High contrast

Bright planes and deep shadows sit near each other, strongly separating form and focus.

Visual traits

• Bright highlights
• Deep shadows
• Large value separation

Expected changes

• Shadows are more likely to deepen
• Bright areas are more likely to stand out

Definition

High contrast strongly separates light and dark values to make edges, forms, and focal points read clearly. It does not include complementary hue relationships, light-source position, or exposure settings.

In more detail

Near-black shadows beside bright highlights give an image strong tonal tension. Color may be present or absent, and this is independent of high-key or low-key treatment. It is distinct from soft gradation with little value separation.

Includes

• Images with widely separated light and dark values
• Forms separated by strong value contrast

Excludes

• Contrast only between complementary hues
• Low-contrast smooth gradation
• Specification of light direction

What this does not imply

• A particular hue
• Night or ominous emotion
• A particular light fixture

Variability

Amount of midtone and color can be adjusted separately.

Usage

• Separate light and dark values clearly

Distinguish similar expressions

• Specify hue separately

Typical uses

• Separate form and focus strongly through value
• Create forceful tonal design

Possible failure modes

• Only midtones remain
• Clipping loses form in white or black
• Only hue contrast remains