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USING TONAL CONTRAST CREATIVELY IN YOUR PHOTOS

Quick Guide
Written by Amy Grace
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 Contrast is one of the most crucial components of In this guide you will learn the following:
a great photo. If it’s not done correctly, you end up
with photos where the subject is lost in the mix and · What is tonal contrast in photography?
seemingly out of place in the frame. · Why should you use tonal contrast?
Proper use of tonal contrast in photography is a · The difference between color contrast and tonal
good way to set the mood in your photos and contrast
grab the viewer’s attention. The key is identifying
your dominant tone, choosing a complementary · Ten techniques to use tonal contrast creatively
companion tone, and creating a visual sensation that
effectively uses both tones to draw the viewer in. · A self-check quiz to ensure you learned
properly!
In this guide, you will learn how to use tonal contrast
creatively and effectively. Recommended Reading: If you’d like to
improve your composition skills for better
images, grab a copy of Photzy’s best-selling
premium guide: Advanced Composition.

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 WHAT IS TONAL CONTRAST IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

In an effort to fully understand tonal contrast, of a photograph. Or simply put, the difference
let’s start with a brief overview of the concept of between various tones.
“tonality” in photography. According to the Oxford
Dictionary, the word “tonality” refers to the color The contrast is best described as the difference
scheme or range of tones used in a picture. between large and small areas of resulting luminance
values.
Essentially, it is referring to a qualitative measurement
by which we can assess how various tones are used Hence, tonal contrast is the difference between two
within a photograph. tones. In an image or even a scene, there will be
high-key areas (light) and low-key areas (dark). The
Tonal contrast in photography is the difference most obvious example would be a sunset image with
in the luminance values between different areas a light sky and a dark foreground.

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 WHY USE TONAL CONTRAST IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

There are many elements to consider while taking · Tonal contrast exists to draw your attention
a photo, with the most obvious being subject and to contrasting elements like shadows and
composition. Of course, aside from these two things, highlights which help guide the viewer’s eyes
there are other considerations that should be kept in around the image.
mind at all times.
Good tonal contrast, either light to dark or dark
Tonal contrast is one of these considerations, and it to light, allows the eye to follow discernible
can play an important role in a photo’s final quality. lines through one’s photograph.

When shooting images with tonal contrast in · It can be used to create visual hierarchy,
mind, you’re striving to present a singular feeling improve emphasis, and bring attention to
within the image. When a viewer takes in your specific parts of an image.
image, they should be able to identify a single
subject based on its visual impact alone. · The greater the tonal contrast between two
areas is, the stronger the visual separation is.
Tonal contrast is important in photography because People tend to focus on areas with the highest
it draws the eye to various elements in a photograph. levels of contrast.
The difference between light and dark regions, or
bright and muted colors, is what makes images Tonal contrast doesn’t have to be extreme in
interesting and eye-catching. nature; sometimes simple adjustments can help
you drastically change the tonal values of an
· Tonal contrast helps you accentuate key areas image.
within the image and eliminates distractions
from the rest of the composition. In conclusion, tonal contrast in photography is used
to add visual interest to your image. It brings the
contrast between large areas of illumination and
darkness while keeping a consistent light source or
color temperature.

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 However, the general purpose of photographs is A high enough tonal contrast level can even help a
to capture moments, so with this contrast being black and white photo look better than the full-color
used sparingly, it will enhance the image rather than version.
diminish it. Using photos with stark contrasts may
attract criticism from viewers who prefer something That being said, tonal contrast doesn’t have to be
more subtle and less dramatic. entirely about light and dark. When there is a range
of tones between two colors, tonal contrast can
The effect of tonal contrast is all in the eye of the occur.
beholder, so if you like how a photo looks with it,
then it’s definitely worth using. Thus, use it only To put this in visual terms, red and green will appear
when you feel it’s appropriate. contrasting, as color contrast is more obvious than
tone contrast. But different shades of red will blend
Making the most out of light and shadow using into one another more seamlessly, providing tonal
tonal contrasts will make your photos look more contrast.
interesting, give them depth, and boost the artistic
quality. From landscapes to portraits, you can enhance your
shots with various colors and shadows. A lovely
What are the differences between tonal contrast and sunset works wonderfully with the golden tones of a
color contrast in photography? sandy beach.

Even though color contrast is more popular, it’s If you’re an animal photographer, it can be harder to
important to remember that tonal contrast can still make the subject stand out from a wooden backdrop
make a big impact on your photographs. or from a shady forest. Making use of tonal contrast
in these cases helps the colors stand out more
Tonal contrast emphasizes the difference in clearly.
lightness and darkness. Color contrast, on the
other hand, emphasizes the difference between It’s difficult to imagine a scene with tons of color
colors. contrast but no tonal contrast (unless it’s a black and
white image). Usually, there is interaction between
When it comes to black and white photography and the two.
editing, tonal contrast is more important than color.

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 GUIDE TO USING TONAL CONTRAST CREATIVELY IN YOUR PHOTOS

Tonal contrast is a powerful tool that can be used following tips will provide you with a few ideas for
to great effect. However, it can be difficult to use in how you can incorporate tonal contrast creatively
a way that looks natural, and even some pros may into your work.
be confused about how to properly apply it. The

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 1. TONAL COMPOSITIONAL
BALANCE

When using complementary tones in your

composition, remember that you need
to also balance the composition through
elements of tone.

While the relative differences between

warm and cool colors are important, so
too is the interplay of opposite colors (say,
red and green), as well as high-intensity
colors with low-intensity hues (like adding
a touch of red to blue).

To help you think about it another way, if

an area has too much contrast, it reads as
overbearing and overpowering, whereas
if there’s not enough contrast, everything
starts to blend dully together.

In the image on the left, there is little

tonal contrast; the house, sky, and grass
are all brightly illuminated. Though there
Photograph by John Cameron
are tonal contrasts in parts of the image,
it does not create a sense of balance
throughout.

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 In this image, however, the shadows
caused by the forest create a contrast
with the sunlight, resulting in a balanced
composition. This naturally helps the
subject (in this case, the house) get more
emphasis.

A composition may have a good balance,

but that doesn’t mean the overall impact
of the piece is overwhelmingly positive.
Tonal compositional balance only goes
so far as to ensure that the tones of
your photo are present in roughly equal
amounts.

Photograph by Glenn Haertlein

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 2. DARK VS. LIGHT
BACKGROUND

Whether a photographer is addressing

memories or moments, there are
important decisions to be made about
the direction of the shoot. The differences
between light and dark backgrounds and
how they complement different areas
of the frame will continue to affect the
decisions we make with our work.

Context matters more than choice when

it comes to which background is right for
any given project. In the image on the
left, a light background helps provide a
focal point: the rocks.

But the photo on the next page features

a darker background which presents the
branches and leaves beautifully.

Photograph by Jacob Amson

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 This is not to say that the background
must contrast with the subject. In
the image on the next page, a light
background is used with two human
subjects that are well illuminated,
providing minimal tonal contrast. But it’s
still a good composition due to the use
of leading lines and complementary color
schemes which suit the aesthetic of the
shot.

Photograph by Jacob Amson

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 We could go on and on about this topic,
but the main takeaway is that you should
use whichever background tone that fits
the mood of your photo the best.

Recommended Reading: If you’d

like to improve your composition
skills for better images, grab a copy
of Photzy’s best-selling premium
guide: Advanced Composition.

Photograph by Trevor Hayes

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 3. USING NATURAL LIGHT

Putting yourself into a situation where natural light

makes your photos really “pop” might mean working
a little harder and getting out of the comfort zone of
your studio or home setup, but the results you’ll get
are generally worth the extra effort.

Even when the natural light is soft, you can use it

to create interesting tonal contrast in your photos
by keeping it off the subjects for a few seconds
before snapping the shutter. This will allow beautiful
shadows to form on your subjects as the light
illuminates the scene behind them.

Using a diffused window light can also create aerial

highlights that imply depth and provide visual
interest to otherwise flat objects. You’ll be able to
achieve photos that have lots of dynamic range and
moodier tones.

If you want to use natural light for tonal contrast,

be it for the purpose of compositional balance or
otherwise, remember to make the most of it by
taking the time to experiment.

With that being said, as much as natural light is a

valuable tool, it can’t be relied upon. Whether you’re
Photograph by Dyu - Ha working indoors or out, always have an extra set of
lighting tools on hand. You never know when they
may come in handy.

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 4. CREATING A
MONOCHROMATIC
COLOR SCHEME

A monochromatic color scheme is a color

scheme that uses various tones or shades
of one or two adjacent colors. By making
different shades of the same color, you
can highlight certain parts of the scene
and generate shapes that wouldn’t
otherwise be possible.

The biggest con to monochromatic color

schemes is that they can often feel dull
and uninteresting. However, if you find a
way to mix in brighter colors or splashes
of complementary colors, it can really
shake things up, like in the image on the
next page.

Photograph by Pascal M

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 Monochromatic color schemes don’t
have the same high contrast that you
would get from colorful pictures (e.g.,
red + green, blue + orange). Instead,
they create a very subtle contrast that is
visually calming.

Photograph by Homescreenify

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 5. PROVIDING TONAL
CONTRAST TO TEXTURES

Have you wondered why some photos

look more realistic than others? Have you
ever noticed in images how the textures
can give a sense of a 3D element when
they take on different hues? Applying
tonal contrasts to textures can make
pictures look realistic.

The cracked and bumpy textures in

the image on the left are contrasted
gracefully with the use of tones, despite
having almost the same color scheme
throughout.

Photos with varying tones and textures

create a greater sense of dimensionality,
which looks more appealing. So, the next
time you’re trying to capture a perfect
Photograph by Jude Infantini
shot, don’t forget to apply tonal contrast
to textures and make your photo stand
out!

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 6. STORYTELLING BY
USING TONAL CONTRAST

When taking photos for storytelling

purposes, you’re not necessarily looking
for technically perfect images. You’re
instead looking for an image that says
something meaningful, and in this case,
uses tonal contrast creatively to do so.

When used correctly, tonal contrast can

help in creating a narrative and evoking
an emotion. In the image on the left, the
viewer may initially think they see a photo
of a person with a disability, but once they
keep looking, it may trigger thoughts of
determination and perseverance, leaving
them feeling motivated.

Photograph by Ariel Pilotto

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 7. BEING DRAMATIC
WITH FRAMING

Although the photos that you take use

tonal contrast, often the problem is that
they lack dramatic interest because of the
lack of framing. Framing your subject will
give it more visual appeal with a sense
of being trapped by the shot that you’re
taking.

Is the image on the left a photo of a

puddle’s reflection or a cave’s opening?
Is the tree shaped like that or framed
invertedly? Framing images like this
alongside discernible tonal contrast will
always leave the viewer guessing.

Browsing through historical content and

exploring hundreds of photographs from
around the world, we have seen many
images that possess a very special and
dramatic contrast. Framing can have a
dramatic effect, playing with the scale and
proportion to add dynamism and drama
to a shot.

Photograph by Javardh

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 8. USING LINES
AND CURVES

By using lines and curves with contrast in

a scene, a photographer can manipulate
the viewer’s focus. This provides for more
dynamic compositions and encourages
viewers to explore your photograph
further.

In the image on the left, the silhouette

of the body provides curves that are
emphasized due to stark tonal contrast
with the background. The lights and walls
in the backgrounds are also placed in
linear directions, which do tonally contrast
each other and frame the subject.

Tonal contrasts between dark and light

sections amplify the shapes and lines in a
photograph. Photographs are more than
Photograph by Ostap Senyuk
just snapshots, and using this technique
is like painting with a brush that paints its
own picture.

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 9. APPLYING TONAL
CONTRAST THROUGH
POST-PRODUCTION

Post-processing is vital for adding and/or

maintaining tonal contrast in a photo. You
may capture a shot that is well composed
but lacks the tonal contrast which you
were intending. And there may be no way
to retake the shot or get tonal contrast in
the real-life setting.

In that case, post-production will help you

achieve that goal.

Plenty of photographers utilize post-

production not only to use tonal
contrast creatively, but to also maintain
a professional standard of the image. All
the images that you’ve seen throughout
this guide have some sort of photo
Photograph by Peter Stumpf
editing done to them. Thus, do not
underestimate the power of post-
production for tonal contrast or otherwise!

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 10. EXPERIMENT AND HAVE FUN!

Get out there and try using different tonal contrasts

and really see what happens. Alternating similar
tones can lead to your best abstract photography
yet!

What drew you to photography in the first place? It

could be beautiful photos of nature, or perhaps a
subject that is near and dear to your heart. It may not
necessarily be a shot that is perfect in photographic
theory.

Experiment by using different tones with different

textures, using light and shadow, or even using
negative space. Start noticing how tonal contrast
affects different objects in your daily life and
incorporate that knowledge into your work.

Ultimately, remember that you are the artist behind

your work. Don’t be afraid to break the rules if that’s
what it takes for you to create the shot you want.

Practice will take you a long way when it comes

to maximizing your photographs’ tonal contrast.
Practice, experiment, and you’ll get there.

Recommended Reading: If you’d like to

improve your composition skills for better
images, grab a copy of Photzy’s best-selling
premium guide: Advanced Composition.
Photograph by Wendy Wei

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 CONCLUSION

Tonal contrast in photography can be

used in a number of ways, from minor
adjustments in exposure to creating
striking compositions that attract and hold
attention. Not all photographs benefit
from tonal contrast, so it’s important to
understand how this concept works when
composing your shots.

We hope this guide has helped you

understand how to use the concept
creatively and that you’ll be able to apply
these principles to your own photography
for improved and more dynamic results!

Photograph by Patrik Velich

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 Self-Check Quiz:

1) What is tonal contrast? Why should you use it?

2) How is tonal contrast similar to and different from color contrast?

3) Will using just tonal contrast make your photo look great? Why or why not?

4) How do you use varying colors in a monochromatic tonal scheme?

5) Is post-production really needed for tonal contrasts?

USING TONAL CONTRAST CREATIVELY IN YOUR PHOTOS // © PHOTZY.COM 23

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understand the basics. photography back. everything you can imagine.

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Check out our friends at DailyPhotoTips.com they'll send you 1 solid photography tip
to your inbox, 5 days a week. So you can start your day right, with actionable tips to
help you on your creative journey. Subscribe now →
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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Congratulations! You’ve completed
this Photzy guide!

If you liked this photography tutorial, check

out one of our premium composition guides
to help you produce truly outstanding
images: Advanced Composition.

Amy Grace, a devotee writer of Clipping Path Studio, has

substantial experience in the commercial photography field.
Merging competency and skill in her profession, she has
helped numerous entrepreneurs create their brands. Aside
from photography, Amy is involved in photo retouching work
as well. Follow her on Twitter.
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