4 Ways to Use Color More Effectively in a Photo

 

You think you know colors until you are asked to submit a photograph that mixes and matches fuchsia, taupe and teal. First of all, these colors are not particularly the best of friends and may not rhyme with each other. But that is the thing about free photo contests. They will try your very being! They will push you out of your comfort zone and get you to try things you would ordinarily not do. Color is wonderful enhancement to photographs. This article explores how you can use color more effectively to enhance your contest submissions.

Start with the lighting

This might sound obvious, but it is one of the simplest ways to show the color in your photo. The best light will improve your images and save you the time spent enhancing the image later. Dusk or dawn is some of the best hours these times of day to take photographs. The sun’s natural light during these times can transform an average scene into a captivating moment for your photo competitions submissions. Take advantage of the seasons – autumn with its orange glows and summer with its fiery yellow vibes. Spring is also a great time if you love colors, because there will definitely be no shortage of colors then. By the way, just a tip, black and white are also colors – take advantage of them too.

Color wheels are not just for kindergarten

Use that color wheel that you have been ignoring. For you to have the perfect color for different photo competitions entries you should have a working knowledge of contrasts and the color wheels will help you get these. You probably used a dumbed down version of the color wheel in kindergarten. There are many advanced versions and more keep being developed. This tool will make color combination so much easier for you. For instance, if you want to find a color that works well with turquoise, you will find it so effortlessly.  This way you can pick out colors that will not drown each other in your photo.

Colors equals to mood

Colors have a huge impact on mood. The psychological dynamics of colors have been well known by all artists from interior designers to painters. Different colors evoke different emotions. Knowledge of this is a powerful tool when you are preparing for free photo contests. You can make a haunted, rundown house look like a perfect playground if you add some yellow to it. Yellow is associated with friendliness and warmth. Add red lighting to that same photo and you make the house look even scarier.

Use a polarizer filter

This is most ideal for landscape and architecture photographers, but you can also find some use for a polarizer filter. Polarizers help eliminate unnecessary reflections in water or windows. While a beautiful reflection can be a good addition to a landscape scene a polarizer minimizes bright reflections on surfaces that you had not noticed. This helps improves the image saturation. For instance, it can make skies a deeper blue without distorting the texture and shape of clouds.