Which term refers to light or dark tones, not color?

The term that specifically refers to light or dark tones, independent of color, is "Value." In the context of photography and art, value describes the relative lightness or darkness of a color. It provides a way to define the distinction in tones, allowing for a full range of expressions in black and white imagery.

Grayscale, while it does refer to a range of tones between white and black (without color), encapsulates the broader concept of value. It portrays images solely in varying shades of gray, but specifically identifies a system used to represent the values in a composition. Cyan, a color, has no relevance to the concept of light or dark tones exclusively. Darkscale is not a widely recognized term in photography or art; thus, it does not effectively communicate the concept in question.

Understanding "Value" allows photographers and artists to manipulate tones in their work dramatically. This awareness is vital for creating depth, contrast, and mood in a composition, underscoring its importance in the fields of photography and visual arts.