Final answer:
Tenebrism is the technique that uses pronounced contrasts between light and dark, often with darkness being the predominant feature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technique that uses sharp contrasts between light and dark with few intermediate values is known as tenebrism. This style of painting was popularized by Caravaggio and is characterized by very pronounced and dramatic light contrast, which is also known as chiaroscuro, with darkness being a dominant feature of the image. Tenebrism is used to create dramatic and emotional scenes by illuminating only select parts of the painting, such as hands or faces, against a predominantly dark backdrop.
One notable example of tenebrism in use is in Caravaggio's Judith Beheading Holofernes, where he utilizes a high contrast palette to enhance the visual tension within the dramatic scene.