use specific combinations of colors based on their locations on the color wheel to help with your message A softer approach is to use ANALAGOUS colors. This is a family of colors that go well together. These are colors that are close to one another on the color wheel.
Color Composition You can also use specific combinations of colors based on their locations on the color wheel to help with your message Another combination to look for is a TRIAD of colors. These could be the Primary colors Secondary colors, or Tertiary colors.