Colour theory in photography

When we study colour we can get confussed, we need to define what system of color we are looking at!

Aesthetics and Design

In design and aesthetics where we are looking at the relationships of colours within an image - a photograph, print, painting.

The key Colours are

Red
Blue
yellow

These are called the primary colours and we can design and or analyze an image on where there colours are placed within the frame and the ratio of the frame they occupy.

Photoshop

However, in photoshop we are concerned with the control of colour within the image and for this to work here we use a different colour system.

the primary colours are:

Red
Green
Blue

we see these on the right hand side of the control bar in the image

while the secondary colours are:

Cyan (this is placed opposite red because there is NO red in cyan)
Yellow (this is placed opposite blue because there is NO yellow in blue)
Magenta (this is placed opposite Green because there is NO green in magenta)

Colour enlarging - mixing light

Then in analogue negative colour enlarging of a photograph through an enlarger we have white light which we control with a set of filters- so we are looking at mixing light and we use:

Cyan, Yellow Magenta, which takes away from the white light

Colour filter controls of a colour enlarger

Painting

However, in graphic arts like painting we have a different system again - when we mix the three primary colours red - blue - yellow we have a dark brown

Want to learn more? - do a workshop or one on one with Lloyd Godman