Module 5: Light & Colour

This module outlines the principles of how light and colour function in photographic practice. It introduces the colour spectrum, colour temperature, and the evolution of colour theory, including additive and subtractive systems and the CIE colour models. You will examine how filters, white balance, and colour temperature are used. The module also includes practical exercises to develop visual perception and demonstrates multiple approaches to black and white conversion, using colour channels and tonal adjustments.

Module 5 Course Preview

Why This Module Matters

Having control of light and colour are fundamental aspects in creating mood, atmosphere, and impact in your photos. In Module 5, you’ll:

Learn colour theory and how it affects the way the viewer interprets your images.
Control white balance and colour temperature by understanding the available settings and tools.
Enhance colour and dynamic range perception with a range of techniques including pre-visualisation.
Analyse black & white images and learn several conversion methods.
Practice black & white digital conversions with a diverse range of post-production techniques.

What You’ll Learn

Modern & Historical Colour Theory
Explore Maxwell’s triangle, additive and subtractive systems, and more.
White Balance & Colour Temperature
Manage white balance and colour temperature, including photographic filters.
Perception & Pre-visualisation
Techniques for evaluating contrast and dynamic range, planning the look before capture.
Black & White Image Conversions
Learn multiple methods for achieving black and white images in post-production.

What You’ll Do

Black & White Conversions
Experiment with several conversion methods to achieve the desired look.
Colour Temperature & White Balance
Test custom white balance settings & analyse results for maximum control on your images.
Perception & Pre-visualisation
Use several techniques to enhance your ability to see light, contrast and colour.
Light & Colour Control
Have full understanding of light & colour to control how viewers see your images.

Module Topics

In Module 5, we will cover the following topics and beyond:

Light & Colour
The Colour Spectrum
Colour Temperature
Early Colour Theory Development
Maxwell’s Triangle & Modern Colour Theory
Additive & Subtractive Colour Systems
The CIE & Lab Colour
Photographic Filters
Useful Filters In The Digital World
The Mired Scale
Wratten Filters
Managing Colour & White Balance
The Colour Temperature Meter
Digital White Balance
Custom White Balance
A Colour Reality Check
Seeing Like a Camera
Colour Perception
Depth Perception
Dynamic Range
Some Useful Tricks
Squint

Look Through a Filter
Close One Eye
Make A Fist
Rotate The Image
Squat
Pre-visualisation
Setting Shadows & Highlights
Black & White Photography
A Brief Personal Tour
B&W Photography In The Digital Era
Method One: In Camera B&W
Method Two: Camera Raw Saturation
Method Three: Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer
Method Four: Greyscale Colour Mode
Method Five: Photo Filter
Method Six: Black & White
My Favourite: Channel Mixer Adjustment Layer
Utilising Colour Channels
The Red Channel In RGB
The Green Channel In RGB
The Blue Channel In RGB
The L Channel In L*a*b

Module Outcomes

By completing Module 5, you will:

Understand light and colour theory and how to manipulate them to achieve the desired look.
Control white balance and colour temperature both on camera and in post-production.
Learn pre-visualisation and sharpen your perception methods through several practical techniques.
Understand a diverse range of black & white conversion methods and their attributes.
Be confident to convert colour images into black & white achieving professional level results.

Guidance Every Step Of The Way

Our expert tutors will guide you step by step. The aim in this module is to provide a clear understanding of how to manage colour and tone accurately and consistently in image-making and post-production. With their guidance, you’ll confidently handle all colour related decisions for any photography project.