The Dimensions of Contrast
Contrast exists as a very fundamental instinct of human nature. Contrast is the description of things that are strikingly different from each other. However slight, we as people are always looking for references to compare things against. Every and any descriptors exists entirely contextually. What animals may be big compared to a human will seem small against any skyscrapper. What temperature may be cool in the summer only seem hot in the winter. In photos we are naturally drawn to contrast.
Contrast in photos also lives on many dimensions. The most obvious being the contrast slider we all are so familiar with when editing photos. But the most sought after contrast is the visual contrast between things in focus and objects out of focus, AKA: Bokeh. Colours, size, gestures, juxtoposition, expectations, all of which can contribute to creating contrast for the viewers.
Shooting for contrast:
When shooting, I intentionally look for areas which are visually contrasting to any subject. Considering forms of contrast through actual events that are taking place within the photo between subjects are objectively taken through luck, I would maximise the draw of the image by looking for areas of natural contrast. Living in the tropics I have the unfortunate issue of the sun constantly being very high in the sky or having overcast weather majority of the days.
Shoot at areas transitioning from sheltered to open areas:
Buildings and tunnels give shadows that will hopefully direct light on any subject which will help direct the viewer’s attention to the focus of the scene. Naturally, casting shadows and obscuring areas of the image help direct the eyes to what we deem to be the subject in the frame.
Work with artificial Light:
Night Photography naturally has a lot of negative space. Work around the artificial light to capture moments where people step within the illumintated area. “Low Light” does not mean “No Light”. Hang around areas with good lighting to help your camera
Back lit subjects to add dimension
Often times as a kid, we were told to look directly in the sun to take photos because shadows were being cast on our face and it was hard to see our faces. Unlike film which captures no data in the shadows, I work digitally which means I can still recover shadow details if wanted, but it is the difference between the shadows cast and the light sources which create the dimension to an image.
Editing will help bring your end resuult closer to the intended vision. The tips I do have for editing is simple. All i am doing is enhancing the already strong contrast attribute that is available in the scene. I do not artificially make scenes that are low contrast to scenes of high contrast. Work with the strengths of the images that you choose to edit.
However, for images in black and white, since the scene is already abstracted to the viewer through the deduction of colour, i would usually allow to break the rule of creating contrast. Especially due to a stylistic choice where i do not enjoy very grey photos. I tend to prefer crushing shadows and inky blacks. I see the deep blacks as a medchanism more to pair with the fact that i do not push any pixel to pure white. In that sense, the pure blacks are necessary as to reach a level of pleasing contrast.
After all, it is just a preference that I have explored and may change in the future. I would say the best editing choice for an image visually would come down to the image taken itself and your preference. Creating something that does not originally exist within the image will give the viewers a feeling of unease, therefore, use Masking sparingly and edit as little as possible.
