Colour Composition

The red dune behind the tree is a perfect background for this simple composition. The red colour and the plain surface work well to emphasize the theme.

The tree dominates our attention because it is as large as it can be without
cropping the branches. It is positioned on the right of centre for two reasons:

1. the tree is leaning slightly to the left hand side.

2. The line of the tree trunk leads smoothly onto the left branch creating an
impression of order. Contrast the left branch with the one pointing to the right. Our minds eye receives the impression that the left hand side of the picture frame is more important.

This composition dictates that more room should be left on the left hand side as we view the image. The ground texture draws attention to itself but in my opinion, not sufficiently to become the most important part of the image. Because it is a narrow portion placed at the bottom of the picture frame, also works against it.

Colour Composition and as a main subject

We tend to take colour itself for granted. To many people, colour simply occurs as part of a normal scene, and only stands out in any special way when there is a particularly hue.

Colour can be expressive - it can create or enhance atmosphere. Three qualities make a colour: hue, brilliance and saturation.

Hue is what most of us mean when we say colour - red, or blue, orange and so on. Brilliance is the level of brightness, and although some hues can be dark or light, others are limited - there are no really dark yellows, and no pale violets.

The pure colours are those of the spectrum which can be seen in a rainbow. It is usually divided into three primary colours - red, blue and yellow.

The secondary colours are - green, purple, orange, which are their opposites. In nature the most vivid colours occur less often than most people think - but when they do, they can make a powerful impression in a photograph.

Softness and Subtlety

Pastels are more common than vivid hues, and in a photograph they can keep the attention for longer. They are not so obvious so the human eye goes over it many times scrutinizing and drawing conclusions. Part of the appeal is that the mixture of tints is not easy to recognize.

A thick cover of cloud will soften the colours like a filter, haze, mist or fog all take the life out of colours.

Colour harmony in a picture can be created by balancing similar colours, ( blue sky and green grass,) or by selecting the contrast of opposites. In the end there is no ideal way to combine colours - we are all different, what works with one person may not work with another.

Even if the photographer chooses a strange colour arrangement, all that it means is that most people will not share your taste - does that really matter? It doesn't if the photographer is just trying to please himself. If it works for you - that is fine.