'COLOR PSYCHOLOGY' Is a Fascinating Montage of How Color Creates Emotion in Film [NSFW]

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We're conditioned to associate certain colors with thoughts, emotions, or situations, a fact that directors take advantage of constantly. "COLOR PSYCHOLOGY" illustrates just how deep the effects can be. 

Innocence, passion, insecurity, madness: all these and more are highlighted along with their strong associations with different colors. Colors can create very strong reactions in us; for me, the mere mention of wine and gold instantly makes me smile as I think of the Cleveland Cavs, whose first NBA championship I've spent the last 48 hours celebrating! But more generally, colors evoke emotions in the viewer, and can be a great tool for augmenting the mood a director is trying to create.

In particular, I noticed is that when a scene takes advantage of one of these colors, it's often veritably bathed in it. Whether that be through the lighting, the decor, the wardrobe, the natural surroundings, or even surreal effects, everything works together to make sure there is no chance of mistaking what's being conveyed. It was fascinating for me to see such a gamut of vastly different films united by the same technique; the vast usage of it really illustrates its effectiveness. 

Note: There is some nudity contained in the video. 

[via Gizmodo]

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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6 Comments

thank you for this share!
some colors we use instinctively as photographers, but as from now I will definitely use this information iin my upcoming works !

Although color played important part in presented scenes, categorization was totally forced. Someone is on right path but not there yet...

Agree. Use of color depends a lot on context and continuity in the storytelling.

This felt like a good idea that wasn't fully thought out or was rushed through execution. A good concept but not well executed. The colors weren't exactly right for the "emotion" and more than color made those fit, angles / lighting / framing all played a part.

Psychologists have understood the emotional ties to color for as long as I can remember... and I am older than dirt. Hospitals and nurseries have intentionally used specific color palettes to control or encourage emotional sensory responses.

Awesome breakdown and thanks for sharing! Super useful. Also here's an ebook to choose the right color scheme in your film https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/e-books/how-to-use-color-in-film-free-...