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Digital Photography

The page supports the delivery of Digital Photography as a graduate course taught at the University of West Georgia.

Color

Definition

Color is defined as a visual attribute of objects that is produced by the way they reflect or emit light, categorized into primary, secondary, warm, cool, and neutral hues. The primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—serve as the foundation for creating secondary colors like orange, purple, and green through various combinations (Hilldale Public Schools, n.d.). Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow stand out with their brightness and lively energy, often making objects seem like they’re moving closer. On the other hand, cool colors such as purple, blue, and green create a soothing effect and tend to appear as if they’re moving back or fading away (Hilldale Public Schools, n.d.). Neutral colors, which include white, black, gray, and sometimes brown, do not appear on the color wheel and are known for their muted, earthy tones (Hilldale Public Schools, n.d.).

Understanding Color Theory

The Color Wheel:is a circular diagram that displays the relationships between colors. Developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666, it typically features primary, secondary, and tertiary colors (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.). The primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—cannot be created by mixing other colors, while secondary colors—green, orange, and purple—are made by mixing two primary colors. Tertiary colors arise from mixing a primary color with a secondary color, resulting in hues like blue-green and red-violet (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.)

  • Hue: The purest form of a color, often referred to as its "normal value" (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.)
  • Tint: Created by adding white to a hue, resulting in a lighter version (e.g., pastel colors) (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.)
  • Shade: Created by adding black to a hue, producing a darker variant (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.)
  • Tone: Formed by adding gray to a hue, resulting in a more muted version (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.)

Color Categories

Warm Colors include reds, or anges, and yellows. They are often described as vivid and energetic, reminiscent of the sun, and can create a sense of closeness (Native American Color Meanings: Symbolism of the Native American Indians, n.d.)

Cool Colors include blues, greens, and violets. These colors evoke calmness and serenity and are commonly used in spaces like bedrooms and hospitals for their soothing effects (Native American Color Meanings: Symbolism of the Native American Indians, n.d.).

Neutral Colors such as black, white, gray, and brown serve as the backdrop in color schemes, providing balance. They can unify diverse palettes or stand alone for a minimalist approach (Illinois State Board of Education, n.d.).

Cultural Significance

Different cultures assign unique meanings to colors, often influenced by natural elements and traditions.

  • Red: In many Native American tribes, red symbolizes life, earth, and sometimes war or death. The Powhatan tribes, for instance, used red in various ceremonial contexts (Color Meanings, n.d.) (Native American Color Meanings: Symbolism of the Native American Indians, n.d.).
  • Yellow and Orange: These colors represent power and divinity among some tribes. Yellow is linked to the sun and intellect, while orange is associated with energy and creation (Native American Color Meanings: Symbolism of the Native American Indians, n.d.).
  • Green: Symbolizing growth and nature, green is often associated with healing and fertility. In some tribes, it represents peace and life (Native American Color Meanings: Symbolism of the Native American Indians, n.d.).
  • Blue: While blue often signifies peace and wisdom, in some contexts, it can represent the spirit of death (Color Meanings, n.d.).
  • Black and White: Black generally symbolizes death or the unknown, while white is often associated with peace and purity (Native American Color Meanings: Symbolism of the Native American Indians, n.d.).

References

Hilldale Public Schools. (n.d.). Color: The elements of art.  https://www.hilldale.k12.ok.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/ 565f3ab905b1d/color.pdf

Illinois State Board of Education. (n.d.). Family and consumer sciences program: A guide to the Illinois learning standards for family and consumer sciences (Report No. L720011). https://www.isbe.net/CTEDocuments/FCS-L720011.pdf

Native American Color Meanings: Symbolism of the Native American Indians. (n.d.). Color Meanings. https://www.color-meanings.com/native-american-color-meanings/