Compositional Elements, Continued
Value
(Continued)
Within the value pattern of a picture area, objects and their surroundings
have individual values that contribute to moods or atmosphere. When scenes
contain predominantly dark tones or colors, it is called low key. Low-key
imagery suggests seriousness, drama, and mystery and is often used in
pictures of horror. Scenes containing mostly light tones are called high key.
High-key imagery creates feelings of delicacy or lightness.
Figure 1-10 is a low-key image.
Figure 1-10.—A low-key image.
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