The Influence of Color on Photography Composition

Conscious awareness and use of color in photography can dramatically enhance the impact of an image. Knowing a few facts about colors and how they interact with one another can make a huge difference to how we aim the camera to capture scenes that interest us.
When a light color is surrounded by a dark one it has the effect of confining the enclosed color, enhancing its clarity and richness. This can isolate an object from its background giving it a vivid crispness.




The viewer is left in no doubt as to the subject of the photograph.










When a color is surrounded by a light color, it appears to spread out into the light color and the strength of it seems lessened.

The yellow in the center of this white flower is a good example of this: it appears to be very delicate and faint, and gradually merges with the surrounding white.

This can be contrasted with the orange-red flower below, in which the yellow center appears to be very bright and well defined.
Colors may appear to change depending on the colors they are next to. The larger areas of color will have more influence over the smaller areas of color.



In this photo, the orange petals appear to be much more vibrant next to the darker color of the soil, whereas the petals surrounded by the light grey stone appear to be less striking.




When two shades of the same color are placed next to each other, each one makes the other look lighter and darker respectively. The bright green tree in this image looks all the more light and shiny compared to the dark green one in the background because the two colors are next to one another.

The stark repetition of alternating light and dark patterns can create the illusion of movement or dictate the direction of eye movement across the image.



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Pastel colors always appear to our eyes as being less vivid.



They give an image a more gentle touch.








Scenes displaying more monochromatic colors can present a very dramatic and yet peaceful atmosphere.