Tenebrism, a term often intertwined with Chiaroscuro, is a manner of using light where — as I like to think of it — darkness is a character in your image. Tenebrism, perhaps, went further with it. More entirely about darkness, not only a character, a theme. Chiaroscuro, for me, is the detail. Tenebrism, the commitment.
Many simply like to categorize these styles as the contrast of light and dark, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Contrast can be applied to any image, what we’re talking about goes beyond image into intent.
For the emotive qualities of true Tenebrism or Chiaroscuro, the photographer I believe begins with a desire to delve… many talk of darkness, few truly walk into it.
What is darkness’ role? What is it accomplishing? What form of unknown are you depicting? What’s back there? You must know, even though your audience may never. Tenebrism is a study of the unknown, as much as the known.
Poor Light, Strong Light
Instead of focusing on quality of light, shooting Tenebrism begins somewhere much different. Lighting is…
