PH2 J. Finnigan302.300Figure 5-16.–Photograph emphasizing texture.Tonal ContrastIn black-and-white photography, contrast isconsidered either high, normal, or low. A high-contrastscene or photograph consists primarily of white andblack with few or no middle gray tones. A black sailorin a white uniform against a light background is anexample of a high-contrast (contrasty) scene. Mostscenes you photograph have normal contrast. There willprobably be elements within the scene that are very lightor white, some that are very dark or black, and manytones or colors that reproduce as various tones of gray.A low-contrast (flat) scene has colors or tones in whichhighlights and shadows have very little difference indensities. In other words, all colors or tones within thescene are very similar in appearance. A white sailor in awhite uniform against a light background is an exampleof a scene with low contrast.In black-and-white photography, high contrastconveys a sense of hardness and is characteristic ofstrength and power. Low contrast conveys a sense ofsoftness and is characteristic of gentleness and mildness.Color ContrastColor contrast is an effective compositional elementin color photography, just as tone is in black-and-whitephotography. Colors with opposite characteristicscontrast strongly when placed together. Each coloraccentuates the qualities of the other and makes the colorimages stand out dramatically. Color contrast isenhanced when you create the contrast of detail againstmass. An example is a single, bright, red flower in aclear, glass vase photographed against a bright, greenbackground.Cold colors (bluish) and warm colors (reddish)almost always contrast. Cold colors recede, while warmcolors advance. Light colors contrast against dark ones,and a bold color offsets a weak color.5-19
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
