Tangerine Tango Sky, Denali National Park, Alaska
For a few years now, I have been casually following Pantone’s Color of the Year. These colors are the trends Pantone’s color experts see in the markets of design, art, and fashion combined with an outlook of where the world and society are headed the upcoming year. Since nature doesn’t really follow the trends of the year, I always found it an interesting exercise if I could find images of mine that resembled the color that is being placed on a pedestal at the time.
The Color of the Year for 2012 is Tangerine Tango, Pantone #17-1463. It is a “spirited reddish-orange” to signify the desire for bold steps in moving forward. No doubt there is some relation to world economic times and the anxiousness to see things pick up. Times yearning for encouraging signs.
This isn’t an easy color to come by in my archives and of course this is not a precise science. Post processing and color profiles can change things dramatically. It is not quite the orange I typically see in flowers, and yet not far enough towards red. I keyword my images by the dominant colors, and went to my orange keyword in search of something close to Tangerine Tango. I found a few that are close, but certainly wouldn’t pass the test by spectrophotometer. By the numbers, the sunset above needs a smidge more red, a dash of green, and a sprinkle of blue.
Here are a couple more with some hints here and there. Let’s hope the predictions of this color selection ring true.
Agate abstract Image #RO-8802
Sunrise, fog and moon, Milford, Michigan Image # SU-9295
It is eye catching, for sure. The sunrise with fog and moon is AWESOME!
Yeah, I like it Monte, it is a very energetic color. Thank you on the fog/moon shot.
Like Earl, I am always amazed that it is “that time” again. It certainly is a wise idea to stay on top of color trends, if one is attempting to do any marketing. Even though this is trendy California, where I live, we are several years behind the curve.
Anita, you know, for all these years I have been following it, I have never had one person contact me looking for a print in the Color of the Year. So, from the marketing aspect, I am undecided. Maybe it works out much better for Pantone. 🙂
It would be interesting observing the color of the year selection process at Pantone. Hopefully, it doesn’t involve a dart and dartboard of colors. 😉
It seems like only a couple of months ago you were doing this for 2011 — where has the time gone.
Mark, I think you’ve come reasonably close in your selection of the three images above. In any case beautiful photos.
Interesting that you mention the dartboard Earl, as I have read statements from their director that they “don’t just throw a dart.” 🙂 In fact, she details some of the selection process on her blog here: http://eisemancolorblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/what-do-you-think-about-tangerine-tango/
I actually missed 2011. The color was honeysuckle – someone of a pink color, and even though I have some pinks, I suppose I didn’t feel inspired enough to write about it last year.
I guess it was the 2010 Turquoise I remember you doing…even worst, a couple of years have gone by. 🙂
I’d forgotton it was that time of year again. I’ll have to go snooping through my own archives. You choices are lovely Mark.
Thanks Suzy. I am sure there is plenty of Tangerine Tango in the underwater world. I had some that were close, but a bit too yellow.
Oh, I love to look at the pantone colors…what a great idea to look for them in your photos. That agate shot is amazing!
Thanks for an inspiring post.
Sharon
Thank you Sharon.
Years ago I studied color theory because I worked in the photographic industry. It’s a subject I’m still interested in although I have not put much effort into lately. The Color of the Year is an interesting choice, as are your own examples. BTW, all three photos are outstanding. The agate, along with the other photos in that series are among my favorites.
I find it quite a fascinating area Ken. I wish I had more time to dig into it. Thanks.