Both painters and photographers use light as an essential element of any work of art. Light performs several functions. As such, it might be used to accentuate the necessary fragments and make the audience focus on them, first and foremost. It likewise helps to transform forms into shapes creating the impression of a multi-dimensional reality. A skillfully used light can turn an ordinary picture into a masterpiece, while poor light accents can spoil all the effort. In this view, it is proposed to compare Thomas Gainsborough’s “The Painter’s Daughters chasing a Butterfly” and Brassai’s “Avenue de l’Observatoire.”

Light plays a critical role in Gainsborough’s “The Painter’s Daughters chasing a Butterfly.” Placing a vivid accent on the girls’ faces, it makes the viewer understand that it is the painters’ daughters that are the center of the painting and that are supposed to be the center of everyone’s attention. Moreover, the excessive use of light that looks almost unnatural against the calm and mute background makes the girls look like unnatural creatures that are alien to the problems and the fussiness of the world. It might be assumed that the painter bore in mind an intention to identify his daughters with little angels while choosing this very trick of the light. Brassai likewise uses an excessive amount of light to translate some message to his audience and to place the target accents. As such, the audience’s attention is likely to be captured by the car at the first sight. In this case, however, the light is associated with anxiety and alarm. While Gainsborough’s look natural in the offered decorations, the light from the car seems to disturb the piece of the Paris night. These two examples serve to be a fine illustration of the functional value that the use of light implies for painters and photographers. It is not only about placing the necessary focus, which is also important, but also about translating a certain mood and message.

From a more primitive standpoint, the use of light is, first and foremost, the placement of the target focus. In this frame, it might be proposed to compare such pieces as Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with the Pearl Earring” and its modern interpretation created by Peter Webber. Vermeer uses light to place the focus on the lady’s face – the viewers are expected to concentrate on its examination without being distracted by any external factors. It is particularly interesting that how the photographer Webber uses real light to imitate the painting light technique and translate a similar idea to the audience. Both creators use the black background to create the target light and dark contrast.