The term chiaroscuro has been around since the days of the Renaissance painters and it’s made its way into the world of photography. The word comes from Italian and means: light/dark. Its art connection relates to the contrasts between dark and light. While mostly reserved for strong contrasts, it also relates to the play of dark upon light or visa versa to create three dimensionality in two dimensional art forms. Photographically, it can be applied to landscapes, portraiture, black and white, interiors, architecture, motion pictures and more. Study the low light scenes in cinematography and it abounds. 

The origins of chiaroscuro in photography developed with portraiture. It’s most commonly associated with Rembrandt lighting made famous by the painter of the same name. Its main quality is characterized by a triangle under the eye on the shadow side of the face. A main light and reflector are used to create the effect with the main light placed at a 45 degree angle to the subject. The reflector is placed close enough to the subject to illuminate the darker side of the face with half the amount of light from the main. 

Chiaroscuro in photography doesn’t have to display Rembrandt lighting. The key is to create light where shadows and highlights play upon each other to add depth and dimensionality. Don’t get caught up with simply creating the lighting effect in an image and call it “art.” The subject matter and composition also have to be good. Some photographers intentionally create it in the studio and are masters. The concept about chiaroscuro to take with you is to recognize the light when it happens and try to incorporate it into a scene that has impact and good composition.

©Russ Burden

In the image of the man in the black hat, the main light comes from a bulb that is housed in the lantern. The fill comes from an open barn door. It’s the ambient light from the open door that creates the highlight on the subject’s left side in addition to the rim of light across his arm. Note the chiaroscuro effects that were created by the lighting contrasts, especially in the dark hat and background. 

©Russ Burden

The scenic was made at sunrise. The low angle of the sun illuminating the clouds creates the chiaroscuro. Had it not been for the clouds, the effect wouldn’t be there. It’s the strong contrast of the bright clouds against the dark layers of the mountain that allow it to occur. I’ve photographed the same scene on a cloudless day and while the layering effect of the mountains is strong, it’s void of chiaroscuro.

©Russ Burden

B&W and chiaroscuro are a great match. One characteristic of a great B&W print is it displays a wide tonal range. The more that pure white butts up to pure black, the stronger the chiaroscuro. With regards to the meaning of the word, if the subject matter is reduced to just light and dark, what better medium than B&W can there be to depict chiaroscuro? 

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