Project 52, Week 22, Contrast

This week we concentrate on contrasts - the obvious differences between elements in the scene.  Any element may have a corresponding contrasting element. 

Just a few obvious examples:

• Colors - dandelion yellow against spring green grass
• Lights and shadows/low lights highlight - light shining through a window into a dark room
• Sizes - a baby's hand on top of daddy's hand
• Shapes - a round ball next to a baseball bat.
• Textures - Grandma's wrinkled hand against granddaughter's smooth cheek
• Objects/subjects - a gun lying on top of a Bible
• Positions - a horizontal bench surrounded by vertical trees
• Tones - Girl in blue dress in blue boat on blue water; black/white photos

Things to consider:

• Often contrast is used to discuss colors and tones, but as seen in the above examples, contrast in  this week's project covers more than color.
• Use contrast to draw attention to your subject. (a red rose in the middle of brown mud)
• Use contrast to 'tell the story'. (For example: a baby's hand on top of daddy's hand)
• To be most effective, contrasts should be found naturally in the environment.  They should not look (too) contrived.
• Two or three subjects with a large contrast in size may be difficult to get into the frame.  Be creative.

Although the following paragraphs reference black and white photography, high, normal, and low contrast labels also apply to color photographs.

"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."  NAVY training course

Suggested Readings and Examples:

Contrast:

1. Photographic Composition, Part 1: Contrast by Doug Wilson  from ImagePhotog; 3.5 minutes lecture type Youtube video
2. Photography Rules of Composition - Visual Weight from Ultimate Photo Tips
3. Complementary Contrast and Quantity Contrast from Graphics.com; medium size article with lots of illustrative photos, mainly on color values, but also gives examples of other contrasting elements
4. Photo Technique, by Alex Wild from Myrmecos Blog; Bug/insect photos, Photo 6 shows a contrast in color, photo 7 shows a contrast in texture
5. Contrast Sonora Newborn Photographer.html from jodi mockabee photography; 3 photographs of same baby and man - the artist, Jodi Mockabee, says "Everyone loves the contrast between old and young; it photographs so beautifully because such contrast evokes emotions in each of us ... Tattoos have a hardness about them and babies are so naturally soft.  Tattoos tell a story and the newborn ha yet to start their own.  The contrast between these two is so great, yet the bond between them is greater."

Color/Tone Contrasts:

1. Color, Contrast, and Composition by Bryan Peterson from AdoramaTV; 3 minute Youtube video
2. Using Flash for Contrast and Creating Contrast with a Flash by Bryan Peterson from AdoramaTV; 3 - 3.5 minute Youtube videos explaining how to make the background black using a flash
3. 40 Beautiful Examples of Black and White Photography from Web Design Ledger; 40 pictures illustrating contrasts in tones
4. Mastering Composition: Tonal Contrast by Andrew Gibson from MasteringPhoto.com; examples of tonal contrast for the same photo in color and b/w
5. Composition: Contrast and Simplicity an assignment for Mr. Darling's Grade 11 TGJ class ; 2 photos (actually one picture is for Simplicity but it also shows contrasting colors and textures.)
6. Contrast - Photography Composition Techniques by Rhonda Callow from Bright Hub
7. Color Wheel,Classifications, Emotional Effects, and Color Theory/ from PELFUSION
8. Underwater Photography Composition Tips: Think About Your Background from Aquaviews; 6 underwater photos of good contrast with 2 pictures of poor contrast.