The Colors of Autumn

Colors in autumn can be vibrant.













Or more subdued...














The sunlight can be mellow and the air misty, slightly dulling the colors in the afternoon.

Lake views can be dazzling, but the light has an almost metallic cool sheen.


The pale cornflower blue contrasts nicely with the plowed beige fields.







The hills are full of color.






Looking more closely shows individual trees with more vibrant shades...




...and even more closely gives a good view of the deep brown of the bark, punctuating the yellow, orange and even slightly green of the leaves.








The brightness of these grasses peeping up over the hedge defiantly challenging the autumn cool to touch them.





The cows have come down from mountains and are lazing in the low afternoon sun.








Most of the fields are plowed over in autumn; some still display vines with turned leaves.






Brass-colored leaves frame the lake scene.














Autumnal flower baskets adorn the towns.











Wisps of autumn are apparent on the bushes.













Bright cheery berries make up for the gentler sun.





Acorns show their splendor...














Sour sweet hard apples are ready for the eating...












Individual leaves have their glory...

Each one lighting up a single tree...

















Every tree adding to the brilliance and wonder of a rock-hewn valley. It seems like the colors of autumn are harvested from the abundance of the summer sun and served up to us just before the sleep of winter begins.

Capturing Light and Color In The Sky

Every moment the colors and light in the sky change. Using a camera to catch some of these moments can be very satisfying.







Sunsets create magnificent colors.
Ocean sunsets have a mirror in the ocean which adds to the scene and play of light.










Strong contrasts of light and dark create an image dramatically different from the pastel beach scene above.






Different times or parts of the sky during the same sunset can give entirely different effects.
Land locked with overhead clouds and lit from below and behind gives rise to all manner of blues and purples.





Catching a rainbow with a camera may not lead to a pot of gold, but it sure is a jewel for the eye.











Lightning this close can strike deadly, but it's most fascinating. (This photo was also included in a previous post called Thunder and Lightning!, but is fun to see again.)





Skies at all times seem to hold treasures. Small rainbow lights in the depth of winter.








Blankets of clouds look like they're trying ineffectively to shut down the light behind the hills.

With each passing second, what's captured by the lens is totally changed.
Soft, almost monochromatic, lighting of winter snow and sky makes for a picture postcard image.

No matter the place or time of year, it seems the skies always have some beauty in color and light just waiting to be photographed.

The Influence of Color on Photography Composition

Conscious awareness and use of color in photography can dramatically enhance the impact of an image. Knowing a few facts about colors and how they interact with one another can make a huge difference to how we aim the camera to capture scenes that interest us.
When a light color is surrounded by a dark one it has the effect of confining the enclosed color, enhancing its clarity and richness. This can isolate an object from its background giving it a vivid crispness.




The viewer is left in no doubt as to the subject of the photograph.










When a color is surrounded by a light color, it appears to spread out into the light color and the strength of it seems lessened.

The yellow in the center of this white flower is a good example of this: it appears to be very delicate and faint, and gradually merges with the surrounding white.

This can be contrasted with the orange-red flower below, in which the yellow center appears to be very bright and well defined.
Colors may appear to change depending on the colors they are next to. The larger areas of color will have more influence over the smaller areas of color.



In this photo, the orange petals appear to be much more vibrant next to the darker color of the soil, whereas the petals surrounded by the light grey stone appear to be less striking.




When two shades of the same color are placed next to each other, each one makes the other look lighter and darker respectively. The bright green tree in this image looks all the more light and shiny compared to the dark green one in the background because the two colors are next to one another.

The stark repetition of alternating light and dark patterns can create the illusion of movement or dictate the direction of eye movement across the image.



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Pastel colors always appear to our eyes as being less vivid.



They give an image a more gentle touch.








Scenes displaying more monochromatic colors can present a very dramatic and yet peaceful atmosphere.

Color, Vision, and Our Perception of Art

There was an article in The Times about Claude Monet's loss of color vision due to the development of cataracts in his eyes. He told a friend: "I no longer saw colors with the same intensity. The reds seemed muddy to me, the pinks insipid and the intermediate colors and lower tones escaped me completely." The style that he developed at this time in his life appears to have been largely influenced by this change, according to recent studies illustrating how he most likely would have seen. This incites discussion as to whether Monet really intended to paint in a more abstract manner, bringing an innovative style of painting to the world, or if this style was mainly a product of the deterioration of his sight.
In addition to our visual ability, what we feel about a color also influences how we perceive that color. Children are more attracted by color than form, and childhood memories are often flavored with color, and even when we're not aware of it, these associated feelings about specific colors affect how we perceive them in adulthood.

Our cultural backgrounds and upbringing may also affect our response to colors. For example, the color of mourning in China is white, while in many other cultures it is black; although in recent times these particular stereotypes have become less predominant. Culture, popular fads, and trends can dictate or suggest symbolic meanings to us.

Approximately twenty percent of the visual signals leaving the eye go to the pituitary gland; this is an endocrine gland that secretes hormones regulating homeostasis (the maintenance of a stable, constant condition of the body's internal environment), and also hormones for sexual drive. The color red is a very good example of the direct influence of color; a chemical message is sent to the adrenal medulla, releasing the hormone epinephrine. This causes an alteration in body chemistry, causing more rapid breathing, increase in blood pressure, pulse rate, heartbeat, flow of adrenaline and perspiration. This is a physiological effect on the body, resulting in the persuasion of the human mind to associate the color red with excitement and high energy.

The blend of all these factors is unique to each individual, and it is interesting to consider just how this affects a person's reaction to a work of art. Perception of color can be almost instantaneous in its conveyance of meaning and feeling. If the color of a work of art is appealing to an individual it may influence them to like it, with less importance being placed on its form or subject. Likewise, if the color is unappealing, no matter how well executed a work of art might be, it may still be considered unattractive by the viewer. These differences in perception, happily, allow for great variety in the world of art and its popularity.