As a professional photographer and educator, I have always recommended Peterson's books to beginner and intermediate photographers (especially the self taught). Color has been one of the 'last frontiers' in digital photography education - understanding color theory, how to achieve dynamic images through color, and how color greatly affects the composition have been largely untold in a meaningful way until this book.

The book breaks down as follows: Light, Exposure, and Color (Light and the science of color, Exposure and color, White balance and color temperature); Color and Composition (Using color for high impact images, the color wheel, complementary colors, Monochromatic colors, Color and visual weight, Using color as a seamless background, Using motion); Color and Mood (The psychology of color, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, White, Black); Using Tools to Enhance Color (Filters, Photoshop).

The concepts are all photographed perfectly to achieve an easy understanding of the information presented. I especially like that Peterson shows examples of the same image - one shot poorly and one shot effectively. It's a great way to see how little things make such a huge difference. From color weight (something small in the image taking up importance because it stands out against the rest of the background) to complementary colors (want someone to stand out in a cluttered background like a forest? Put them in a bright red outfit). Even analogous colors and having someone harmonize with a very open environment (e.g., why you dress people in white on a beach shoot rather than dark purple) is discussed.

Color as moods and to give different interpretations of the same image is also fully covered. Peterson includes all kinds of examples - from macros to portraits, scenics to photo journalism. the book is thorough yet it isn't overly written and is easy to follow. In all, highly recommended to help photographers take their photography to the next level of impact. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

This short book is, as you’d expect, full of photos. Yet despite those two facts, it is not easy going. I’ve been a professional photographer for over 25 years, so this would seem like a slam dunk, but I found myself disagreeing with his opinions too much. It’s difficult being in tune with him—though I’ve been a big fan of his previous books—because he likes warm tones, whereas I prefer the cooler side of the spectrum: blue rather than yellow and red. So this can’t help but color (sorry, couldn’t think of anything else there, definitely not a pun) some of the things the author says.
As always with these books, I learn a few new things and then instantly forget them. I treat them as reference books.

I didn't (couldn't) finish reading this book. I completed the introduction chapter and the first chapter and was unwilling to continue after this out of frustration.
I have to point out that it is nothing to do with the authors' technical proficiency or tips and tricks they have learned over the years. But the layout of the book was a shambles, and I'll tell you why:
The page-breaks are the most frustrating thing about this book, I'm not even going to go back and count them, but I reckon there's about 7 instances of page-breaks happening mid-sentence within the first 25 pages, many times the sentence continues, not on the proceeding page, but 2 or 3 pages away, and by the time you've found where the end of the sentence is hidden you've forgotten what the first half was. But every page also has an image or images that could have been slightly modified to allow the sentence to continue on the same page, or the paragraph size could have been modified, or the sentence could have been continued on the very next page...
Another thing that irritated my bowels about this book was that it's called UNDERSTANDING Color in Photography, but when it came to explaining how colour works, the authors use an analogy that compares it to molecules eating at a buffet, making it less helpful than what an accurate scientific description might be because it was long-winded and unnecessary(it''s not a difficult concept to understand), and as if to highlight that the authors do not understand this concept themselves, they give a factually incorrect example saying black reflects all wavelengths of light, when the truth is the opposite; BLACK ABSORBS all wavelengths. Jesucristo. AND THEN they confuse black with the word colourless!? Colourless in this field means transparent, transparent means not absorbing light, which means colourless is definitely not black. AND THEN as if to forget their own analogy, ON THE VERY NEXT PAGE, they describe a landscape as having "an appetite for warm oranges and reds as well as greens and blues" when it should be the opposite if following their analogy, it DOESN'T have an appetite for oranges,reds, greens, and blues. At this point they mangled the description of colour so I couldn't take anything they said too seriously after that, and they kept bringing up the analogy to describe colour in things so I got fed up and gave up on the book.

But the technical proficiency and author experience might be useful to people so I won't be posting a public review to goodreads or anywhere. But this books needs a better editor and a fact-checker.

I take a lot of pictures and have done a few photography courses and workshops, though I'm still quite an amateur. I like reading books about photography so I can learn more, get ideas and see things through the eyes of a professional.

This book focuses on understanding colour and the chapters are:

* Introduction
* Light, exposure and colour - light and the science of colour, exposure and colour, and white balance and colour temperature
* Colour and composition - using colour for high-impact images, the colour wheel, complementary colours, using colour as a seamless background, using motion and more
* Color and mood - the psychology of colour, red, orange, yellow, etc.
* Using tools to enhance colour - filters and Photoshop

Though some of the stuff in the book went over my head, for the most part I found it interesting. I liked that there were lots of vibrant colour pictures and the descriptions (shutter speed, aperture, etc.) were under them.

I shoot pictures in "P" mode and the only thing I change is the exposure compensation ... I tend to have it at -3 or -7 which is something the author also recommends. He also suggests having the white balance set on "sunny" or "daylight" whenever you are outside (I tend to leave it on auto).

I liked the chapters on the colours ... in the "red" one, for example, there were lots of pictures that had red in them which emphasized how it stood out. The author mentioned in the "green" chapter that he didn't have a lot of "green" pictures in his portfolio ... I was in High Park yesterday and saw and was inspired to take lots of pictures that would have fit in that chapter.

I would absolutely adopt this book for a photo course.
Particularly, for a photo 2 or a color photography course. It is technical, but now as much with the computer technology and hardware as with the concepts of composition and color theory. It's easily applicable, and it does a great job of explaining (both in text and images) what it talks about when it talks about color.
This would be a fantastic text book for an intermediate photography curriculum, or even to adopt into a non-photo-specific art course for a unit on photography: many of the concepts and practices it discusses could be explored using only a student's smartphone, on the grounds of a K-12 school. For example, during a color theory unit I could have them study the areas on complementary vs. monochromatic compositions, and experiment taking photos in each.

A great photography book that strives "to help you see and capture the vivid color in the world around you" by understanding the role color plays in photography. The book is meant to be for those whose aim is to create compelling images with minimal use of photo-processing software. It takes you by the hand, from the basics of light and the science of color, all the way to theory, composition and the psychology of color. Every photo includes information about the camera, lens, aperture, exposure and ISO value used. Even tho this book would suit more those who have prior knowledge of DSLR photography, the tips and techniques contained will surely benefit anyone with a camera and a desire to capture better pictures. The ample set of example images and extra shots "behind the scenes" that further explains the process make it a perfect book for visual-learners and those of us who prefer learning by example rather than just theory.

A great guide to understanding the theory and power of color photography

Understanding Color in Photography: Using Color, Composition, and Exposure to Create Vivid Photos is a photography workshop book by Bryan F. Peterson with Susana Heide Schellenberg.

In the Introduction, the author shared, "I am a color photographer. My approach to every image I shoot is always because of the color I see within that given subject.... I strive to help you see and capture the vivid color in the world around you. We'll study the science behind why we see color, how your camera captures it, and tips for correctly exposing bright whites, dark blacks, and every color in between. We'll look at how color influences composition, and how to use color to your image's advantage. Lastly, we'll explore the one primary tool I use to enhance color in my digital images--Photoshop's Selective Color tool.... If...you believe that creating compelling images is something you can do with minimal photo processing, this book will surely answer that need."

This book is divided into the following four main sections: Light, Exposure, and Color, Color and Composition, Color and Mood, and Using Tools to Enhance Color, as well as the Introduction and Index.

While featuring brilliant full-color photographs, Understanding Color in Photography is a helpful resource for those interested in photography, and it's geared towards all ages, from teenagers to older generations.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It is a book I've read with my camera on, trying to test various suggestions for apertures and speed. As the camera used in most cases is Nikon, my choice for a long time, it made the exercises even more easier and practical. I appreciated the examples, the focus on practical aspects, instead of a lengthy scientific and theoretical approach. A book recommended to anyone trying to improve the quality of photos and to better understand how to play with colours otherwise than by using filters or Photoshop.

Bryan Peterson has several well respected books on learning photography - notably Understanding Exposure, which has been through several editions. All of them are well thought out and this addition, Understanding Color in Photography, is no exception. I appreciate the layout of the volume, as well as the descriptions of the included photographic examples.

I have to start with the fact that I have loved Byran Peterson's other books & pictures. This book is amazing!! Bryan offers some great tips for improving your photography around color. I also love how he shows the big picture & then how he narrowed his focus to get the stunning picture with great colors! It makes me want to go out & start taking pictures right now. I will definitely be referring back to this book in the future. Thank you for a truly great book that is so inspiring!

Very informative book and helped me interest using color in my photography. I love all of Bryan Peterson books and this is on exception. You will use this and refer back to it often. He explains how to understand color to make sure you get the skin tones correct. Such as cautioning against having your subject lean against a colored wall since unwelcome color will bounce on their skin.

The reason for selecting this book was to learn more about colour photography, by firstly understanding the essentials and by secondly applying them. This is not how I would teach someone about photography, at which level reader is this book aimed? Perhaps intermediate. Some nice photos but did not find it helpful.

Informative resource that will be useful to a variety of skill levels. The authors go over light, exposure, and color, listing all details and information should you want to try to capture a picture yourself.

I always admire Bryan F. Peterson, and I enjoyed this book too, it contains lot of good information. This book is invaluable for anyone who wants to learn about color. There are a lot of pictures in this book, so it makes this book easy to read, easy to understand and very practical. I can study and learn a lot form this book.

The sections are:
Light, Exposure, And Color
Color And Composition
Color And Mood
Using Tools To Enhance Color

I recommended this book not just for the photographer at all levels but for the graphic designer also.