As a digital cinematographer, you should know how to perceive light without being distracted by the color, thinking only of values and illumination. Color can add a layer to the image, but if the image is not compelling in monochrome the addition of color will not save it. For that reason we introduce color only after a discussion of the underlying lighting techniques. It may not be the critical factor in image creation, but color is a very important part of the cinematographer's toolbox. It is a powerful tool that can have great emotional effect on the viewer and add to the power of an image.
Color can set the tone, emphasize the emotional state of a character, or establish the time of day.
Bright colors draw the viewer's eye to a specific part of the scene, whereas contrasting colors draw a figure out of the background. As a cinematographer, your primary concern with color in a scene is tinting the lights to produce an overall color scheme. The color of the lights combines and interacts with the color of the objects. Randomly combined, without coordination, color can detract from the impact of an image, creating a visual chaos. By orchestrating the color of the lights, the background, the props, and the characters, you can use it as a thematic as well as an aesthetic tool.