Basic Photography Course

PH2 J. Finnigan

302.300

Figure 5-16.Photograph emphasizing texture.

Tonal Contrast

In black-and-white photography, contrast is

considered either high, normal, or low. A high-contrast
scene or photograph consists primarily of white and
black with few or no middle gray tones. A black sailor
in a white uniform against a light background is an
example of a high-contrast (contrasty) scene. Most
scenes you photograph have normal contrast. There will
probably be elements within the scene that are very light
or white, some that are very dark or black, and many
tones or colors that reproduce as various tones of gray.
A low-contrast (flat) scene has colors or tones in which
highlights and shadows have very little difference in

densities. In other words, all colors or tones within the
scene are very similar in appearance. A white sailor in a
white uniform against a light background is an example
of a scene with low contrast.

In black-and-white photography, high contrast

conveys a sense of hardness and is characteristic of

strength and power. Low contrast conveys a sense of
softness and is characteristic of gentleness and mildness.

Color Contrast

Color contrast is an effective compositional element

in color photography, just as tone is in black-and-white
photography. Colors with opposite characteristics
contrast strongly when placed together. Each color
accentuates the qualities of the other and makes the color
images stand out dramatically. Color contrast is
enhanced when you create the contrast of detail against
mass. An example is a single, bright, red flower in a
clear, glass vase photographed against a bright, green
background.

Cold colors (bluish) and warm colors (reddish)

almost always contrast. Cold colors recede, while warm
colors advance. Light colors contrast against dark ones,
and a bold color offsets a weak color.

5-19

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> PH2 J. Finnigan 302.300 Figure 5-16.Photograph emphasizing texture. Tonal Contrast In black-and-white photography, contrast is considered either high, normal, or low. A high-contrast scene or photograph consists primarily of white and black with few or no middle gray tones. A black sailor in a white uniform against a light background is an example of a high-contrast (contrasty) scene. Most scenes you photograph have normal contrast. There will probably be elements within the scene that are very light or white, some that are very dark or black, and many tones or colors that reproduce as various tones of gray. A low-contrast (flat) scene has colors or tones in which highlights and shadows have very little difference in densities. In other words, all colors or tones within the scene are very similar in appearance. A white sailor in a white uniform against a light background is an example of a scene with low contrast. In black-and-white photography, high contrast conveys a sense of hardness and is characteristic of strength and power. Low contrast conveys a sense of softness and is characteristic of gentleness and mildness. Color Contrast Color contrast is an effective compositional element in color photography, just as tone is in black-and-white photography. Colors with opposite characteristics contrast strongly when placed together. Each color accentuates the qualities of the other and makes the color images stand out dramatically. Color contrast is enhanced when you create the contrast of detail against mass. An example is a single, bright, red flower in a clear, glass vase photographed against a bright, green background. Cold colors (bluish) and warm colors (reddish) almost always contrast. Cold colors recede, while warm colors advance. Light colors contrast against dark ones, and a bold color offsets a weak color. 5-19 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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