Understanding Contrast in Photography

Knowing how to use contrast will help you create eye-catching images.  Contrast is a tool that photographers use to direct viewer’s attention to their subject.  There are two types of contrast: Tonal Contrast and Color Contrast.  Tonal contrast refers to the difference in tones from the lightest tone to the darkest tone, in other words, the difference in tones from white to gray to black.  Color contrast refers to the way colors interact with each other.

Tonal Contrast is normally described as high, normal or low.  A high contrast image mainly includes white and black with few or no middle grey tones.  A normal contrast image will have elements that are white, some that are black and many middle tones of grey.  A low contrast image is the one with almost no highlights or shadows; all the tones are very similar one to the other.  High contrast images are harsh while low contrast images are soft.

Color contrast is used to achieve great compositions.  Colors with opposite characteristics, like blue and yellow, contrast strongly when placed together.  When two opposing colors are placed together they complement and accentuate the qualities of the other color.  Cold colors and warm colors almost always contrast, light colors contrast against dark ones and bold colors offset weak colors.

Composition in photographs is also classified as low and high key scenes.  When an image contains mostly dark tones or colors it is referred to as low key, when it contains light tones or colors it is said to be high key.  Low and high key images transmit moods.  Normally a low-key image is serious and mysterious while a high-key image creates a feeling of lightness and delicate subjects.

Silhouettes are a good example of tonal contrast.  Silhouettes are created through a sharp difference between dark and light areas.  Color contrasted images contain complementary, or also called opposite, colors.  Two colors on the opposite side of the color wheel create contrasting colors.  Yellow & Blue or Green & Red create contrasting images that grab attention.

The important part is to learn how to combine and use to your advantage tonal contrast and color contrast or even how to compensate them when used separately.  Great color contrast is a great way to compensate for tonal contrast.  An image with low tonal contrast can be improved by incorporating a contrasting color into it. 

A photo with low contrasting colors, for example, yellow and orange, can look great if a tonal contrast is accomplished by using lighter and darker yellows and oranges.  Photos with low contrasting colors are quieter but generally great for seasonal and landscape images.

Another characteristic that impacts contrast is color saturation.  Color contrast improves as the vibrancy of the colors increase.  When the tonal contrast is very similar between colors, color contrast is reduced, as color saturation increases color contrast takes over.

Color contrast works better when using few and larger color masses.  As more colors are incorporated then tonal contrast takes over.

Learning how to use and incorporate contrast in your images will certainly produce amazing results.  Contrast will turn your images into an eye-catching photo and properly used can turn an ok photo into an awesome creation.  

The Mystery of the Biscayne’s Bay Piano

An abandoned piano was found on a sandbar in Florida’s Biscayne Bay.  It’s a mystery:  Who placed a 600 lb piano in the middle of a bay and more intriguing went unnoticed?

It’s been a mystery for almost 20 days since neighbors of Miami Shores started noticing the Piano, the news went viral after NBC Miami posted the news.  Why is it there: a prank, a bet, a domestic dispute, maybe its part of the opening events of the New World Symphony building.  No one seems to really know and no one and as long as it does not cause problems for boats and wildlife then it will not be moved.

It had to be well planned.  It is placed in the highest part of a sandbar, which prevents the high tides from covering it.  Even dolphins have been spotted in the surroundings, maybe trying to investigate and understand what that strange object is.   Pelicans and seagulls are already making it part of their daily stops.

Independent moviemaker Billy Yaeger just came forward claiming credit for the placement of the piano, saying he and his wife (a very strong woman) hauled it there while shooting a film, ‘Jesus of Malibu’.  He goes on saying they’ve left five pianos around the world in different locations as an artistic protest.

Anyway it’s a fun and curious news.  The piano is a nice addition to the bay and a highlight for many people in Miami.  Maybe some one can teach the pelicans and the seagulls to play the piano and serenade couples, creating a real piano bar in the open waters of Biscayne Bay.

Miami International Art Fair 2011 Draws Art Enthusiasts

The Miami International Art Fair opened its doors on Thursday January 13 for a preview with a selected few and for an enthusiastic art crowd from Friday to Monday January 17. 

MIA offered an energizing new wave of performance projects and the first viewing of America’s most exciting mid-winter contemporary art fair, with 25 local and 48 international dealers and artists; some of the dealers being artists themselves.  Featuring contemporary, emerging, conceptual and modern art of all media, including photography, installations, performance and video. 

The diversity and offering of art variety created excitement and curiosity of both adults and children.  The techniques used and the creativity continues to amaze as new and modern technology is incorporated into art creation.  Simple materials as straws and paper bags up to miniature led screens are being incorporated and used to create amazing pieces for art lovers and collectors.

MIA Art Fair was sponsored by Collectrium, The Art Newspaper, Seven Sea Cruises, Florida Design Magazine, Opci Wine Company, Black River Caviar and Tesla Motors.  Hopefully this list will continue to grow and as requested by many the Art Fair can start having an event also during the summer months.

Several book signings took place, also lectures and panel discussions as well as video screenings.  MIA opened its doors with great reviews.  MIA great art exhibition will certainly continue to grow year after year.