Chiaroscuro is an Italian expression which can be translated literally as "light-dark" and arose out of its use in painting - where subjects in dark scenes were dramatically illuminated using shafts of light.
Chiaroscuro, as an approach, is an effective means of providing the contrast essential to good composition where it:
- establishes tonal relationships;
- conveys dimensionality;
- determines compositional structure; and
- highlights areas of visual importance
Johannes Itten described
chiaroscuro as "one of the most expressive and important means of composition" [in "The Photographer's Eye" by Michael Freeman (2007), page 110]. Compositional devices involving the application of
chiaroscuro include:
- crating ambiguity
- emphasising outline
- formation of primary patterns through caustics (i.e. reflected or refracted patterns of light)
- reinforcement of secondary patterns e.g. sunlight dappling an already-dappled forest floor
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