Color films, matching film to the temperature (Kelvin (K)) of the light
source, the effect of filtration upon them, and storage conditions are also
discussed.
PART A - THEORY OF LIGHT, ADDITIVE AND SUBTRACTIVE
PROCESSES, AND COLOR CHARACTERISTICS
Color photography is the art of making a photograph that faithfully
represents the subject in form, tone, gradation, and color.
Color brings
life, realness, and depth to a picture more than any other photographic
phenomenon.
Color is natural because we see in color.
While black and
white film is sensitive to the frequency of the light, the shades of gray
produced do not represent a specific color.
For instance, it is possible
for black and white film to produce the same shade of gray for green and
orange, thus hiding oranges in the trees. Color helps identify an item in a
photograph, such as the girl in the red dress.
Color can show condition,
such as the green and ripe red apples. Color can represent a mood, such as
a blue day.
Colors express mode and mood. Cleverly using color will help bring out the
thought behind your photograph.
Everyone does not interpret colors the
same; therefore, do not accept the following color interpretations as fact.
Use them as guides to improve the photographs you take. The interpretation
of color is often a function of culture. For example, in the U.S., white
often portrays purity, while in India it symbolizes death.
The following
examples represent the general color interpretation within the American
culture: red depicts anger, excitement, danger, passion, and heat; blue
portrays quiet, cold, sadness, and truth; green is relaxing and makes
objects appear lighter; black is depressing and may give an impression of
death and disaster.
Color cannot be perceived in the absence of light.
In a very dimly lit
room, all objects are various shades of gray. Is gray a color? Gray is a
degree of whiteness or a degree of blackness. Color is perceived by the eye
and the lens by the amount of light the item reflects.
Black objects
reflect no light; thus no color. White objects reflect all colors. Light
not reflected is absorbed by the object.
Gray is a dark white or stage
between white and black, but not a single color. Color is light, so let's
begin our discussion of color photography with radiant energy of which light
is a form.
1.
Radiant Energy.
Various types of radiant energy affect photographic materials.
To consistently produce high-quality photography, we must
know something about radiant energy, what effect it has on the
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SS0514
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