OCA The Art of Photography: Assignment 3: Colour harmony through complimentary colours

In this assignment you will show your command of colour in photography, being able to find and use colours in deliberate relationships.

You should be able to identify at least two kinds of colour relationship.

Complementary (colours that face each other across the circle)
Similar (those near each other, as in a cool or warm range of colours)
Colours spaced about a third of the way around the circle.
A fourth kind of relationships when one small area of colours sits against a much larger background of another colour as a spot or accent.

Take about four photographs each that illustrate the following colour relationships:

colour harmony through complementary colours
colour harmony through similar colours
colour contrast through contrasting colours
colour accent using any of the above.

It was initially difficult to get some inspiration for the this part of the course. With the weather turning more and more wintry and the colours of the landscape changing from lush green to more of dull greens and grays, the light was becoming flat, I had to think of alternative locations in order to find colour. It was then I found such a place while walking through Leeds city markets, all be it in somewhat of a staged environment. What was quite striking was the array of colours and products on display that otherwise might of gone unnoticed had I not been looking for subjects to photograph for there colour.

I also experimented with some still life arrangements in order to try and recreate the balance or mix of colours I was looking for. This to also presented its challenges as the majority of the time I was trying to create these shots on an evening and having to use artificial lighting in order to gain the required results rather than rely on natural light.

Colour harmony through complimentary colours

Equipment:

Camera: Nikon D300s

Lens 70mm
Flash Unit x 2
Tripod

The first shot in this sequence aims to display the Orange of the oranges and the blue flash at the back of the picture, I found this colour combination quite difficult to find naturally.

The second shot in the sequence is more of a natural colour arrangement all be it of still life. The bright red of the tulip head against the lush green of the stalk complements each other perfectly.

The third shot in this sequence again to me shows harmony as you have the green and the reds sitting opposite either end of this arrangement of felt fabric.

The fourth shot in this sequence I think just sits in this category, although not truly opposite colours I think the colours displayed in the shot do display some qualities of colour harmony with the blue background and yellowish/green lime against it.