Color is more than a combination of red, green, and blue or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. It is a tool for non-verbal communication. Color in photography has symbolism and meaning that go beyond what you see, and your viewer's perception of the colors seen can be significantly enhanced as you learn to use color well.
Artists of all media use color to express emotion and mood in their works. Some colors create a very physical reaction (e.g., red has been shown to raise blood pressure). Other colors have a cultural reaction (e.g., in the United States white is synonymous with weddings, but in some Eastern cultures white is associated with mourning and funerals).
Colors follow trends as well. Avocado, a shade of green, brings to mind the 1960s and 1970s, at least in the minds of those of us who were adults during those decades.
If you want to evoke a certain emotion in your photography, consider these ideas:
We make many color choices almost intuitively. For example, if you want your photograph to be serene and calm, you would most likely not choose a bright red background. On the other hand, a person holding a bright red umbrella in a gentle and soft scenic photograph provides the image a little punch that makes the photo memorable. A photograph of a kayak paddler on a whitewater river will invoke more excitement if the paddler’s clothing and kayak are bright colors as opposed to neutral colors like black or tan.
The mind and eye perceive colors differently when used in comparison with and contrasted with other colors. For example, a white shape on a black background appears larger than a black shape of the same size on a white background; a light grey shape on white looks darker than the same color and shape looks on a black background. In a similar fashion, red appears very dark and without much brilliance on a white background, but on black the red radiates luminous warmth. A grey shape against ice blue has a reddish look and against red-orange it looks bluish. The photographer can use these effects for maximum impact when composing a photograph.
Not all compositions of color in photography need to be harmonious. Our sight is at equilibrium when viewing medium gray (or colors that combine to form medium gray), but when viewing color combinations that do not combine to yield gray, the colors are expressive and discordant in appearance. A picture with a one-sided and emphatic use of a color can have an exciting and provocative effect on the viewer.
People have different opinions of what colors are harmonious, and they may prefer certain contrasts and not like others. Take time periodically to review your photography to see if you have an unconscious preference for certain colors and combinations. Be flexible and attempt to work with all color combinations, since this will expand your artistic creativity.
Nature and scenic photographers must work with the colors they find before them. Summer trees are typically green and deer are brown, but a variety of color can be found in flowers, butterflies, autumn foliage, and other natural objects. Being sensitive to the impact these splashes of color will have in a photograph is what separates the artistic photographer from the person making snapshots. Placing golden aspen leaves against a bright blue sky can be captivating. Featuring the brilliant red cardinal flower in front of an out-of-focus green background is great, but re-composing to change the background to almost black, deep shadows will have the red flowers radiating.
To improve your knowledge and understanding, study color theory as presented to art students. Go to your nearest library to find books about the use of color and how it affects those viewing your images. The internet is also an excellent source of information on color and how to use it effectively. What you learn will help you become better able to use all of the aspects of the scene in front of your camera and will make you a better photographer.