Color Theory in Photography by Yaopey Yong

Discover the magic of color composition in photography by learning harmony rules and color psychology to create images that evoke emotion
“When someone looks at a photograph an emotional response is triggered, and this allows for a very human experience.”

Color has the ability to transform the way we perceive an image—it is the unifying element when crafting the composition of a photograph. In this course, award-winning photographer Yaopey Yong teaches you how to understand color and apply its fundamental principles in your photography.

Explore the world of color theory both as a science and as an art form. Understand how we perceive color and learn the psychology and harmony rules behind it. Discover different camera and image editing techniques to emphasize color in every photograph you take.

What will you learn in this online course?
Begin by getting to know Yaopey. As a surgeon inspired by the beauty of life, he tells his fascinating story about how he got into photography. He also shares his diverse influences that have helped shape his style.

Dive right into the fundamentals of color. Yaopey elucidates on how we perceive color on an anatomical level. Then, understand the different types of color wheels before learning about hue and saturation. Discover the concept of color harmony and the psychology of color by analyzing themes and palettes in Adobe Color.

Learn how to capture raw images in a way that tells a story. See how to get the most out of your camera by hearing Yaopey’s tips and tricks. Next, Yaopey walks you through his process when using color adjustment tools in Adobe Lightroom. Learn how to accentuate the different components of your images through the use of filters, masks, and by manipulating light and shadows.

Learn how to analyze your final image to evoke the desired response from your viewers. Understand Gaussian blur and pixelation and how it can be used to direct the focus of a photo. Wrap up by revisiting certain edits to assure you achieve the look and feel you aim for.

What is this course’s project?
Edit a photograph with two different editing techniques to evoke two distinct moods.

Who is this online course for?
This course is suitable for photographers and photography enthusiasts who want to increase their knowledge of color theory.

Requirements and materials
For this course, you will need a computer and access to image editing software like Adobe Color and Lightroom. You will also need a digital camera; Yaopey uses a DSLR. Optional materials include a white balance lens cap and a polarizing filter. Basic knowledge of photography and image editing is recommended.