Contrast

I watched a German film the other day in which the lead character learns of her sisters death. The scene shows her sitting in a hospital corridor with head in hands much like the man in the left-hand image below.



What I thought interesting was that her jacket accidentally created a turtle shell-effect (right) which better communicated her feelings. It was such a small detail but one that emphasised the need for contrast to heighten emotional effects.

In the same way, if you want to communicate beauty you must show its opposite. Beauty in isolation looks average. Beauty alongside something ugly has a stronger affect because of the contrast.