Compositional Elements, Continued
Value
Value is the overall pattern of lightness or darkness in pictures. Value within
a picture should be consistent. Viewers are attracted to areas with the
greatest contrast in values. If an object is surrounded by values that are
nearly the same as its own value, the object will not attract much attention.
The basic value patterns of most pictures fit one of the following four
patterns: (1) light against dark, (2) dark against light, (3) dark and halftone
against light, and (4) light and dark against halftone. Decide on a value
pattern before making thumbnail sketches. If you change value patterns, do
another thumbnail sketch and select the one that offers the best value
composition.
Figure 1-9 displays the four basic value patterns.
Figure 1-9.—Basic value patterns.
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