Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Subtractive colors begin as which color?

1. Black

2. Blue

3. Red

4. White

The correct answer is: White

Subtractive colors begin as white. In the subtractive color model, which is commonly used in printing and mixing pigments, the process starts with white light. When various colors (typically cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are added, they absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others, resulting in the perception of color. Since all colors combined in this model can ultimately produce darker shades, including black, it emphasizes that white is the starting point before any colors are added. The logic behind this is rooted in how pigments work, as they reduce the amount of light that reflects back to our eyes by absorbing specific wavelengths. Therefore, white is foundational to understanding how subtractive color mixing operates.