Motif contrast
In photo technology, motif contrast or object scope describes the brightness ratio between the lightest and darkest image-relevant parts of a motif. The motif contrast results on the one hand from the different reflection properties of individual parts of the motif, on the other hand from the influences of generally uneven lighting.
The range of contrast is given in light value or f-stop increments. In practice, this is determined using the close-range or spot metering method (see exposure metering ). A light value corresponds to a whole aperture.
If the subject contrast exceeds the scope of copying (film contrast) of the film - this is the number of brightness levels that a film can reproduce in total - light or dark parts of the subject are reproduced without structure. In digital photography, the film contrast corresponds to the dynamic range of the sensor.
If the contrast of the subject is less than that of the film, then the color reproduction can be influenced by targeted over- or under-exposure, and in black-and-white photography the contrast reproduction. In digital photography this does not make sense due to the possibility of post-processing.