Exercise: Primary and secondary colours.

For this exercise we are to find scenes or parts of scenes which are dominated by one of the primary and secondary colours. With each colour that we find we then have to vary the exposure slightly. Our first photo should be taken as the meter reading indicates, the second 1/2 a stop brighter and the third 1/2 a stop darker. our next job is to then select the photo that matches most closely to the colour wheel.

I first had to change the setting of my camera so that I could make the 1/2 stop adjustments as it has a default of 1/3 stop. This exercise is taking me quite a while to complete. My first problem has been the light as I do shift work and there is only a small window of "good" light available in the day and have therefore taken all of my shots using the built in flash. I have also struggled a bit with finding objects that have the desired colour. This has meant that some of my photos taken have been quite staged rather than me coming across them out and about.

Thinking about the point of the exercise and my expected outcome, I think that I will find that the slight underexposed shots will match the colour wheel most closely.

I think that it is important to note that colours in photography can appear different when placed next to other colours.

Red.

"Red is visually one of the most insistent, powerful colours, and immediately attracts attention"

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm +0.5 EV

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm Metered exposure.

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm -0.5 EV

The slightly underexposed example matches the colour wheel the closest.

Orange.

"Orange is the mixture of yellow and red and absorbs some of the qualities of both. it is brilliant and powerful when pure."

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm +0.5EV

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm Metered exposure

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105 mm -0.5 EV

I also think that by comparing the colour of the orange peel, the underexposed image again matches the best.

Yellow.

"Expressively, yellow is vigorous and sharp, the opposite of placid and restful".

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm +0.5 EV

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm Metered exposure.

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm -0.5 EV

Remaining consistent here, the underexposed is closest but still no where near the colour wheel really. it is not bright and vibrant enough to really match.

I then decided to change what I was photography and have instead gone for a yellow pepper as it already looks closer in colour to the colour wheel.

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm +0.5 EV



1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm Metered exposure.

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm -0.5 EV

I feel that the pepper has been much more successful and I actually feel that the more overexposed image is closer in colour to the colour wheel example.

Green.

"Green is the colour of growth".

I found green probably the hardest to photograph as there are just so many different shades of green. Also with it being Winter now it has been hard to find just the right green. I have had to settle for using some grass/moss. I felt that I was in a bit more of a rush shooting this colour as I really had to pick my time, we have had so much rain and some snow plus the light has been awful.

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm +0.5 EV

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm Metered exposure.

1/200s f8 ISO 200 105mm -0.5 EV

The underexposed shot is probably the closest but as there are so many shades of green in the image it is rather hard to assess. If shooting this colour again I would probably pick a closer match to the wheel in the first place, and also pick something where the shade of green was more consistant.


Violet.

"It has rich and sumptuous associations but can also create an impression of mystery and immensity".

1/200s f8 ISO 200 42mm +0.5 EV

1/200s f8 ISO 200 42mm Metered exposure.

1/200s f8 ISO 200 42mm -0.5 EV

I am very disappointed with how the violet has turned out as the coat actually matches the colour wheel closely but for some reason photographing it has brought out more of a blue shade. I think that I am going to have to re shoot this one if I have time. Every item that I have found that is violet is coming out blue. and I am not entirely sure why.

Conclusion.

I have actually found it quite difficult to match the colours to the colour wheel I have been using. This exercise has however made me more aware of colours and and shades of each colour. I have also learnt that by even altering the exposure ever so slightly it can make a big difference to the colour that is then produced. Also I have really noticed how a colour can be perceived differently with a different colour background behind it. The time of year has also made me realise what a huge affect the light can have on photographing colour, particularly with the lack of it.

All quotes taken from the Basic Colour Theory course supplement.