Contrast in photography is one of the most important components in your image. Experimenting with colour schemes, you can figure out which combinations have the most contrast. The most contrasting combination is usually complementary colours, which are located opposite each other on the colour wheel. You may also want to keep the colours within your image to a minimum but simply use warm and cold subjects and backgrounds to create colour contrast.
The more common type of contrast we think of is tonal contrast. These images are typically black and white, with very large differences between the darker and lighter areas within the image. Textures are a great way to add contrast to your images: using a highly textured subject against a smooth or clean background will create juxtaposition and make your images stand out. Along with all the other elements of a photograph, contrast helps us to convey a mood or a message to the viewer.
If you’re considering creating an image using tonal contrast, try flicking your camera’s screen into black and white to help you visualise the scene as you shoot. Capture a raw in case you want a colour version, too.