Three Things A Great Photograph Needs
There are thousands of articles about photography which discuss the 3 basic elements of exposure – ISO, Shutterspeed and Aperture (if you don’t know what I’m taking about, go back to “Go”) but perfect exposure does not create a compelling image.
The three elements a good photograph needs is: Subject, Composition and Lighting
It all starts with a strong, interesting subject. Something that compels you to stop and photograph it. Something with meaning or beauty or uniqueness or strong shapes or strong color or just amazing texture. The subject should be clear to the viewer and answer the basic question of what the heck we are looking at and why the photographer choose to capture it.
Then the subject needs to be arranged into a compelling composition. Rule of thirds, triangles, leading lines, shapes of all of the com-positional rules the most important is that there is intent in the way the elements are arranged.
Next bathed in beautiful light.
It not enough to have just one of these elements. A beach shot shot on a cloudless day at noon with out any thought of foreground, middle ground and background elements just does not create a compelling image. Its not good enough to simply bring your camera up to your eye and shoot because your happy to be out of the office and on vacation. That’s a snapshot, a record of yourself standing in a moment of time but not a good photograph.
The good photograph comes from taking the time to walk around the scene and find a compelling composition. It requires knowing the subject and knowing when to return for better lighting. The result is selling the scene to the viewer with the same passion that you had when you first came upon it.
Book Suggestions:
The Art of the Photograph: Essential Habits for Stronger Compositions
