Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Which primary colors are mixed in subtractive color mixing?

1. Cyan, yellow, and black

2. Cyan, magenta, and yellow

3. Red, blue, and green

4. Red, green, and yellow

The correct answer is: Cyan, magenta, and yellow

In subtractive color mixing, the primary colors used are cyan, magenta, and yellow. This method is typically applied in the context of color printing and painting, where pigments or inks are combined to create a range of colors. When these primary colors are mixed together, they absorb (subtract) certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. For instance, mixing cyan and magenta produces blue, while combining yellow with magenta yields red. The resulting colors depend on the wavelengths that are reflected from the mixed pigments. This system is particularly effective in producing a wide variety of colors and is foundational in both artistic applications and color printing techniques. The other options listed do not accurately represent the primary colors used in subtractive mixing. Red, blue, and green are primary colors in additive color mixing, which involves light rather than pigments. Similarly, red, green, and yellow, and cyan, yellow, and black do not operate within the subtractive color wheel, as they represent a different mixing process or palette.