Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

The combination of Cyan and Magenta absorbs which wavelengths?

1. Red and Yellow

2. Red and Green

3. Blue and Yellow

4. Green and Blue

The correct answer is: Red and Green

When examining the combination of Cyan and Magenta, it's essential to understand the concept of color absorption in the context of the subtractive color model. In this model, colors are created by subtracting wavelengths from white light. Cyan absorbs red wavelengths, while Magenta absorbs green wavelengths. When mixed, Cyan and Magenta together absorb the wavelengths of both red and green light. As a result, the remaining light that is reflected appears blue. This is why the absorption of red (by cyan) and green (by magenta) leads to the combination of these colors. The other options do not accurately identify the wavelengths absorbed by this combination. For instance, Blue and Yellow are not absorbed by both Cyan and Magenta but rather comprise the visible spectrum that these colors contribute to when considering the reflected light. Thus, the combination of Cyan and Magenta primarily absorbs red and green wavelengths, confirming that the provided answer accurately reflects the absorption characteristics in additive colors.