The Shadow Knows

Tone mapping has been a well-respected artistic tool at least since Ansel Adam's book "The Print" -- but it required a set of darkroom techniques that were difficult to master. Now tone mapping is possible in-camera using contrast and exposure settings, shadow adjustment, etc. Image editing software on a computer allows even more complex transformations: HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing, levels adjustments, retinex, dodge/burn, etc. The challenge here is to use tone mapping to make a photograph express your artistic vision rather than what the camera literally saw.