Unit Six : The Art of Photography
Primary colors: Red, Blue, Yellow
Primary colors: Blue, YellowThis may cause some flashbacks to elementary school art class, but let's start at the beginning: The orders of colors. There are three orders: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary colors. When working in RYB color, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. That is to say, they are the three pure colors from which all other colors are derived. If we take two primary colors and add combine them equally, we get a secondary color. Finally, a tertiary color is one which is a combination of a primary and secondary color. Below you will see a graphic which depicts these three orders using an RYB color wheel.
Primary Colors:
Red, yellow, and blue are what we call "pure colors." They are not created by the combining of other colors.
Secondary Colors:
A 50/50 combination of any two primary colors. Example: Red + Yellow = Orange.
Tertiary Colors:
A 25/75 or 75/25 combination of a primary color and secondary color. Example: Blue + Green = Turquoise.
Now, how do the orders of colors help a photographer? Well, by knowing the three orders, we can make decisions about which colors we want to show in frame. As this article continues we will explore how to effectively make those decisions to achieve the final look you are aiming for, but before then, let’s look at some examples of the three orders in actual photographs.
Figure 1a: Note the primary colors do not distract the eye from the subject. By using strong primary reds and blues, the subject is clear to the viewer.
Figure 1b: Strong secondary colors often add interest and can easily become a subject on their own.
Figure 1c: Tertiary colors are often used to create visual interest and make for other-worldly vibes.