Color Harmony Secrets – How to Make Any Portrait POP!
Are you struggling to pick the right colors for your portraits? Whether you’re using gels, continuous lighting, or natural light, understanding color harmony will completely change the way you approach photography!
In this video, I’ll break down color theory step by step, explaining how different color harmony techniques work—including complementary, monochromatic, split complementary, and more. Then, we’ll explore blending colored light and how RGB light mixing can transform your images.
By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly how to use color harmony with intention, so you never have to guess which colors work together again. Whether you’re styling your subject, choosing a backdrop, or working with gels, this fundamental knowledge applies to all forms of photography.
What You’ll Learn in This Video:
✔️ The six types of color harmony (and when to use them)
✔️ How to blend colored lighting using RGB and CMY principles
✔️ Why yellow + blue DOESN’T equal green in lighting
✔️ When to use analogous vs. complementary colors
✔️ How to make any portrait POP with perfect color combinations
Links & Resources:
Master Color Lighting – Get my lighting handbook with over 20 setups
Gear I Used in This Video:
Color Wheels
RGB Color Wheel: https://amzn.to/3Q6qCPd
RYB Color Wheel: https://amzn.to/3EFoF9W
Lighting Equipment:
Elinchrom FIVE
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnmmUpjV1
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ
Elinchrom 8.3″ Standard Reflector with 30 Degree Grid
Adorama: https://howl.me/ckXfvvRu20T
B&H: https://bhpho.to/4731i3t
Nanlite Forza 60C RGBLAC LED Spot Light
Adorama: https://howl.me/cj1UBtE57GD
Amazon: https://amzn.to/43X2gNl
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3JxYYIl
Nanlite Forza PJ-FMM Projection Attachment with 36° Lens for FM Mount
Adorama: https://howl.me/clnDmxdJCqj
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SaBY6I
Nanlite: https://nanlite.pxf.io/LXdZM3
B&H: https://bhpho.to/47q3HF2
Nanlite PavoTube II 30C 4′ 55W RGBWW LED Tube 4-Light Kit
Adorama: https://howl.me/ckfZUfMSHeW
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rJgmUa
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3rSengz
Rosco Gels:
Rosco CalColor #4590 Yellow: https://howl.link/cmFXjMp3fcg
Rosco CalColor #4790 Magenta: https://howl.link/cmFXjta0Bko
Rosco CalColor #4390 Cyan: https://howl.link/cmFXiYEFKUt
Rosco CalColor #4490 Green: https://howl.link/cmFXigBM5SN
Rosco CalColor #4690 Red: https://howl.link/cmFXgL8TnSY
Rosco CalColor #4290 Blue: https://howl.link/cmFXeOuPizm
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
01:33 – Understanding color harmony
02:03 – Types of color harmony
03:44 – Blending colored light
09:19 – Analogous or split complementary?
09:31 – Link to Pavo Tubes
11:19 – RGB = CMY
14:34 – Taste the Rainbow
15:59 – When should you use colored light?
16:59 – Continued learning
17:23 – Final Thoughts
