Ultimately we as photographers are creators using light as our medium and our aim is to compose the perfect image.
A true representation of what our eyes saw at the scene.
But, in order to create images with impact we have to take a few simple steps.
Here's how.
1.
Less is more When we all shot with film and it was expensive to process, there was a reason for getting as many people, subjects and objects into one scene, economy.
We wanted to record everything for as little as possible.
Despite this, less is more was still relevant to great photos.
You see, the eye has to process everything in an image and the busier the image, the more work the eye has to do and the less pleasing the image becomes.
The KISS principle says that we must keep it simple stupid.
A single subject with limited busyness and fewer colours on a simple background is key to a great image.
Limit colours and subjects and you'll have an image that says WOW every time! 2.
Get in closer By getting in closer you automatically exclude clutter and things that shouldn't be in the image.
You want more of the subject and less of the non-essentials.
So often when viewing the memories we create at a later stage, we wish that there had been more of the special loved one in the photo.
There was no reason for all the extras we included and they don't form part of the actually memory we were creating.
Watch the edges of your image and if there are things that shouldn't be there, that you'd rather not have in the shot, then move in tighter and exclude them.
3.
Use lines to lead Look for lines that lead.
By this I mean fences, roads, rivers or coastlines that cause the eye to follow them to a focal point or a subject.
A row of trees causes the eye to move along them to the end.
A river makes the eye follow it upstream or downstream.
A railway line leads the eye to the horizon.
Look for lines that form a curve or S-shape as these work at leading the eye to a point.
Now if you can get a line that leads the eye to a particular focal point of interest or subject that you want focus on, it creates an especially dramatic effect.
4.
Angles add impact Look for an angle that adds drama and creates a feeling of height, depth or breadth.
Looking up at a subject while lying on your back or changing your viewpoint to a high vantage point, will always give an ordinary scene more impact.
Use your feet to move around a subject and look for an angle that is better than standing front and centre.
Change the angle of your camera between the horizontal and vertical formats and you'll create an immediate effect.
5.
Bold is beautiful When looking at a scene try to find bold and well saturated colours.
Coupled with my second point that says get in closer, choosing a bold colour makes a statement and catches the attention of the viewer.
Combining this with a large subject that has a strong form or shape will add immediate excitement to the image.
Look for elements that dominate a scene.
Take for example the red wheel of a giant black steam engine.
It stands out automatically without you doing anything to add impact.
Adding impact is not limited to professional photographers, By applying these simple steps you will see an immediate improvement in your images.
Think before you press the shutter button and ask yourself the question, "What can I do to improve this image?" The thinking photographer will always have the advantage over those who press the shutter button too quickly.
So stop, think, think again and only then press the shutter button.
Happy shooting!