Value

Value is the design element that refers to the relationship between light and dark on a surface. In black and white images, value is referred to as tone.

Value is produced by a light source that shines on an object, eliciting highlights and shadows. Value accentuates the colour of the subject. Value results in depth within a picture, making an object appear three-dimensional with highlights and shadows. A landscape produces the illusion of depth by becoming lighter in value as the image seems to recede to the background.

In this image, the whites produce an impression that the blacks are darker than they would be if most of the image were black and no areas were very light.

The tonal range of the image provides the contrast that enables us to see what the artist wants us to see.
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