Exploring Primary Colors: From Theory to Practice

Objectives

1. Understand that all light can be formed by the combination of three basic colors: red, green, and blue.

2. Comprehend that the reflected light that illuminates us is the light that creates the colors we see.

3. Relate knowledge of primary colors to practical applications in the market, such as graphic design and lighting.

Contextualization

Colors play a crucial role in our daily lives, from product design to the creation of works of art. Understanding how colors are formed and perceived can open a new world of creative and professional possibilities. For example, your cell phone screen and computer monitors use three primary colors of light: red, green, and blue, to produce all other colors. This knowledge is fundamental for professionals in various fields, such as graphic design, photography, cinema, and even lighting engineering.

Relevance of the Theme

Mastering knowledge about primary colors of light is essential in the current context, as it allows a deeper understanding of how display technologies work, in addition to being a valued skill in many creative and technical professions. This understanding can be a significant differentiator in the job market, especially in areas that heavily depend on precise and attractive visual representations.

Light Colors (Additive)

Light colors, also known as additive colors, are those that result from the combination of colored lights. The primary colors of light are red, green, and blue. When combined in different proportions, these colors can create a vast range of other colors, including white light when all three are combined in equal intensities.

• The primary colors of light are red, green, and blue.

• The combination of these three colors in different proportions can create any other color.

• White light is formed by the combination of the three primary colors of light in equal intensities.

Pigment Colors (Subtractive)

Pigment colors, or subtractive colors, are those that result from the absorption and reflection of light by pigments. The primary colors of pigment are cyan, magenta, and yellow. When combined, these pigments absorb certain parts of the light spectrum and reflect others, resulting in different colors seen by the human eye.

• The primary colors of pigment are cyan, magenta, and yellow.

• Pigments absorb certain parts of the light spectrum and reflect others.

• The combination of pigments can result in a vast range of colors seen by the human eye.

Reflection and Perception of Colors

The color we see in an object is determined by the light it reflects. When white light hits an object, the object absorbs some colors and reflects others. The color we see is the color of the reflected light. For example, an object that appears red is reflecting red light and absorbing the other colors.

• The color of an object is determined by the light it reflects.

• White light contains all the colors of the visible spectrum.

• An object that appears red is reflecting red light and absorbing the other colors.

Practical Applications

• Graphic Design: Knowledge of primary colors of light is essential for creating vibrant and accurate images on computer screens and mobile devices.
• Photography: Photographers use an understanding of primary colors of light to adjust lighting and capture photos with accurate colors.
• Cinema: The film industry employs the knowledge of primary colors of light for visual effects and color correction, ensuring that scenes have the desired appearance.

Key Terms

• Primary Colors: The basic colors that can be combined in different ways to create other colors. For light, they are red, green, and blue.

• Additive Colors: Colors that are created by the combination of colored lights. The primary additive colors are red, green, and blue.

• Subtractive Colors: Colors that are created by the absorption and reflection of light by pigments. The primary subtractive colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow.

• Reflection: The phenomenon by which light incident on an object is reflected back, allowing us to see the color of the object.

Questions

• How can understanding primary colors influence the work of a graphic designer or a photographer?

• What other areas of the job market can benefit from knowledge of primary colors of light?

• How can a poor understanding of colors affect the quality of a product or project in the creative industry?

Conclusion

To Reflect

Throughout this lesson, we explored the fascinating world of primary colors of light and their practical applications. We understood that all light can be formed by the combination of three basic colors: red, green, and blue. Additionally, we saw how the light reflected by an object is crucial to the color we perceive. This knowledge is essential in various professional fields, such as graphic design, photography, and cinema. Mastering these concepts not only enriches our understanding of the world around us but also prepares us to face challenges in the job market, where precision and creativity are fundamental. Continue exploring and applying this knowledge in your daily and academic activities, as understanding colors opens up a wide range of creative and technical possibilities.

Mini Challenge - Primary Colors Challenge in Action

To consolidate understanding of the primary colors of light, you will construct a Newton disc and observe the combination of red, green, and blue colors.

• Take a piece of cardboard and draw a circle approximately 15 cm in diameter.
• Carefully cut out the circle.
• Divide the circle into six equal segments using a pencil and a ruler.
• Paint the segments alternately with red, green, and blue.
• Make a small hole in the center of the circle and insert a pencil through the hole so that the circle can spin.
• Spin the disc quickly and observe the colors that appear.