Lessons Learned: Complementary colors

Now here's a lucky coincidence. When shooting a flower like this purple orchid in shade, isn't it nice when an out-of-focus highlight behind it happens to be a complementary color.

Colors that live on opposite sides of the color wheel are said to be complementary. Purple/yellow, blue/orange, green/red. Likewise, shades and hues inbetween the primary colors have complements. The pink/peach cloud reflections and blue/aqua ocean in Hualalai Dawn are examples of comlementary colors.

With photography as with other art media, a basic understanding of color helps create stronger images, as does refined composition and an indepth understanding of light.

In this picture is was a simple matter of taking a step to the left to bring those yellow highlights into the frame. Coincidences happen more often when you know to look for them.