Colour:An Element of Design

Digital Photography UnitMs Gregory

Elementary Connected Classrooms

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Learning Intentions

1. To learn about the elements of design, specifically, colour.

2. To see and capture the element of colour in photographs.

2. To use the element of colour to create powerful images with digital photography.

Colour: Another Element of Design

• Often, colour is noticed first– other elements of design, like

line, texture, shape, etc., are noticed after.

• Colour is the element of design that most people are familiar with– Colour affects us all everyday– Most people have a favourite

colour

• Colour can represent emotion

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In Science, colour is defined as what you see because of how light reflects off a surface, or…

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…what you see as a result of coloured light sources, or…

…the colour spectrum visible when light shines through a prism.

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In Art, colour is an element of design that is often explained by the colour

wheel:

With the colour wheel comes colour theory:

Cool colours (purples, blues, greens) fade

into the background.

Warm colours (yellows, oranges, reds) pop out and demand attention.

Complimentary colours across from each other on the colour wheel, bring visual

balance.

yellow/purple

orange/blue

red/green

One key is to include fewer colours in a single photograph.

Your assignment: Colour1. Take several photos focusing on colour.2. Use the lesson ideas of focusing on one

colour or, if possible, a complimentary colour scheme.

3. Remember tips from other lessons:– Line– Texture– Shape– Perspective– Rule of thirds

4. Please behave appropriately if out of the classroom.

5. We’ll share out next time!6. Questions?

ReferencesAll photos accessed March 30, 2011 from:• http://www.flickr.com/photos/75887549@N00/310724

611/• http://lucaskrech.com/blog/index.php/tag/angle• http://www.flickr.com/photos/33475398@N00/145855

730/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/84337167@N00/176972

414/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/41864721@N00/540308

669/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/78747136@N00/293528

862/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/46308522@N00/140319

1853/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/

80992738@N00/560079629/

All photos marked with a * are my own.