CHIAROSCURO — The Dynamic Range Mistake

CHIAROSCURO — THE DYNAMIC RANGE MISTAKE //

I think the emphasis on dynamic range in contemporary camera reviews can plant a seed in your mind (especially if you’re new to photography) that losing details in the shadows and highlights is something to be avoided at all costs. And that is a mistake in my opinion.

Darkness in your images is not something that automatically needs to be corrected. It can be used to evoke atmosphere, to draw the viewer’s eye in order to tell a story or to simplify a composition.

Try using darkness as a canvas to showcase light. Really think about what you can do with light. Look for shafts of light cutting through gaps, look for reflected light from buildings, look for diffracted light where sunlight is passing through some glass and the colour spectrum is separated. The more you practice this, the more you’ll start to see and understand light.

But darkness is just as important as light. There’s no such thing as a ‘correct’ exposure. The right Exposure is not an objective truth, it’s a matter of opinion. Use exposure to create the feeling you want.

Less can be more. Don’t be afraid of the dark.

♫ Music
● Music during animated essay: Composition performed by me.

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[Erumesson]

That 80's YouTube intro is absolutely GORGEOUS.

[JasonONungesser]

"The right exposure is subjective" is probably the most profound things said in this video.

[aleksandras]

Jamie Windsor.
Making people with a camera understand fundamentals of photography.
Brilliant.

[cybr]

5:48: Try using darkness as a canvas to showcase light. Brilliant!

[patmcdonnell]

So important of a lesson, thanks Jamie. And by the way your retro intro, and sound at the beginning was brilliant! Please keep’m coming!

[TheBonsaiZone]

That intro was gold, I thought I had time traveled to the 1980's!

[timgomes]

most youtubers make me want to go out and buy new gear. you make me want to go out and shoot.

I love this CHIAROSCURO. But I need high dinamic range for real state photography. I shoot a single raw and my pics get good enough dinamic range by this tecnique.

But as for my other work I love shadows. And I rarely click on lens correction on lightroom because I want those shadows on the corners.

[kris]

I'm not a photographer. I'm a filmmaker. I've been watching content like this for the past 6 years and this simply THE BEST advice I've ever gotten. Thank you.

[chrisbaker]

"Learn the rules, so you know how and when to break the rules".

Not sure where I picked this quote up, but its served me very well.

[dominey]

"Use darkness as a canvas to showcase light."
Fantastic video Jamie. Love how you connected this topic to long arc of art history.

[peterrosa]

"There's no need to be afraid of the dark." WOW. So obvious, yet so important to learn. Thanks!

[dominey]

The example at 5:40 brings to mind the phrase, "just because you can doesn't mean you should." Perfect example of prioritizing technology over story and subject.

[davidcunicelli]

you have a very witty and offhanded way of explaining pretty complicated subjects. really entertaining and educational.

[sampledude]

The way you follow a red thread in your videos, the segways and transitions, it's so professional! We are blessed to have you Jamie!!!!

[fragmentoresco]

The poems are remembered, the descriptions of the dictionaries are easily forgotten.
Thanks for your video.

[TL-xwfh]

Jamie, you give us such a wealth of photographic knowledge and experience that it is priceless. This is far far better than the rubbish we get from watching the American couple, Polin, Kai, and all the others who talk rubbish (bokeh, equivalence, dynamic range, etc) and get millions of views simply because they know that people watch them for the gear reviews and "7 ways to improve your photography" techniques. Do carry on with quality and not quantity for click baits. Thank you!

[tanawhaadventures]

In the past I have fallen into the boost shadows approach, but I noticed my photos lacked the weight and depth of others work I admired. I recently realized my mistakes and have really embraced “the dark side” and it has made my work 100 times better. Great explanation as always Jaimie on something a lot of photographers need to know, remember, and work on. Including myself

[willkrause]

Really refreshing to see someone else who has the same view on this topic. Whilst having detail in every single aspect of a photo with super beautiful and vibrant sunsets and stuff is all well and good, I have a massive soft spot for images with less going on. Less ambient detail, and more focus on a singular point through the use of darkness and light, and lack of detail in such parts. I think it's a hugely underrated thing in modern photography, and I love trying to incorporate it into my shots, and it's always a fun challenge to carry that style over to film on the off occasion that I shoot with my 35. Thank you for making this video

[samjankins]

The 80s intro is eerie and beautiful at the same time.
This guy knows stuff!

[klausphotobaer]

Brilliant and necessary to mention, specially in these times where the first thing you are likely to be told is : “pull the highlights and brighten the shadows “, until the image looks like a comic book. 🙏 for sharing!