What Shade Is Hot? The Temperature Of Color
Illumination is a fine art. It appears in the photographs of Ansel Adams, the cinematography of Haskell Wexler, and the paintings of Caravaggio. Without light there is no color, no shadow, no contrast and no art, no science, no plant life, just a big fat empty void. Light splits the darkness and is the and is the fundamental building block of life, and hence art and culture. Light is a big deal. Yet most people take light for granted. The giant solar orb rises and and they grumble ’cause the got to get out of bed. The sun goes down and the houselights come on. The house lights could be candles, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lights, moon light or the glow of a computer screen. The natural lighting of the sun, fluorescent lighting, and the glow of a light bulb all illuminate, but they are not the same. Different sources of light have a different degree of tonal color. Artists, cinematographers and interior decorators are well informed of the color temperature of lights. Proffesionals use them to create the tone they want. Knowing about color temperature is a key tool for any artist or designer.
Color temperature is discussed in terms of hot and cold. The warmest temperatures run in the reddish hues, the coolest in the bluish hue. Average person on the street associate heat with color, thinking the hottest light source should create the warmest colors. The opposite is occurs. Solar light has blue tones and a flame has red tones. A flame is perhaps the easiest way to visualize the difference in shades. The hottest part of the flame is the part closet to the burning surface. This part of the flame is usually blue. The edge of the flame is yellow, orange and sometimes even a bit red. This can also be illustrated in the passing of the sun. In the mornings and evenings, the rising or setting sun is red, while the midday sun shines down hot and blue. Our eyes view sunlight as white and that is the challenge in photography, cinematography and design.
The human eye works like one of the finest filters ever invented. In any given situation, the eye and the brain work together to produce the interpretation of color tone. A space painted white lit by tungsten lightbulbs will appear white. During the day the same wall will appear white. The human eye and the mind adjust. This is demonstrated when taking a photograph with the camera white balanced incorrectly. If it is white balanced for sunlight and the room is illuminated by tungsten light it will appear very yellow. If it is white balanced for electric lights and shot when lit by daylight the picture will appear very blue.
Cinematographers, artists and designers all consider color temperature. The paint on the wall whatever color it is, will vary with the quality of light. A good designer will always check a color of paint under the various lighting sources that will illuminate the room. Different chromatic shades help set a tone and a mood. Even when a person believes they are looking at white, the body reacts to the warm and cool tones.
Understanding color temperature is a great skill for anyone interested in art or home design.
