Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

A monochromatic color scheme is created using different tones of ____________.

1. multiple colors

2. two colors

3. one color

4. no colors

The correct answer is: one color

A monochromatic color scheme is defined by the use of variations in lightness and saturation of a single color. This can include the use of tints (which involve adding white), shades (which involve adding black), and tones (which involve adding gray) of that one color. These variations create a cohesive and harmonious visual effect, allowing the photographer or artist to explore depth and texture without the distraction of contrasting colors. In this context, the other options do not fit the definition of a monochromatic scheme. Using multiple colors or two colors would create a different type of color scheme, such as complementary or analogous, which rely on the interaction between different hues. Similarly, using no colors would not result in a color scheme at all. Thus, the concept of a monochromatic color scheme is fundamentally rooted in the exploration and manipulation of a singular color and its variations.