Swan, Wyoming

Swan, Wyoming

Photograph by James P. Blair, National Geographic

This serene image by photographer James Blair succeeds all the more because of its cool blue palette. Every inch of the image says winter, peace, silence. Colors can imbue a photograph with a strong sense of mood. —Annie Griffiths

Photo Tip: Blues tend to be cool colors, especially the blues that drift toward purple. When they dominate a scene, we feel a shiver—an emotional response to the color. One blast of yellow or red in a mostly blue scene will warm it up and change our reaction. Remember to use color creatively in an image to leave an overall impression on the viewer.