Wedding Photography Advice - Colors

When it comes to the color of a dress I'm sure the last thing you would consider is advice from a photographer, that is, unless you were related to one.
 
Let's begin with a high school science lesson. Here goes, first thing I can tell you is that a good photographer understands the visible spectrum of light. Sound familiar? Probably not; but it is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye such as in a rainbow. The colors in a rainbow are all the colors of visible light that can be produced on a wavelength.
 
Enough science, what does this mean to you? What it means is that although we can see all the colors in a rainbow, unfortunately cameras do not! Technology has yet to catch up with the human eye. This needs to be considered when you are purchasing clothing in which you want to be photographed. Violet is at the far end of the visible light spectrum and does not accurately reproduce when photographed; unfortunately violet appears blue when photographed.
 
The color of material is not the only variable to consider. Materials play a huge roll in how a color appears. No matter what type of material is used it reflects light. Most people never consider how much light changes based on where you are located. Whether you are inside, outside on a cloudy or a sunny day, outside in the shade of a tree or a building, on grass, dirt or even concrete, light color is different. The same material will photograph differently in all these instances. Now let’s take into account the type of material used, shinny/glossy, matte/dull, smooth/silky or textured/rough. These variables play into the equation as much as the color. Light colors reflect brighter and darker colors absorb more light and reflect less color. Funny, as I am writing this I am thinking how most of what I am writing also affects skin tone as well.
 
So what works to get great results? For better photographs my advice is to avoid the color violet, including some purples, and select a non-glossy/shinny material for your bridesmaid’s dresses.