The Role of Light and Shadow in the Perception of Photographs

Abstract

The photographer's awareness of the light in the scene is the key to good exposure, whether it is technically correct or an expression of creativity. The article deals with the role of light and its absence, shadow, in the field of photography. Several studies from history and the present are presented, linking the perception of light and its shadows from philosophical, artistic and technological points of view, illustrating the vastness and applicability of this field of research. Summarized studies and an eye tracking analysis of shadow perception support the author's claims about the role of light and shadow in the perception of Henri Cartier-Bresson's photographs. It is shown how shadows can reveal more to the viewer about the space surrounding the observed scene, function as individual objects, or even be used creatively to enhance the detection of focus within a photograph.