How I choose my food photography color palette for food styling. Why I use Adobe Color CC color wheel to select different color harmony between monochromatic, analogous, triad, complementary, compound or shades.

Nice Cream Swirl

My Color Obsession Continous: First Part for Instagram/ Portfolio

If you are already familiar with my photography posts, then you know how much I love Adobe Color CC. I’m quite sure you might get tired of me talking about food photography colors (previous post here). Again. I know I’m a broken record.

Zucchini Turmeric Flatbread ( Paleo & Keto)

My Instagram @healthylauracom stories screenshots (behind the scenes)

Analyze & Build Food Photography Color

However, I still can’t let it go since the color wheel is one of my food photography essentials. That’s why this time I’m going to share how I analyze and build my color palette.

I don’t have a Ph.D. on color theory, and I’m not an expert. I just show you how I choose the color palette.😊

Adobe Color CC color wheel

Adobe Color CC Color Wheel: Basic Color Harmony

If you go to the Adobe Color CC website, you can find the color wheel. I like to choose my color palette between are monochromatic, analogous, triad, complementary, compound or shades. Since photography has quite a lot in common with paintings, then we can always use the same color schemes. According to the book Color Theory: An Essential Guide to Color from Basic Principles to Practical Applications by Patti Mollica.[1] we also have schemes of split complementary, analogous complimentary, saturated, neutral and saturated neutral.

Chia pudding (same pudding recipe, just used red currants instead of blueberries & raspberries)

Basic Color Harmony Schemes & Confusing?

Right now I try not to over complicate it and stay with Adobe Color CC basic schemes. It looks like there’s so much information out there that sometimes I find it quite confusing and I really can’t cover all the topics in this short blog post. That’s why at the end of the day like to trust my instincts and go with some kind of feeling. Sometimes I upload some of the images to Adobe Color CC to get some inspiration for the custom color palette.

Secretly Veggie “Carbonara” (Paleo)

Neutral backdrops vs Similar?

What do I do? I choose the color harmony between basic color pallets (monochromatic, analogous, triad, complementary, compound or shades) and then use NEUTRAL backgrounds (white, grey, black, brown) or backdrops with SIMILAR food colors.

I used the Color Kuler website to analyze my Instagram @healthylauracom grid. I usually choose grey & grey-blue(ish) backdrops.

How I choose my food photography color palette?

Example 1: Monochromatic

I try to use food with the SAME hue (monochromatic colors). They say that the key here is that the primary color can be integrated with neutral colors (black, white, or gray).[2] Luckily that makes it a little bit easier.

TIP: Try to use TINTS, SHADES, and tones. Choose one KEY color for this scheme.[3]

Adobe Colors CC: Monochromatic colors example

For example, here I tried to choose yellow(ish) hue with honey, almond slices & apples. I also got some brown tones with cinnamon and toasted almond slices.

Almond Flour Apple Cake (Paleo)

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Example 2: Analogous Colors

I try to choose food with a similar hue. I play around with the color wheel and try to group three food colors that sit beside each other.[4]

TIP: Avoid combining WARM and COOL colors of food.[5] 

Adobe Colors CC: Analogous colors example

For example, here I tried to choose green mint leaves, avocado, and broccoli that all had different green hue. I got my yellow(ish) color with these buckwheat pancakes.

Savory Buckwheat Pancakes  (Gluten-Free)

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Example 3: Complimentary Colors

I try to use OPPOSITE colors on the color wheel & play with different food contrast.[6]

TIP: If you use red or yellow food colors, then desaturate the opposite cool colors.[7]

Adobe Colors CC: Complimentary colors example

For example, here I tried to choose green leaves and pink(ish) prawns for my color palette. Once I already have my RAW image file, then I can play around with HSL & color panel in Adobe Lightroom.

Garlic Prawns (Paleo & Keto)

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Learn more about #foodphotography with my 21-day challenge

Example 4: Triad Colors

I try to use three or more colors that NEIGHBOR each on the color wheel.[8]

TIP: Choose one color to be used in more significant amounts than others.[9]

Adobe Colors CC: Triad colors example

For example, here I tried to choose green leaves, purple(ish) pink beetroot, and yellow beetroot. It’s probably not the perfect example here. However, at least I got some inspiration. 😅 I find it quite hard to make a color palette with triad colors.

Beetroot Carpaccio with Goat’s Cheese

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Example 5: Compound Colors

I try to use colors on both sides of the opposite hue. It’s similar to the complementary color scheme, but they have less “pressure”.[10]

TIP: Play around with hue and shades.

Adobe Colors CC: Compound colors example

For example, here I tried to choose dark green broccoli, kale, and purple beetroot. I got some hue and shade from the broccoli and beetroot itself. The broccoli and beetroot have some darker tone and lighter colors.

Beetroot Soup

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Example 6: Shades[11]

I try to use foods with different color shades.

TIP: Pick one basic color and play with light & shadows.

Adobe Colors CC: Shades colors example

For example, here I used only frozen red currants, but it has different red tones. However, I tried to play around with brightness and value, hue & saturation.

Again, here is quite a big part of the process Adobe Lightroom (especially the HSL panel) where I like to play around with brightness & shadows to get my #foodcolorcode.

Frozen Red Currants

Adobe Lightroom HSL Panel

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Classical Comment Begging 

If this post was helpful, then please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @healthylauracom or another platform. It helps me to create better content.

Leave YOUR website link below. I would love to see your photography or ideas!

References:

[1] Color Theory: An Essential Guide to Color-from Basic Principles to Practical Applications by Patti Mollica

[2]Color Wheel PRO. Classic color schemes.

[3]Color Wheel PRO. Classic color schemes.

[4]Color Wheel PRO. Classic color schemes.

[5]Color Wheel PRO. Classic color schemes.

[6]Adobe. Use the Adobe Color Themes Panel.

[7]Color Wheel PRO. Classic color schemes.

[8]Adobe. Use the Adobe Color Themes Panel.

[9]Color Wheel PRO. Classic color schemes.

[10]Adobe. Use the Adobe Color Themes Panel.

[11]Adobe. Use the Adobe Color Themes Panel.

Adobe product screen shot(s) with permission from Adobe.

Learn food photography with my free cheat sheets