Chiaroscuro lighting examples?

Garry Edwards

Garry Edwards

Moderator
Messages
13,475
Name
Garry Edwards
Edit My Images
No
We're producing a tutorial and video on chiaroscuro lighting, the plan is to publish it on 7th December.
Obviously I've taken some shots for the video, but these are the only examples I have (OK, I have lots of examples but most of them are nudes so can't be used for this purpose).
So, can anyone help out with examples of chiaroscuro lighting that we can include please? Obviously any examples will be credited
 
CraigDHD said:
hmmm, sure you'll get much better and not even sure this strictly qualifies as chiaroscuro but hey ho.....

if nothing else it was lit with a lencarta light so it's got that going for it.
Click to expand...

I would say that it does not qualify as the idea would be to have light behind the dark area of the face, but there again there is more than one understanding of Chiaroscuro

Mike
 
CraigDHD said:
hmmm, sure you'll get much better and not even sure this strictly qualifies as chiaroscuro but hey ho.....

Stewart by Craig Dawson, on Flickr

if nothing else it was lit with a lencarta light so it's got that going for it.
Click to expand...
Many thanks Craig, but Mike is right.
Chiaroscuro is light against dark and dark against light, so although there are variations, (side/side or top/bottom) it's normally just one side of the subject lit, which contrasts against the unlit part of the background
 
not sure if these count, but ive always thought of them as falling in that category







Apologies if you just wanted people :)
 
AshleyC said:
not sure if these count, but ive always thought of them as falling in that category







Apologies if you just wanted people :)
Click to expand...
I think the middle one does, and I'd like to use it if I may...
Could you please email me a hi-res version, together with accreditation details (name or website, as you prefer)? support (at) lencarta.com
The tutorial I'm doing is on the technique, and this technique is used in all sorts of photography. I'm using a person for the video, but the technique is just as much at home for still life shots.
 
just posted this on the D750 to illustrate noise at High ISO

ISO 12800


ISO12800.jpg






and I alway thought that these were

CC_1.jpg



CC_2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Sorry dont know why that got posted now I dont know how to remover it haha
 
I had the video up just to research the concept. Its definitely something I want to have a try with now.
 
It's a very useful technique, and very simple to do.
 
Garry Edwards said:
It's a very useful technique, and very simple to do.
Click to expand...
Yeah, easy and fun. Can also be as complicated as you care to make it, of course.

This one's about as obvious and straightforward as it gets, I'd say (chiaro - scuro - chiaro - scuro, from left to right):

Light and Shade(s) by Nionyn_, on Flickr

It also works on cats. :) This one's not as straightforward an example but it's essentially the same principle, with light against dark and dark against light in various parts of the frame, showing both form and texture:

What light through yonder window breaks? by Nionyn_, on Flickr


I've looked through my Flickr stream for examples of Chiaroscuro in tabletop stuff I've played with, but haven't found anything quite as straighforward as the above.
Once you start looking, though, you notice it in all kinds of photos, of course - or, rather, in parts of those photos.

In these two, for example, there's both light-on-dark and dark-on-light all over the place, always showing form that would otherwise be hidden:

Summoning the Dragon by Nionyn_, on Flickr

Tango 'til they're sore by Nionyn_, on Flickr

And finally, just for a laugh, I started to count the different parts of this photo where light(er) against dark(er) and dark(er) against light(er) were vital in showing the shapes of the projectors and associated paraphernalia, but very soon gave up because (though I would never present this photo as an example of Chiaroscuro) that's pretty much how the majority of the photo works! :)

Projection Room by Nionyn_, on Flickr




Garry, I doubt any of the above would be useful to you (other than perhaps the first one or two, maybe) but if they'd suit your tutorial please just say. :)
 
Last edited:
•
My son Olivier, in a theatre costume, was the model for this
lesson/session to a photo club in my studio. Would fit the theme
of clair-obscure but, if it must be done with specific equipment,
may not qualify.
 
Last edited:
•
This is Anke — her portrait in Renaissance costume was taken at
Schloß Ottersbach (Schloß = castle) with natural window daylight
where 3 flags but no reflector were used.
 
Last edited:
Nionyn said:
Yeah, easy and fun. Can also be as complicated as you care to make it, of course.

This one's about as obvious and straightforward as it gets, I'd say (chiaro - scuro - chiaro - scuro, from left to right):

Light and Shade(s) by Nionyn_, on Flickr

It also works on cats. :) This one's not as straightforward an example but it's essentially the same principle, with light against dark and dark against light in various parts of the frame, showing both form and texture:

What light through yonder window breaks? by Nionyn_, on Flickr


I've looked through my Flickr stream for examples of Chiaroscuro in tabletop stuff I've played with, but haven't found anything quite as straighforward as the above.
Once you start looking, though, you notice it in all kinds of photos, of course - or, rather, in parts of those photos.

In these two, for example, there's both light-on-dark and dark-on-light all over the place, always showing form that would otherwise be hidden:

Summoning the Dragon by Nionyn_, on Flickr

Tango 'til they're sore by Nionyn_, on Flickr

And finally, just for a laugh, I started to count the different parts of this photo where light(er) against dark(er) and dark(er) against light(er) were vital in showing the shapes of the projectors and associated paraphernalia, but very soon gave up because (though I would never present this photo as an example of Chiaroscuro) that's pretty much how the majority of the photo works! :)

Projection Room by Nionyn_, on Flickr




Garry, I doubt any of the above would be useful to you (other than perhaps the first one or two, maybe) but if they'd suit your tutorial please just say. :)
Click to expand...
I would appreciate the option of using these photos, with your permission. Could you please email high res copies to me at support (at) lencarta.com, with either your name or website url, whichever you would like shown?
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•
This is Anke — her portrait in Renaissance costume was taken at
Schloß Ottersbach (Schloß = castle) with natural window daylight
where 3 flags but no reflector were used.

Anke%202-385pp.jpg
Click to expand...
This is a great example of the technique. I would appreciate the option of using this photo, with your permission. Could you please email high res copy to me at support (at) lencarta.com, with either your name or website url, whichever you would like shown?

This thread started off as a simple request for help, and I appreciate the help. But, it has now developed into a very useful learning resource in its own right:) My whole approach to lighting, both in my tutorials and on this forum, is to encourage people to think about how light can improve their shots, and to experiment - so many beginners think that lighting is just about having enough light to get an adequate exposure, and give little or no thought to actually controlling the light
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•
This link, Mike, may help you better understand the expression
of the term through the old master painters and the use of the
approach in modern photography:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiaroscuro
Click to expand...

Wikipedia should never be quoted as an accurate reference as there is no academic rigour - my students would fail.

I know what the term means and I know how it is used so no matter how good your images may be they do not conform to the classic understanding for me.

Mike
 
mike weeks said:
I know what the term means and I know how it is used so no matter how good your images may be they do not conform to the classic understanding for me.
Click to expand...
•
Ok, fine!
This means then, that you can teach something, that's what I'm here for!
 
Last edited:
until this thread I always thought that chiaroscuro was a creamy Italian coffee
 
•
…would work great on birds but when they see the light stands
coming, they're all gone!
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•
…would work great on birds but when they see the light stands
coming, they're all gone!
Click to expand...

Is this a chiaroscuro Robin

no light stand just good old nature

C_Robin_2.jpg
 
Last edited:
•
Not quite… but still, exquisite like a creamy italian coffee! ;-)
Wait for MikeW as he seems to know longer than I on the subject.

If I may ask…
what light stands do you use? :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
the Tate should know and this is their definition

"Chiaroscuro is an Italian term which translates as light-dark, and refers to the balance and pattern of light and shade in a painting or drawing"

this is certainly a pattern of light-dark in that Robin image

it may be BAD Chiaroscuro .. but is it Chiaroscuro
 
Last edited:
•
Well, that makes your italian coffee, my Anke,
and you bird all decent candidates! No?

En Français on dit: "clair-obscure"!
Some old Dutch masters are well know for the use of this technique.
 
Last edited:
I am getting confused now - Can someone post an image and point to areas that define it as a Chiaroscuro image ... rather than saying, that's a Chiaroscuro image

how about this - almost time

OK it is not in the colours of an "old master" ..... but time has moved on

C_Glass.jpg
 
BillN_33 said:
I am getting confused now - Can someone post an image and point to areas that define it as a Chiaroscuro image ... rather than saying, that's a Chiaroscuro image

how about this - almost time

OK it is not in the colours of an "old master" ..... but time has moved on

C_Glass.jpg
Click to expand...
It's simple.
In a chiaroscuro image, the background is not all the same shade (or colour) and neither is the subject, and the light (chiaro) parts of the subject are against the dark (Scuro) parts of the background, and vice versa. This creates a feeling of depth and space, and makes the image look 3 dimensional. Obviously this can be very simple, with say a graduated subject, light on the left and dark on the right against a graduated background that is dark on the left and right on the back, or it can be far more complex, with many different areas of light and dark, against a background that again contrasts light/dark.
 
BillN_33 said:
Can someone post an image and point to areas that define it as a Chiaroscuro image
Click to expand...
•
A few exemples on this thread already.
Anke being a too dead classic form of it. IMO,
post #2 is almost there
Olivier's portrait is an other too dead classic one
#19 keyed down would be quite there…
but your wine not.

Check out Rambrandt & co… the old Dutch masters!

ADDENDUM:
The technique was used by the Dutch less for the 3D effect but
much more to create an intimate feel to a scene where one or
twenty people were represented.
 
Last edited:
Garry Edwards said:
It's simple.
In a chiaroscuro image, the background is not all the same shade (or colour) and neither is the subject, and the light (chiaro) parts of the subject are against the dark (Scuro) parts of the background, and vice versa. This creates a feeling of depth and space, and makes the image look 3 dimensional. Obviously this can be very simple, with say a graduated subject, light on the left and dark on the right against a graduated background that is dark on the left and right on the back, or it can be far more complex, with many different areas of light and dark, against a background that again contrasts light/dark.
Click to expand...

so the Robin is chiaroscuro, but BAD chiaroscuro, No?

I must have taken an image sometime, by accident!


are all these images chiaroscuro


chiaroscuro photography
 
Last edited:
Kodiak Qc said:
•
This is Anke — her portrait in Renaissance costume was taken at
Schloß Ottersbach (Schloß = castle) with natural window daylight
where 3 flags but no reflector were used.

Anke%202-385pp.jpg
Click to expand...

OK why would I say that this is not Chiaroscuro ?

Whilst we have the light face it is in front of light wood and the dark.hair is in front of a dark background - this is the reverse of a normal understanding.

The other classic understanding that I am aware of would be a mixture of light and shade to add depth in areas such as the skirt. Whilst it is present in some areas I would say there is just too much in shadow and not enough contrast.

Mike
 
table.jpg



I know about Rembrandt & co… the old Dutch masters! .......... I worked for a group for 8 years in Holland that produced calendars of old Dutch Masters
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top