Tonal Range

Tonal range refers to the spectrum of light and dark values present in an image or artwork, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. It describes the variation and contrast between these tones, which helps create depth, mood, and visual interest. A wide tonal range includes a full presence of bright whites, deep blacks, and many shades of gray in between, resulting in more dynamic images. Conversely, a narrow tonal range has limited contrast, appearing flatter or more uniform. Understanding tonal range is essential in photography and art to achieve the desired emotional impact and clarity.