Knowing When to Ignore Color Creates Stronger Photos

Should your photos be in Color or Black & White? Knowing when to ignore color can help you create stronger photos by embracing the mood or emotion needed to tell your story.

Sometimes color is a distraction. Eliminating color can simplify your photos to reveal an entirely different message or feeling.

That doesn't mean converting your photos to black and white is a fix for a bad photo. I think most photos look much better in color than black and white. What's important is to know when color is part of your story, or if color is distracting from your story.

Elements of Color

When color works, it's often because of these three elements:

* Color Contrast / Complementary Colors

* Analogous Colors

* Bold Color

Color contrast includes colors at different parts of the color wheel. Here's an example from the Adobe Color Wheel:

Analogous colors are those close to each other on the color wheel:

There are other strong options, like Monochromatic, Triad and Compound color combinations. The trick is to recognize when your photo has color working for it, or when color may work against it. By keeping aware of strong color combinations, you may be able to arrange your composition to use color as a strong enhancement to your photo.

Bold colors tend to stand out from the rest of the background or other components of your photo. If it's a bold, complementary color – so much the better.

Elements of Shape

I attributed that quote to Joe Maisel on the podcast (and perhaps he's used it). The point is that people remember shapes before they remember color. Also, that color can distract the eye from shape.

Black and White tends to work best with high contrast and simplicity of form. When I see a bad black and white photography, it's usually because there are too many things competing for attention in the frame.

When you deal with monochromatic images, similar shades tend to make a mess. Stark contrast tends to make an impression when it doesn't have to compete with other shapes for attention.

Deciding Upon the Purpose of Your Photo

What kind of impact do you want to make with your photographs? Knowing when to ignore color is really about knowing what story you want to tell. Determine the impact you want to make. Pick a mood to convey.

Sometimes color is the story. If it isn't, try eliminating it to see if the photo is stronger without color.

Related Posts

The Dominance of Color

https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/

FREE Lightroom Presets by ON1

I mentioned at the start of the show that you can get a bunch of Lightroom presets for FREE from ON1.

Subscribe to The Photo Flunky Show

Thank you for listening to The Photo Flunky Show. Make sure you get every episode by subscribing.

iTunes – http://williambeem.com/itunes

Stitcher – http://williambeem.com/stitcher

Google Play – http://williambeem.com/googleplay

Blubrry –