As a landscape photographer, I've learned that understanding colour is like having a secret weapon in your creative arsenal. The colour wheel isn't just a design tool—it's a powerful way to transform your landscape images from good to absolutely stunning.

Understanding Colour Theory in Landscape Photography

Colour theory might sound academic, but in reality, it's about feeling and intuition. Just like selling real estate is about showcasing key elements, landscape photography is about presenting nature's palette in the most compelling way possible.

The colour wheel helps us understand how different colours interact. Complementary colours—those sitting opposite each other—create dynamic, high-contrast images. Analogous colours, which sit next to each other, produce serene, harmonious compositions. I use the Adobe Colour Wheel. 

I often use the colour wheel as a mental guide when I'm scouting locations. It helps me anticipate how different elements will interact visually, almost like a painter planning their canvas.

Complementary Colour Strategies

When you understand complementary colours, you can create images that are more visually appealing. Blue and orange, for instance, are classic complementary colours that can create incredible drama in a landscape.

Imagine a sunset where the warm orange tones of the sky contrast against deep blue ocean waters. The contrast isn't just visual—it's emotional. 

My go-to technique is finding locations where complementary colours naturally occur. Late autumn landscapes with orange leaves against blue mountain backgrounds are perfect examples. Images with cool and warm tones work so well together. 

Working with Analogous Colour Palettes

Analogous colours create a different mood—more subtle and harmonious. These are colours adjacent to each other on the colour wheel, like greens and blues or yellows and oranges.

In my back country photography, I love capturing scenes where soft gold grasslands blend into misty blue toned mountain ranges. The colour progression feels smooth and natural, almost like a watercolour painting.

When shooting these scenes a polarising filter helps enhance these natural colour relationships by reducing glare and increasing colour saturation.

The Role of Light in Colour Dynamics

Light is the ultimate colour magician. During golden hour, warm tones dominate, transforming landscapes into living colour wheels. Sunrise and sunset provide incredible opportunities to play with colour relationships.

I almost always recommend shooting during these magical hours. The soft, warm light creates natural colour harmonies that are difficult to replicate during harsh midday sunlight.

Post-Processing Colour Magic

Post-processing is where colour theory truly comes alive. In Adobe Lightroom, I use tools like HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) sliders to fine-tune colour relationships.

The key is subtlety. Over-processing can make images look artificial. I aim to enhance the natural colour harmony, not create something that looks manufactured.

Creative Experimentation

Don't be afraid to break traditional colour rules. Sometimes, unexpected colour combinations create the most compelling images. Trust your artistic instinct. Sometimes I even remove or take saturation out of certain colours to make the image more simple and harmonious. 

I often tell my photography workshop participants: if a scene catches your eye, there's a reason. The colour interaction has sparked something in your visual perception.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the colour wheel isn't about rigid rules—it's about developing a creative eye. Like any artistic skill, it takes practice, experimentation, and a willingness to see the world differently.

Next time you're out shooting, think about colour relationships. Look beyond just capturing a scene—consider how colours interact, contrast, and complement each other.

Happy shooting, and may your landscapes be as vibrant as nature intended!

Brett Wood