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ActionCards Spot Color

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162 views1 page

ActionCards Spot Color

Uploaded by

msrxnmnqqoidvqgrse
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CREATING CATCHY IMAGES WITH

SPOT COLOR
Total time:
3-8 hours
PHOTZY.COM
Skill Points: Our brain is trained to spot, and identify, colors. We tend to
• Identifying spot colors
assign certain mental and physical reactions to color. By placing an isolated
within a scene color within a broader scene- a viewer cannot help but look at it, and evaluate
• Using spot color within a it. The art term for this tool of composition is called ‘Spot Color’.
composition
• Creating a spot color KEY LESSON: Certain colors are considered ‘power colors’ when
situation evaluating their visual weight. Two of the most common power colors
• Experimenting with
are red and yellow. Any color, however, will make a suitable ‘spot color’
different spot colors in a if it stands out from every other color within the image area. Even power
color scheme
colors can be subdued by another color, based upon the composition.

Ladybug: You can find ‘spot color’ in nature all around you. The color of the ladybug warns predators that it doesn’t
taste good. It’s a warning. When the bug is in its natural environment, such as grass, it stands out.
Hands & Candy: Can ‘spot color’ be useful when a scene is filled with all kinds of colors? Absolutely! The key is that
one color needs to be dominant. In this shot, yellow is the dominant color. The photographer used this power color
to draw the eyes to the hands! Take notice of how many yellow candies there are in the hands, and also how many
of the yellow candies frame the hands.
Flowers: Can spot color be used when there is a lack of any other color in the shot? Yes! In fact, this is an area where
spot color really shines. If you’re new to using spot color, start by setting up a shot similar to this. Experiment with
different colors and see which colors work best.
Man & Basket: Which color becomes the spot color? This depends on your overall composition. In this example, the
red foliage is the spot color due to its placement in the image. Despite all of that yellow color, the eyes go to the red.
Ferris Wheel: Spot color can also work really well when it is simply surrounded by black or dark tones. This is often
utilized in street photography and night scenes.
Girl In Red, Blue, & Black: Spot color has a very graphic quality. Don’t be afraid to experiment. This is one of those
techniques where you can go wild and still get away with something interesting. Try introducing spot color not only
in the shooting phase, but also in the post-production phase.

ACTION ASSIGNMENT!
1- Shoot a naturally found spot color subject that includes only one other color (think of Ladybug and Ferris Wheel).
2- Create a still life shot with a spot color and making the rest of the frame neutral (think of Flowers).
3- Shoot a spot color scene with many other bright colors (think of Hands & Candy and Man & Basket).
4- Create a very graphic and somewhat abstract spot color shot (think of Girl In Red, Blue, & Black).

HOW DID YOU DO?


• Did you successfully photograph spot color in a natural environment?
• Were you able to create an eye catching still life using a spot color and a neutral background?
Which colors worked best?
• Did you create a multi-color shot where the spot color stood out AND enhanced the visual weight of the
subject? Were you able to create a highly graphic shot that attracts visual interest?

READY! SET! GO! ACTION CARDS - COMPOSITION: SPOT COLOR

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