Advanced Composition II: 3 Steps

One can't build an image with contrast alone - One needs the full range from contrast to similairy/assimilation with in between steps

Image 1 displays a tonal contrast dark vs bright. The small images show some tonal similarities.

Image 2 shows dark and bright and some in between steps (it's not a full gradient for the sake of simplicity).  This looks a bit more like an image alrealdy. However the contrast is now diminished, because the brightest white is separeted from the darkest black.

Image 3 depicts the three steps in a slightly more interesting order: White and black build a high contrast, while black and the greys are a bit more similar and the greys themselves are very similar. It is very important, that focal points of the image contain the highest contrast possible. Take an eye in a portrait for example: The brightest highlight in the image sits right next to the very dark pupil. But there still isn't much "composition" in image 3...

Image 4 looks like a compositional study already. We did now changed the amount of every part

• much
• not so much
• just a bit

With doing this we finally added weight and balance and tension to the image. You should apply uneven amounts of contrast to all elements of the image. For example big flat forms strongly support a few highly detailed areas. While one little undetailled area can be an eyecatcher too, if the whole rest image is covered in details and texture! This also applies to 3D Models and Designs.