Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What addition to a color wheel modifies a color to a lighter version?

1. Adding gray

2. Adding white

3. Adding black

4. Subtracting color

The correct answer is: Adding white

When modifying a color to create a lighter version, the most effective method is by adding white to the original hue. This process is known as tinting, where the addition of white increases the lightness of the color without changing its hue. For instance, if you take a pure red and blend in white, the result is a lighter shade of red, commonly referred to as pink. The other methods do not produce a lighter version of a color. Adding gray, for example, creates a tone, which can darken the color's appearance by reducing its brightness. Adding black results in a shade, making the color darker. Subtracting color often refers to reducing saturation or intensity rather than adjusting brightness. All these methods lead to changes in color characteristics but do not specifically lighten the color as effectively as adding white does.