Project 52, Week 13, Color, Light, and Texture

This week take a picture that illustrates how color, light, and/or texture can add depth and dimension to a photos.

Lighting -

• Because the eye is drawn to bright objects, light in the background can direct the viewer through the photograph giving it an illusion of depth.
• Front lighting can lead to flat photographs with little depth or dimension; front lighting comes from in front of, and toward, the subject.
• Side lighting helps emphasize texture and dimension.  The source of side lighting is to either side of the subject, but you probably figured that out on your own, didn't you?
• Back lighting can add drama as well as depth and dimension.  Back lighting means lighting a subject with the light coming from behind the subject and toward the camera.

Texture -

• Texture is the surface appearance of an object. Is an object smooth? bumpy? wrinkled? pitted? rough?
• Even a small patch of texture can add varying depths to a photo. 
• Play with side lighting to increase and decrease the strength and depth of textures.

Color -

• Lighter toned areas seem to come toward you, while darker areas recede.
• "Color blocks" can outline areas adding dimension to a scene.  This of something as simple as a yellow dandelion blooming in summer green grass or a red cardinal on a gray-brown, snow frosted tree branch.  Think bigger - a blue lake in front of green trees in front of gray mountains.  Each element has varying hues and tones of the same basic color.

OK - I don't think I was very helpful with this week's topic, so check out some of the photos in the links below:

Suggested Reading and Photographic Examples

1. Texture and Color Value from North Penn School District; pdf files with many photos
2. Worm's Eye View by Carlo Berg from DeviantArt; one picture illustrating depth
3. Composition: Creating a Sense of Depth, See photo "Use of Light and Color
4. Composition and the Elements of Visual Design by Robert Berdan on photoinf; see the three sections Form - Light and Dark, Color, and Texture
5. Shading and Texturing by Jennifer Reynolds on eHow
6. Mountain Scenery Lighting and Tropical Beaches from Fodor's Focus on Travel Photography
7. Add Drama with Side Lighting from Advanced Photography
8. Composing with Color by Alain Briot from Nature Photographers Online Magazine