More to contrast than color, b/w, or luminosity...

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/05/2005 04:06:26 PM · #1

Just playing devil's advocate here. Much has been discussed about high contrast as it pertains to color versus black & white, versus luminosity, etc...

What about this part of the definition? Yep, I pulled out the dictionary. ;^)

Contrast - other definitions.
1)A difference between entities or objects compared.
2)One thing that is strikingly dissimilar to another.

...so, according to the challenge description Use high contrast to create impact in your photograph. I guess the two definitions above qualify as well. Might explain some of those "outside the box" entries in the current challenge? ;^)

Smile and keep having fun!

KaDi

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

09/05/2005 04:31:12 PM · #2

If you're the devil's advocate, then I'm the angel's adversary....;-)

The definitions you provide can fit many situations, including creative writing assignments.

In writing classes, one is often instructed to "contrast and compare" two elements--dissimilar or not. But in all my years of receiving such assignments, I'd be hard pressed to hear the instructor say, "Use high contrast and extreme comparison...."

And here we are, not in a writing class but in a photography challenge. Words are not the medium, but light. Let's set aside the things you suggest, for a moment. Not arguing color theory, not arguing lumiosity, not dickering over just black + just white...only considering the "conceptual" level--that nasty, subjective ground.

What exactly would make the concept of high contrast anything different than, say, opposites or oxymorons?

Are the following really the same to you when you read the challenge description:
1) Use a comparison of object to create impact in your photograph--for example, in the "Opposites" challenge--bitter/sweet, good/bad, hot/cold.
2) Juxtapose two strikingly dissimilar things to create impact in your photograph--cat/fish, birth/death, apples/oranges.

(Just for the record, I'm not uncomfortable with photos in this challenge the emphasize the conceptual level, but I am more comfortable with ones that do that and convey it using a fairly well-received artistic definition of contrast in conjunction.)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

09/05/2005 07:22:57 PM · #3

Yep - I think the other 2 definitions I posted work for this challenge.

;^)

edited to say - as well as all the other definitions thus far posted.

Message edited by author 2005-09-05 19:23:47.

Atropos

Nikon D40

09/05/2005 07:40:06 PM · #4

I've been looking for both in my voting. I've found myself voting otherwise nice pictures lower than I normally would because they are simply interesting pictures taken at a certain time or modified afterwards to increase the visual contrast. Likewise I have voted lower scores to some pictures that have very little visual contrast. I have found only one 10 thus far, one picture that does both in a very artistic way. I lean away from the photos who just use the obvious whether it be light and dark or a cat and a fish like KaDi said. In my opinion the photos that incorporate the name of the challenge into every aspect of the photo should be the winners. I tried to do this in my entry but didn't do the greatest job of it. Kudos to the people who have.

09/05/2005 09:22:31 PM · #5

Thanks Brad (Atropos) - well said.