WHITE, conversely, has more positive associations in western culture. White often represents clarity and cleanliness. Scientifically, white is the combination of all the colours of the visible light spectrum. Where black shrouds, white illuminates. It is a symbol of good, where black is one of evil. The two are complete opposites, diametrically opposed, yet they often represent the two halves of a whole. In terms of its use in film, white is generally used to show positive things, and has often been associated with future technology, and advanced society. Light illuminates things, allowing the viewer to see clearly and understand what they are looking at. However, too much light does the very opposite and can create similar feelings to that of overwhelming darkness. There is a fine balance between the two opposites and the disturbance of this balance creates very interesting results.
BLACK has different meanings in cultures throughout the world. However, in the western world it usually has a negative connotation. This is likely because of its association with night. The darkness of night generally brings feelings of unease towards what could be lurking in the shadows just out of sight. It is symbolic of the unknown or the unseen and it is this sense of mystery that often leads to a fearful reaction. In terms of light, it is a lack of any hue or brightness, in essence it is nothing. In film, black is usually used to represent evil, to shroud settings or characters in mystery and to create feelings of filth and decay. Darkness is also often used in slow or dramatic scenes, relying on contrast to portray intensity. Humans rely so much on their sense of vision, and darkness reduces the effectiveness of that sense creating a feeling of fear yet at the same time, heightening awareness. This heightened awareness is often an uncomfortable feeling, one of unrest, and insecurity.
