Contrast in My Photography
Over in Substack Juliette Mansour asks, “How Contrasty Are You?” So of course, I had to go pick some of my photos and try to answer the question.
Contrast has many aspects. There are scenes and subjects that are inherently contrasty and some that have almost none – foggy scenes for example.
My preference is for good, even high, contrast. That goes for foggy scenes as well, I like to snap up the contrast. The other thing that I like is to have a full tonal range, from deep black to white.
Almost all of my photos have micro-contrast enhanced to bring out details and textures.
Although I like contrasty light, I do like to “look into the shadows”.
The dancer above is from way back in 1955. I liked contrasty light and subjects back then and still do. And I do like shadows.
Here are two versions of the same photo. Both quite contrasty, but the “high-key” one won. As I said, I like to look into the shadows.
Finally, here is one with ultimate contrast. No shades of gray in this one, just pure black and white.
So to answer Juliette’s question, I would say quite contrasty, I like contrasty light, contrasty subjects, and wide tonal range.
.:. © 2024 Ludwig Keck