Contrast is one of the fundamental concepts in photography. Understanding it is crucial for handling a photo well. From a narrow perspective, contrast is the ratio of brightness to darkness differences in a photograph. With contrast, there are different tones between black, gray, and white; If the contrast is 0, there will be no difference between light and dark.
In this article, we will discuss three different types of comparisons -; — In our photos, whether you are conscious or not, we are using contrast.
Firstly, let's quickly understand what high and low contrast mean. High contrast images have a full range of tones from black to white, with strong colors and textures.
If you shoot in bright sunlight, you will get high contrast highlights and shadows. Low contrast images do not have a significant difference between light and dark tones and may appear soft or dim, but they may give people another interesting feeling (such as images taken in fog).
Color tone contrast
The strong contrast between light and dark tones creates a great impact. For example, white flowers on a regular dark background in a studio would be a typical example of color contrast. The contrast of color tones can guide the audience's gaze around the subject of the image. In the following picture, the eyes will be attracted to the light (i.e. highlight) parts of the image, while dark tones obscure the surrounding details.
Tone contrast is particularly used in black and white images, and it is easier to notice contrast in black and white photos because there is no color to distract attention. Good color tone contrast will make your photos more dramatic and attract the audience's attention
Color Comparison
The vivid color contrast makes the photo more lively and bold. However, we need to understand the principle of color. Generally speaking, color can be divided into warm and cool colors. When pairing warm and cool colors, color contrast is most effective. Classic color contrasts are red/green, orange/blue, and yellow/purple.
So, how to take photos with strong color contrast? Of course, the simplest method is to build your own scene. We can purchase colored paper from any craft store as a background or have models wear clothes of specific colors. Flowers and fruits can have strong color combinations, and other bright color contrasts can also be found in nature, such as bright flowers and green leaves.
Concept comparison
Conceptual contrast is a more abstract form of contrast than color tone and color contrast, and is a less obvious form of contrast, such as high low contrast, rich poor contrast, etc., which can be expressed in photos. It is related to concepts and ideas rather than actual object colors, but equally effective in increasing interest in photos. It helps to increase depth and encourage audience interaction with your photos.
To some extent, conceptual contrast is often easier to create good works than using color tones and color contrasts. Although this is an abstract concept, it can truly enhance your creativity!
