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11/30/2002 07:43:57 PM · #1 |
This is neither a tip nor a trick; it is more of a cheat-sheet for beginning photographers, a list of things to be aware of. Please comment on it - there're probably lots of things to be corrected and/or amended.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHOTO
In simple terms, a photo must be interesting and beautiful. Each of these two conditions can be met at two different levels: purely technical, treating the photo as a pattern of coloured spots, and a more "human-oriented", treating it as a representation of real-world objects. While the latter is not necessary, the former is a must.
An 'interesting' photo is one that holds the viewer's attention for more than the few initial milliseconds. Clearly pictures of car crashes and unusual sex positions satisfy this requirement; most pictures of people are interesting regardless of quality; but on the more deep and technical level, interest is all about eye movements.
When looking at a picture, a human eye follows a certain predictable route. A photographer has to be aware of this, and make sure that it is neither too simple nor overly complicated. This is very importart; an absolutely static photo is usually a bad one. This is also where you think of things like pattern and rhythm.
Non-technical ways of making an interesting photo depend wholly on creativity. They involve shooting the object from an unusual perspective, in unexpected circumstances, etc. One of my favourite photos of all time is a picture of a fish lying on a piano keyboard - a perfect example of this. However, every photo doesn't have to be something totally new - it can still be good as long as you care about the eye movements.
It's hard to talk about what exactly makes a photo beautiful - the photographer is expected to see when it is :). There're some concepts to know and be aware of: composition, positive/negative space, use of colour. Strict rules (such as the infamous rule of thirds) are nice to know about, but don't be a sheep; for every such rule there're too many exceptions. There's no simple way of making sure a picture is beautiful; otherwise we'd have computers produce pictures and artists would become obsolete. But you have to remember the basic concepts and be able to see how they apply to your photo.
On the more "human-oriented" level, the cheap way to make beautiful photos is to photograph beautiful objects. Landscapes, sunrises and especially nudes exploit this. This helps, but it is not nearly as important as the basic concepts. Sometimes it only makes those harder to see. A good way to see if the photo is beautiful in itself, and not in what it depicts, is to turn the picture upside-down. It should still look good. If it doesn't - something's wrong.
In conclusion, there's no simple way of making a good photo, but the photographer must be aware of certain concepts and be able to apply his knowledge. To summarize:
Interesting: eye movements, rhythm; unusual perspective; intrinsically interesting objects such as people
Beautiful: composition, positive/negative space, colour; intrinsically beautiful objects such as flowers and women (and men too, of course). |
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11/30/2002 08:50:16 PM · #2 |
| If you had titled this "what makes a POPULAR photo" I'd have little argument. However, there are many memorable and powerful photographs which are undeniably "good" and just as certainly not "beautiful." |
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11/30/2002 09:14:11 PM · #3 |
If you had titled this "what makes a POPULAR photo" I'd have little argument. However, there are many memorable and powerful photographs which are undeniably "good" and just as certainly not "beautiful."
Perhaps you haven't fully read my post? Otherwise, i'd really like to see a photo that isn't beautiful.
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/30/2002 9:11:43 PM. |
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11/30/2002 09:29:10 PM · #4 |
I see that you have an expanded concept of beauty, but use of the term here may reinforce its "traditional" connotation. I don't think I really disagree with anything you say, and only a very little with how it's said, either!
I really do appreciate you're taking the time to post it as well! If you browse the previous forum threads (under the "Community" menu) you'll find several other discussions of this nature.
Vancouver is really THE hotbed of digital photography! |
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12/01/2002 08:26:00 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
If you had titled this "what makes a POPULAR photo" I'd have little argument. However, there are many memorable and powerful photographs which are undeniably "good" and just as certainly not "beautiful."
oh come on. even i'd agree to what lament said. and i give tens to the photos that place last.
what makes a beautiful photo? those principles are basiclaly right.
what makes a popular photo? (on dpchallenge?)
sharp focus, "proper" use of depth of field, nudes, sunsets, cute stuff, and a good camera.
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