Composition - Colour and Value

Playing with colour is important, there are basic principles for using colour in composition but colour is a complex and subjective thing. 

Value : chroma, saturation, purity, intensity

Areas of strongest contrast attract the most attraction. 

Value can create a mood atmosphere, genre or ambience for an image, for example an image with a lot of dark colours will probably be less uplifting than a colour using lighter colours. 
Contrasting values create a centre of interest. 
The relationship between values can be evenly spread or harsh. 

Basic value plans
light against dark
dark against light 
dark and halftone against light
light and dark against halftone

It is a good idea to make value sketches before making a picture so get an idea of which value combination works best for the image. 

David Foldivari

Foldivari has only used black and white here but has achieved an interesting compositional balance by selecting some garments to be dark, some left white with an outline and others have mark making on them making them a halftone. 

Peter P. Plasenica

I thought the images we were showed on Plasenica’s work during the session were beautiful, particularly this one here. I love the quirky angles of the piece and how the viewpoint is from the front but also from above. I think value has been considered well in this image because your eyes are drawn to the people because they have the strongest contrast of light and dark tones. 

Notan - Japanese concept of creating harmony and beauty within an image using light and dark. 

COLOUR IS SUBJECTIVE

One colour can have many different connotations, both positive and negative. Everyone sees and feels colour differently so it is best to learn through play. 

Consier using a colour palette…

Fashion and interior design are good places to start with colour palettes. 

Contrast, Accent, Compliment, Harmonise, Vary

Simple palettes are often the most dynamic. 

Disney

Adobe Colour CC

Matt Taylor

• Simple colour palette.
• Higest contrast is the boy’s clothing against the background and the dog so this draws your attention towards him. 

Ghost Shrimp

• Muted tones.
• Highest contrast is wherever the off-white is present.
• Main colours are orange and blue which are opposite each other on the colour wheel.