Colour Definition

Psychology of Colour
Colour - The property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light.

I believe that this image fits this definition Colour as there is a range of different colours and shades. There are also a range of different light levels which either intensifies or mutes the colours. 

Shadows also effect the colours and their shades. As you can see, some of the blocks create a shadow on the other blocks creating a different shade of the original colour. 


There are many ways of using colours in photography. By using them in specific ways, you can convey different emotions and even meanings to a photograph. 

Red is associated with blood, and with feelings that are energetic, exciting, passionate or erotic. Most colors carry both positive and negative implications. The downside of red evokes aggressive feelings, suggesting anger or violence.






Orange is the color of flesh, or the friendly warmth of the hearth fire. The positive implications of this color suggest approachability, informality. The negative side might imply accessibility to the point of suggesting that anyone can approach-- a lack of discrimination or quality.





Yellow is the colour of sunshine. This colour is optimistic, upbeat, modern. The energy of yellow can become overwhelming. Therefore yellow is not a colour that tends to dominate fashion for long periods of time.




Green In its positive mode, green suggests nature (plant life, forests), life, stability, restfulness, naturalness. On the other hand, green in some tones or certain contexts (such as green skin) might instead suggest decay (fungus, mold), toxicity, artificiality.




Blue suggests coolness, distance, spirituality, or perhaps reserved elegance. Some shade of blue is flattering to almost anyone. In its negative mode, we can think of the "blues"-the implication being one of sadness, passivity, alienation, or depression.




Violet is the color of fantasy, playfulness, impulsiveness, and dream states. In its negative mode, it can suggest nightmares, or madness.








I agree with all of these meanings and implications. I believe that colours do create different emotions depending on the colour itself and the shade of it. Many dark colours would evoke a somber, more menacing feel but brighter colours tend to portray happiness and joy.

Muted and Saturated colours
Muted - A Muted colour tends to be more dull and less saturated than other colours. They portray gloomy meanings and are usually used in more depressing photography.

Saturated - A Saturated colour is a more vibrant, intense colour. They are used in happier pieces of photography as they convey emotions of joy.


The image of Lily Allen contains many muted colours. These muted colours portray the sombre emotions present with the colours of Violet and Dark Blue. The photographer Nadav Kander, I believe, has chose to photograph Lily Allen in a way of sadness as this links to the music that she creates. The colours link to the emotions being portrayed through her facial expression and body language - She seems quite depressed, possibly lonely. Her body is slightly slouched and she has no noticeable facial expression that would portray an emotion of happiness. This image explodes with a sombre vibe.





This image of Britney Spears has a range of Saturated colours. All these colours create a jolly, upbeat vibe which also, like Lily Allen, links to the type music she makes. Britney herself is presented in a bubbly way with her colourful outfit. All the people in the image look like they're having fun, the colours intensify this emotion. If David LaChapelle had photographed this image with no colour, the emotion would change completely.


Complementary and Analagous Colours
Complementary colours are colours that are opposite each other in the colour wheel. These colour, when put together, create a contrast and allow for specific things to stand out.

This image of the frog and the petals is an example of Complementary colours working together. The frog completely stands out from the red petals as it's colour is that of a vibrant green. These colours are opposite on the colour wheel.




Analagous colours are a group of colours which are next to each other in the colour wheel. These colours work in harmony with each other.

These colours on the flower work in harmony with each other as they blend well which creates an ombre effect. It also creates a soft, calm effect.


Both of these examples of the use of colour appear mostly in nature. They do however appear in man made objects such as clothing for example.