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

Equipment:

Camera: Nikon D300s

Lens 70mm

The first three pictures in this sequence were taken on a market holders stall.

The first picture for me is all about earthy colours and how the colour from the leeks blend with the colours of the parsnip which in turn blend with the potato, they demonstrate the harmony between the colours in the arrangement of the vegetables.

The second picture show two similar fruits but are as different in colour as they are in size and shape. The colour harmony however is still quite evident from the bright red hue of the small tomatoes to the orange/red hue of the bigger beef tomatoes.

The third picture is much more subtle but non the less for me still demonstrates colour harmony. You have to look a bit harder but because of the colour variations in the colour of the onion skin and the colour of the roots still evident, displays harmony through similar colours.

The fourth shot in the sequence demonstrates the warmth of the colours and also similarity between the the three colours.