Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

The ink color Yellow absorbs which color?

1. Green

2. Red

3. Blue

4. Cyan

The correct answer is: Blue

The ink color Yellow absorbs blue light. In the context of color theory, particularly the subtractive color model used in printing, primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. When yellow ink is used, it reflects red and green light while subtracting blue light from the combination of visible light. In the traditional understanding of color mixing, yellow is often seen as a primary color, meaning it is a source of reflected light that, when combined with other colors, can create various hues. When yellow is present, it absorbs the blue component of the light spectrum. As a result, areas printed with yellow ink will appear less vibrant when illuminated by blue light because the blue is absorbed rather than reflected. The other options do not apply because green, red, and cyan all involve light that yellow either reflects or allows to pass through rather than absorb. This understanding of color mixing and absorption is essential for photographers and printers who need to manipulate colors effectively in their work.