The Art and Interactions of Color

Overview

In the introduction to William Eggleston’s Guide, John Szarkowski suggested, for the photographer who demanded formal rigor from his pictures, color was an enormous complication of a problem already cruelly difficult. Its failures might be divided into two categories.

The first category offered is described as black and white photographs made with color film – an inattention to the role and function of color.

The second category of failure is photographs made of beautiful colors in pleasing relationships – color for the sake of color.

Known for his rich and complex images of the American South, William Eggleston is considered one of the most important artists working with color photography. Curator Simon Baker explores the work of this master and pioneer of color in fine art photography.

In this module, we will:

Discuss and examine how Color can be used to contribute to how the photograph can be Visually Engaging as well as Intellectually Stimulating and Emotionally Responsive.
Discuss and examine The Art of Color, including Color Impression and The Color of Light (visual qualities of color), Color Expression (psychological/emotional qualities of color) as well as How Color Is Altered.
Present the 12-Hue Color Circle as well as discuss and examine The Meanings of Color.
Discuss and examine how The Seven Color Contrasts can be applied and used towards making photographs in color with intention and purpose.

Vocabulary | Resources

Vocabulary and guiding concepts about the theoretical principles and practical considerations and uses of color and grayscale approaches in photography:

Descriptive Color
The Color of Light
Grayscale as Another Color
Color Impression
Color Expression
How Color is Altered
- Hue
- Tint
- Tone
- Shade
- Saturation
- Luminance / Value

12-Hue Color Circle
Meanings of Color
The Seven Color Contrasts

Visually Engaging - something you may want to look at beyond a short glace.

Intellectually Stimulating - the photograph provides something for you to consider and think about, including a situation/circumstance, concept/idea and/or an issue.

Emotionally Responsive - the photograph may cause us to feel a particular emotion and/or create a psychological state that we may feel

Navigating Course Canvas Platform and Modules

To progress through the Module, you will need to do the following:

Complete each Page in Sequential Order
Click on Mark as Done Button before proceeding to the Next Page