Colors

Color works well as a tool for composition when you have very saturated colors to work with. Some of the best colors are those within the primary palette. Reds, greens, and blues, along with their complementary colors (cyan, magenta, and yellow), can all be used to create visual tension (Figure 8.9).

Figure 8.9. Blue and orange can have a calming effect when mixed properly.

Color also has the ability to evoke temperature, which can add to the atmosphere of your image. Blue tones, for instance, give off a cold or cool feeling (Figure 8.10); orange, yellow, and red tones are warm (Figure 8.11).

Figure 8.10. Blue color tones provide a cool feeling.

Figure 8.11. Yellows and oranges can be used to evoke warmth and a sense of happiness.