Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT one of Newton's seven basic hues?

1. Green

2. Red

3. Pink

4. Yellow

The correct answer is: Pink

The choice identifying pink as not one of Newton's seven basic hues is correct because Newton's color theory, established through his experiments with prisms, determines that the basic hues consist of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet. These colors represent the primary segments of the visible spectrum when white light is refracted through a prism. Pink, on the other hand, is not a hue found in this spectrum; it is a tint created by mixing red with white, which alters the lightness and chroma of the original hue. Therefore, it does not qualify as one of the fundamental colors in Newton's framework of color categorization. Understanding the distinction between basic hues and variations or tints, like pink, is crucial for photographers, as it affects not just traditional color theory but also practical applications in lighting and photography.