The Role of Light and Shadow in the Perception of Photographs

The photographer's awareness of the light in the scene is the key to good exposure, whether it is technically correct or an expression of creativity. The article deals with the role of light and its absence, shadow, in the field of photography. Several studies from history and the present are p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Veronika Štampfl, Helena Gabrijelčič Tomc, Jure Ahtik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Slavonski Brod, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Osijek, Faculty of Civil Engineering in Osijek 2023-01-01
Series:Tehnički Vjesnik
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/440486
Description
Summary:The photographer's awareness of the light in the scene is the key to good exposure, whether it is technically correct or an expression of creativity. The article deals with the role of light and its absence, shadow, in the field of photography. Several studies from history and the present are presented, linking the perception of light and its shadows from philosophical, artistic and technological points of view, illustrating the vastness and applicability of this field of research. Summarized studies and an eye tracking analysis of shadow perception support the author's claims about the role of light and shadow in the perception of Henri Cartier-Bresson's photographs. It is shown how shadows can reveal more to the viewer about the space surrounding the observed scene, function as individual objects, or even be used creatively to enhance the detection of focus within a photograph.
ISSN:1330-3651
1848-6339