Yes—alternation in photography goes beyond classic chiaroscuro. A simple portrait example is the use of a hair light: the subject’s hair is made brighter so it alternates against a darker background, creating separation and visual rhythm.

More broadly, alternation can appear through repeated contrasting elements in architecture and formal compositions. Baroque-inspired imagery is one example: buildings and interiors from that period often contain repeating shapes, tones, and structural patterns, which naturally lend themselves to photographs built on alternation and repetition.

So, in photographic terms, alternation does not have to mean only dramatic light/shadow modeling. It can also be expressed through repeated contrasts in tone, shape, or structure—such as bright/dark areas, foreground/background separation, and architectural patterns that alternate across the frame.