Notan - Classic Lighting Technique for Shape and Texture

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About Notan - Classic Lighting Technique for Shape and Texture

Welcome to Notan.

This group is devoted to the expression and exploration of the classic, ancient art lighting technique called Notan. I am borrowing from William Mortensen on this topic.

If you'll recall, William Mortensen was a famous photographer who lived during the height of the Grand Hollywood era. He moved to Laguna Beach, California, USA and lived out his days taking photographs, teaching classes on modeling and lighting, writing books, and dodging the wrath of St. Ansel Adams.

In Mortensen's books, published by Camera Craft of San Fransisco, he describes the application of Notan light to photography. Here is the definition of Notan from Wikipedia...

Nōtan (濃淡, Nōtan?) is a Japanese design concept involving the play and placement of light and dark next to the other in art and imagery. This use of light and dark translates shape and form into flat shapes on a two-dimensional surface. Nōtan is traditionally presented in paint, ink, or cut paper, but it is relevant to a host of modern day image-making techniques, such as lithography in printmaking, and rotoscoping in animation.

William Mortensen expanded this definition in 1937. His definition was a little broader, and acknowledged Notan's deep Western Civilization pre-renaissance roots. Basically, Notan light expresses a subjects shape and form.

Harsh, slashing, supposedly depth producing attempts to recreate Renaissance era Chiaroscuro lighting is strictly avoided. That kind of lighting, so very prominent in Western "Culture" (including mass-media, pop-culture, and the like) tires the eye and mind shortly after an initial emotional impact. Chiaroscuro lit art is difficult to hang on the wall because of this effect and impact. It looks great at first glance, but a person can grow tired of the drama and implied action.

Notan light, in William Mortensen's way of viewing art and photographic art, is "timeless". That is to say, art that expresses shape and texture and leaves out the harsh, slashing Chiaroscuro light, will help leave the viewer calm of mind and more receptive to viewing such work numerous times.

In practical terms, Notan light can be achieved photographically through the use of light sources deployed very near the lens, the classic "north light" over the artists shoulder, as well as overcast days that diminish shadows and emphasize shape and texture.

For more information on the use of Notan light in photography, please refer to William Mortensen's classic books on the topic. These include Pictorial Lighting c.1937 and Modern Electronic Flash first published in the late 1940's.

Please feel free to describe your technique. I would like to encourage people to learn from each other.

I will cull any image that attempts to deploy Chiaroscuro lighting.