A tutorial by Megan Brownlow

Chiaroscuro

Lastly, You can choose to make

edits in a photo editing program. I
used lightroom for mine. I enhanced
the contrast, whitening the whites,
blackening the blacks, and increasing
highlights and shadows. Be careful not to
rely too much on editing programs; most of
the contrast should come from your original
photo.

The first step to Chiaroscuro is knowing what

the word means. The word comes from
latin root words, meaning light and dark.
Chiaroscuro photography uses lighing to
create dramatic contrast on 3D subjects.

An effect of contrasted light and shadow

created by light falling unevenly or from a
particular direction on something.

For most Chiaroscuro images, you will want

a dark background. You will want some
space between your subject and the
background so the background remains in
the shadows.

Now youre ready to take your pictures.

I used a black blanket.

Next, you will need a light source that

provides a concentrated light. I used
my IPhone flashlight and a folder to
direct the light.

Now we need to talk camera settings. Because the background

is so dark, with very little light on the subject, I set my camera to
absorb as much light as possible. I had it at the lowest F Stop with a
shutter speed of one second. I also set a low ISO. Because my shutter
speed was so long, I needed a tripod, but I dont have one, so I
made due with a desk and a chair to stablize my camera.
Now that you have a light
and a dark background,
youll want to arrange your
subject so the light hits only the
parts you want to highlight.

MB