CHAPTER 6

Color is quite possibly one of the most visible yet overlooked elements of photography. We know it’s important, but especially for those starting out, it can take a backseat to camera functionality, exposure, and general composition. Yet, color is one of the most malleable facets to consider for all photography, especially portraiture. It’s important to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of setting up the perfect light and composition for your portrait subject and consider the overall color of your image.

This chapter encourages you to consider how color applies to your portraits in two different ways. The first is how color appears to us objectively, or theoretically, as a product of the visible electromagnetic spectrum. The second is how we infer meaning from color subjectively: how color can elicit certain emotions and relate to your subject.