Compositional Design Basics: Contrast

Posted by Diana Eftaiha on Jun 13, 2010 in Photography Techniques | 4 comments

One of the most fundamental basics of design is contrast, and photography is no different. Contrast is basically the difference in visual properties that makes an object (or its representation in an image) distinguishable from other objects within the same field of view.

Contrast stresses the differences between graphic elements in an image; be it contrast in color, shape, texture, tone, luminosity, sensation…etc, resulting in this huge impact of having the contrasting elements reinforce each other making a photograph (or any visual piece of art for that matter) more interesting.

Contrast need not be limited to color; it can be found all around us and represented in so many ways. Contrasting element making up a photograph could be as simple as:

Large vs. small
bright vs. dark
light vs. heavy
subtle vs. bold
solid vs. liquid
thin vs. thick
horizontal vs. vertical
still vs. moving
sharp vs. blurred

and on and on and on…

Check out this great photo representing the dependant (the little kid), and the person he depends on (probably the parent). There’s also the contradiction between the sitting and the standing, the young and the old, the healthy and the ill. Ironically enough, the dependant’s supporter seem to appear week themselves, which creates some kind of subtle tension and an overwhelming feeling of empathy towards a helpless little kid and a somewhat helpless adult.

Photo by Saud A Faisal

Dependency [ Dhaka Bangladesh ] by Saud A Faisal.

Here’s another great example of contrast and contradiction. The still (sleeping) young beggar and the mobile woman. The young and the old. The rich and the poor. The sharp and the blurred. The helpless and the powerful…

Photo by sheilaz413