INSOMNIAX

Colour grading setting emotions with colour

 

This is a big topic and seriously 700 words is not enough to do this blog

First, you need to understand colour and how it makes things pop and highlight things.

Then you need to understand hue, saturation & Chroma, and brightness & lightness, opacity clarity.

Then you need to know how LUT tables work they are called lookup tables depending on what film you are using each supplier has its own custom specific LUT tables for the film you are using.

 

                       

Before LUTs                                                                                                 LUTs Tables Added                                                                         After LUTs

 

Then you have Additive and Subtractive Colour systems RGB for the Additive and CMY for the Subtractive colour system.

Additive colour system

Image courtesy of American Cinematographer

States” adding these three primary colours together in various combinations builds every other colour up from black, and this is known as the additive colour process

 

Sbtractive colour system

Image courtesy of American Cinematographer

States “we learned in art class that red, blue, and yellow are primary colours (and that we aren’t supposed to eat paint). But those primaries apply to dyes and pigments, and they actually are called subtractive primaries

 

 

Colour Wheels help with working our what colours go with what.

 

As you can see above red pops out from all colours this is why a red carpet at a premiere is red because everything in the background stands out for e.g.

 

Using colour to evoke emotions

 

Using monochromatic

Monochromatic color schemes are quite common in short form filmic work, this mode help things pop

 

Analogous colour scheme

This sort of color scheme has a casual, natural feel, and doesn’t demand all that much from the viewer. The analogous color scheme is a good, safe choice much of the time,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diad colour scheme

This sort of scheme keeps some of the naturalism and casualness of the analogous color scheme, but by removing one of the colors it simplifies things and adds a touch of dynamism.

 

Complementary colour scheme

This one is all about contrast,

 Triad Colour scheme

 Generally, one of the three colors is the dominant note and the other two act in a supporting role. This sort of color scheme has a casual, natural feel,

  

Complementary colour scheme

color schemes are those where four main colors are used

 

 here is a list of what colours can do in a scene or for advertising material.

 

Red

Pops things

Orange

Cheerful simple and uncomplicated

Yellow

Stands out in any environment visually aggressive

Green

Is the colour of trees grass for it is relaxing and neutralising. Green also represents jealousy, weakness and immaturity.

Blue

The Colour of the sea, and sky it’s a cool colour

Purple

Purple is artificial and symbolises authority respect and dignity

Brown

This reminds us of nature and sadness and wistful dry leave tan light brown

White

Symbolises purity innocence peace, is associated with winter hospitals objects etc.

Black

Symbolises evil and mournfulness

 

Emotional aspects of colour

Below is a list of colours and combinations of what has been used over the years in film, Marketing / Advertising, Theatre.

Using subtractive and additive colour systems for lighting and in film production and colour correction and grading we can come up with some emotional looks for the audience.

 

Warm

Magazines and posters contain warm colours to grab our attention.

“  “States Warm colours are bright, splashy, aggressive and attractive. They excite our emotions and enhance our motivation

 

Cool

Cool shades of blue and green look clean and inviting.

Remind us of snow and ice

 

Light

Assists in mood and relaxation

Used in interior design

Dark

Represent day and night

“states “Dark colours make the surroundings appear smaller and create a feeling of seriousness. Light and dark are most common combinations and represent opposite natures, such as day and night.

Vivid

Bright colours are attractive, cheerful, and quickly come to our attention. They are ideal for packaging, fashion and advertising.

Dull

As soothing colours, they are mostly used for interior decoration.

Dull colours help to reduce tension and give colour schemes a meditative, dreamlike mood

Striking colour Schemes

The easiest way to make a striking colour scheme is to choose red as one component. A striking colour scheme should contrast light colours with dark colours.

Tranquil colour Schemes

Cool colours such as blue and green are used for avoiding strong contrast.

A tranquil colour scheme works best in a natural setting.

Exciting colour Schemes

Like a striking colour scheme, an exciting colour scheme makes use of bright red and strong contrast.

Natural colour Schemes

Natural colours are subtle and complicated hues, mostly dark and muted, never colourful. Natural colours are complex combinations of many hues.

Surprising colour Schemes

(Magenta, yellow and cyan) will tend to seem startling and unconventional.

 

Rich colour Schemes

Richness is achieved by combining a powerful hue with its darkened complements.

Romantic

Pink is used in association with romance you can make romantic colour combinations tins and shade s of pink violet and peach.

Soft colour Schemes

calm, cheerful and inviting. More use in home decorations

Elegant colour Schemes

creamy tones covey a sense of classic and elegant and reminds of silk and linen.

Red and orange Combinations

Various colour schemes with red are used for advertising displays or for symbols of strongest emotions. Vermilion, red-orange hues create a feeling of vitality and vigour.

Orange combinations convey friendliness.

Combinations with Yellow

Colour combinations with yellow and orange are welcoming.

Combinations with Green

A bright green blue, is the warmest of the cool colours and is considered as a tropical colour. Light tints of the blue-green family convey the feeling of tranquillity and relaxation.

Combinations with Blue

Greyed or lighted tints of blue produce restful and calming effect

States “Deep navy as the uniform of personnel such as the police, navy, and pilots ensure authority and reliability.

Combinations with Violet

Violet is associated with surprise and magic.

Combinations with Black

These neutral colours lack personal characteristics and are liked by professional people.

 

References

Cook, B. (n.d.). The art of short form content. O’Reilly Online Learning. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/the-art-of/9781317329954/

Woodhead Publishing. (n.d.). Colour design. O’Reilly Online Learning. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/colour-design/9781845699727/