Color is one of the most important elements of photography. Colors have power to change the feeling and emotional content of the picture. Hot colors like red and orange, can make the picture exciting and ready to explode, while green and blue gives the feeling of calmness and freshness. Concepts that symbolized by the colors are not limited with only one thing. As an example black can symbolize both elegance and death, that are too different concepts. To learn more about these concepts; read my other post about colors.

Colors can be used to draw attention to a certain point or subject. A brightly colored subject on a pale background will have the attention of viewers. If there are colorful objects in the background, they can divert the eye of viewers out of the subject to minor elements of the picture.

Search for the color contrasts when you are taking pictures. Contrasts that are including bright primary colors like red blue and green, can help you create dynamic pictures. In dynamic pictures with vibrant contrasts viewers eye jumps from one color to another, actually this is why it’s dynamic. Gentler color combinations of pastel colors can create hearth-warming, romantic images. while bright colors create a more organic and natural feel.

Other elements of photography can change how colors look in the picture. Such as temperature of the light and exposure. Underexposing the picture (one stop) increases the intensity of the colors, while over exposing (1/2 Stop) decreases the intensity of the colors. To learn about the effects of light temperature and light in different times of the day on colors; read my other post about colors

Examples;

In “Breeze” You can see that i prefered a background with yellow-orange and blue which make a good contrast. They are pastel colors thus they give a warm feel to picture.

In this picture, I left the statue (roots of the tree that crushed by a block in 9/11) in its original color and made confusing background black and white. That way th subject become more clear and isolated. (I did that by using an editing software.)

This example, one of my favorite and old pictures, contains feelings of freshness, calmness because of its colors. As i mentioned earlier, blue and green the colors of nature, symbolizes these concepts. Also you can clearly see the difference in this picture and the first one. In first one pastel colors creates a warm feeling while bright colors show the picture more organic and natural.