EX40 Yellow
Vivid Tree and Python at Botanic Gardens at Vivid
Look at the above photograph. Which colour do you see first? Which colour draws your eyes around the artwork? What about the one bellow?
Rain in the coloured lights at Vivid, Sydney.
According to colour psychology it is going to be yellow.
Just like our eyes are usually steered around an image by the whites, yellow is often the colour that steers our eyes around a colour photograph above other colours.
We are attracted to colours in their order of tone. Brightest first, darkest last. Yellow is consistently the brightest colour in the spectrum. There for it is the first colour we are attracted to in complex compositions with lots of colours. Of course it is dependent on the brightness, saturation, volume and prominence. Meaning that for it to work well, it needs to match the subject you are photographing in harmonious proportions. Subject and visual centre of interest, they need to be congruent with each other.
This week I want you to explore adding yellow to your photographs. Either taking photographs of yellow subjects or composing the yellows in a photograph to steer the eye around the yellows.
Concentrate on leading your eye around the photograph by the use of the hue yellow. Aim for balance and visual congruence.
Post your photographs and comment in the comments bellow. Feel free to post three or more photographs of your exploration of yellow in compositions.
Here are some more examples for you to ponder how yellow works in photography. Another source for understanding yellow is the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. I personally think he is a master of this particular colour with his stunning paintings.
Multiple exposure flowers at Hopewell, New Zealand.
Nude at sunset
Autumn in the Lake District
Yellow scarf
Autumn leaves Lake District UK
Goulburn flower bed
Orchid, Snowy Mountains
Yellow wooden door
Fargus, Arctic Beech, Cradle Mountain
Capital Hill, ACT
Wattle - Double exposure, one in focus the other out of focus
