| Seven colors primarily make up the visible spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green,
blue-green, blue and violet. These are the basic groups of colors visible to the human
eye. In photographic systems the spectrum is divided into three regions: red, green and
blue. The color blue can be found in the range of the spectrum at 490-425 (nm). The colors
in the visible spectrum have different complementary colors than the traditional color wheel.
For example, the color blue's compliment is orange, while in the visible spectrum its complement
is yellow.
While blue is not the easiest color to see in the spectrum, (green reflects more light making
it easier to see,) studies indicate it is still one of the most calming colors and is pleasing
to the eye. The majority of photographs I have taken over the past five years predominantly feature
the color blue that exists within the 490-425 (nm) range of light. This was not a coincidence but
was also not consciously planned. Making blue photographs gives me a sense of peace inside, like
taking a deep breath that results in a small pleasant smile, thus delivering a feeling of balance
inside. Only upon review of the work did I notice how prevalent the "blue" was throughout.
An interesting notion to consider is the difference between the light that the eye records and
the light recorded by the film. I choose specific times of the day to make photos to capture an
optimum light which results in the ultra-saturated photographs I create. Consequently, the blue
that the film displays is always deeper and richer than what my eye has seen when photographing.
Thus I ponder which one is the "real" blue, my eye's blue or the film's blue?
It wasn't until I photographed a green patch of moss that I noticed how much of my work consisted
of blue and since then I have attempted to explore other ranges of light within the spectrum. The
yellow wall and white sink (600 (nm) range), the only non-blue photo in the piece, is one of the
first attempts.
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