Tone

Tone

Definition and Theory

Tone is ho light and dark something is. This can be in the form of shadows or shade, to the colour of something. Tone is ceased by how light falls on an object. The lightest parts are referred to as the highlights and the darkest bits are known as the shadows, between the two extremes there is a large range of tones. Without tone present, form does not exist, and therefore tone is imperative in the visualisation of 3D objects. 

The Zone System

Ansel Adams created the zone system, a method for being able to make sure you've touched the correct exposure. 

This is the basic principle behind the system, tone 0 is the darkest possible tone, pitch black, giving absolute zero detail in an image,  ,tone 10 is the lightest possible tone, pure white, which also gives absolutely zero detail, and tone 5, the middle, is middle fray.

A camera will always always adjust to tone 5 as neutral state. This means that if you point a camera at a black bin on auto, the camera will automatically adjust the image to gray. Similarly, if you point the camera at pure white snow on auto, the camera will make the snow gray. This can be resolved by turning off auto and manually adjusting the exposure. 

Tonal Analysis

Harsh tones represent masculinity as the darker harsher tones make the face looks more sinister and imply power. 

The tonal range represents feminity because 

Black and White Photography

• In the absence of colour our ability to create a narrative (story) in image is restricted

•This is viewed as an advantage to practitioners of Black and white photography

•Particular attention is given to ensure a wide range of tones are used

•This is evident in the work of Pictorialist photographers such as Edward Weston and Ansel Adams

Artist Research; David Gutierrez

David Gutierrez is a London based photographer who focuses on architectural 
photography. He captures modern urban scapes and turns it into contempary art. 
He focuses on modern architecture photography as he feels is shows and present 
how urbans areas have changed and feel. 

David Gutierrez links to tone as; he shows a clear distinction and contrast between the white and black areas of 0 - 10.

As shown as above; he uses black and white editing in desolate and lonely area to show isolation; but also to show the architecture of the area clearly. He uses a high contrast with and high brightness setting to give a disturbed, yet old rustic over exposed feeling. Linking to this; the image has connotations of London in the 60s; as the over exposed editing is alike to errors made when using home brought cameras that were starting to be sold in the time, but also; relates to ideas of post war stress and infrastructure. 

Image bank

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

Best Images

Images that Require Improvement

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

For tone I decided to photograph buildings and architecture for tone; exploring the contrast between 0 and 10 zones from The Zone System Theory. I was inspired by David Gutierrez in regards to this subject matter of his photography of architecture. This also showed the contrasting dark and light tones.

AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops



AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.



AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.