Delete the word “Flat”

DELETE “FLAT” FROM YOUR VOCABULARY

It is very common to reject images for “flatness“, but this is not an appropriate word for you guys.

Many times “flat” images have a great potential and if color corrected they could “explode” in front our eyes! How is it possible?

Because FLAT is not a good keyword
The correct keyword is CHIAROSCURO

Look at these images that support my idea.
Lighting #1 and #2 appear both flat:

But if you apply a color correction… BOOM!
Lighting 1 appears is very good, while Lighting 2 is just more contrasted, but not good at all and still flat
That’s because but just lighting #1 has a good Chiaroscuro:

May I suggest the first step to improve in that direction?
Delete the word “flat” from your vocabulary and go more in depth: use “Chiaroscuro“

Always ask yourself: has my image a good Chiaroscuro or not?