The 3 color portrait photography rule is a guideline that suggests limiting the colors in a portrait photo to 3 main colors. This helps create an elegant, cohesive look to the image. The key is to choose 3 colors that complement each other well. Often this will be one warm color, one cool color, and a neutral or “bridge” color. Let’s explore this simple but effective portrait photography technique further.
What Are the Origins of the 3 Color Rule?
The 3 color portrait rule has its origins in the visual arts, where it has long been used in painting. Limiting the palette helps the artist create a harmonious composition. This principle translated well to color photography. While early color photos sometimes had a chaotic clash of hues, photographers found that reducing the number of main colors resulted in more pleasing, professional looking images.
Fashion and product photographers were early pioneers of the technique. Vogue magazine famously instituted a 3 color rule for its covers under famed artistic director Alexander Liberman. Photos with controlled, minimalist color palettes graced the covers of high fashion magazines and set the tone for portraiture. Today the 3 color rule is a standard technique used by portrait photographers of all kinds.
How Does the 3 Color Rule Work?
The key to successfully employing the 3 color photography rule is to choose your main colors strategically. Here are some tips:
- Pick one dominant color that will take up the most visual space in the image. This is often the color of the subject’s clothing or background elements.
- Choose a secondary supporting color that plays well with the dominant color. Look for an adjacent hue on a color wheel for a harmonious combination.
- Add a third accent color for visual interest. This is often a neutral or “bridge” shade like white, black, or gray.
By keeping the color palette limited, you allow the viewer to easily focus on the subject. Busy or distracting backgrounds are minimized. The portrait takes on an elegant, orderly aesthetic.
Choosing Color Combos
Certain color combinations work especially well for 3 color portrait photography:
- Blue + Orange: These contrasting hues on the color wheel create striking images.
- Green + Magenta: The complement of green on the wheel, magenta packs a punch.
- Yellow + Purple: Regal and eye-catching when combined.
- Red + Green: Christmas colors with visual impact.
You’ll also see black, white and gray used often as the third neutral color. Don’t be afraid to experiment with unexpected combinations too. Photos with teal, maroon, peach or other colors can look amazing when skillfully composed.
Tips for Shooting with the 3 Color Rule
Here are some tips for successfully working with the 3 color portrait photography rule:
- Study the location before the shoot and identify potential colors to emphasize.
- Have the subject wear clothing and accessories in one or two of your key colors.
- Add props as needed in the chosen palette.
- Compose the frame to maximize the main colors.
- Minimize distracting colors that don’t fit the scheme by adjusting angle, light, etc.
- Use lighting to make the dominant colors stand out.
- In post processing, enhance the vibrance and saturation of the 3 key colors.
The 3 Color Rule for Editing
Post-processing gives you additional opportunities refine your image colors.Try techniques like:
- Boosting saturation of main colors and desaturating competing hues.
- Selective color adjustments to draw the eye.
- Cropping to cut distracting colors.
- Black and white conversion with a pop of color.
- Toning to introduce an overall color cast.
Use editing judiciously to enhance your 3 color palette, not overwhelm it. Subtlety goes a long way.
Examples of the 3 Color Photography Rule
Let’s look at some examples of effective use of the 3 color portrait photography rule:
| Photo | Color Palette |
|---|---|
 |
Blue + Orange + Skin tones |
 |
Green + Red + Black |
 |
Purple + Yellow + White |
As you can see, limiting the color palette to 3 main hues keeps the focus on the subject and creates an elegant, professional look.
Creative Ways to Use the 3 Color Rule
While traditionally used for fashion and portraiture, the 3 color photography rule can be applied creatively to other genres too. For example:
- Still Life: Compose food or floral arrangements using 3 harmonious colors.
- Landscape: Use 3 colors to capture the essence of a scene, like blue water, green trees, and brown earth.
- Travel: Define a location through dominant hues, such as yellow taxis, red graffiti, and gray urban streets.
The rule can be adapted to suit your personal vision. Feel free to get creative with your color palettes!
Breaking the Rules
Like any technique, there are times you may want to intentionally break the 3 color portrait rule for effect. Some examples include:
- Eclectic style with clashing colors.
- Moodier tones with many dark shades.
- Bright, saturated colors for a fun pop art look.
- Rainbow palette to showcase diversity.
Know the “rules” first and then feel free to get creative bending or breaking them when appropriate. This will help you develop your photographic style.
Should You Use the 3 Color Photography Rule?
The 3 color portrait photography rule is recommended for:
- Beginner photographers looking to improve their color harmonies.
- Portrait photographers who want polished, professional looking images.
- Product or fashion shoots that require a clean, elegant look.
- Anyone seeking to simplify and strengthen their color palettes.
With some practice, limiting yourself to 3 colors can quickly improve your photographic eye for color. But feel free to discard or adapt the rule when needed to fit your creative vision.
Conclusion
The 3 color portrait photography rule is one of the most useful techniques for creating harmonious, compelling images. By limiting your dominant hues to three, you give the viewer’s eye a place to rest. Color contrasts pop and the result is elegant and cohesive. While originally used for fashion photography, the principle can be applied to portraiture as well as still life, landscape and other genres.
Experiment with complementary color combinations like blue and orange or purple and yellow to see striking results. Use the rule as a guideline, not a limitation. Break and bend it when needed to fit your subject and vision. Mastering color harmony with the 3 color rule will take your photography to the next level.
