GOT Ice Tea ?

When you look at a photo what specifically do you notice?

Do you know what caused you to pause, smile, or grimace?

Be specific about what you've noticed.

"The way we look at photos is the first step towards the way

we recognize scenes in-the-field with camera in-hand.

...and should influence us when we make future images."
                                                       ~~~Robert 

Here's an easy acronym to remember; 

"ice tea" [ I-C-T ]   IMPACT -------- COMPOSITION -------- TECHNIQUE

Did you notice any of these?

-------- IMPACT --------

Does the image “grab” you, the viewer, and demand attention?

• Is attention drawn to the intended subject making it the center of Interest?

• A this a unique/creative way of looking at a subject or object?

• Does this, or would another viewpoint/perspective add impact?

• Does the image stand out, is it more 'original' than others?

-------- COMPOSITION --------

Is the Placement or Posing of subject well executed / interesting?

What elements were used (or are needed) to make it a strong image?

• Is it clear what the main subject or story is?

• Intentional Arrangement • Rule of thirds (no "bulls eye/centered subject")

• Golden Mean

• Lead-in line   • ‘S’ Curve for depth

• Cropping

• A Foil (block) on right side (ie., tree, building, etc)

• A Low or High Horizon

• Light-to-dark   • Shadows

• Specific Details

• A Person to add scale and depth

• Framing (ie., tree branches) [sharp/not blurred]

• Space in front of moving subjects

• Harmony Complimentary colors or other interesting combinations

What elements should be avoided?

middle horizon, bull’s eye, background sunspots, blown-out hot spots,

tops of heads with horizon, unsharp framing, unbalanced weight on one side,

merging subject with frame edge, heavy/dark object across foreground...

-------- TECHNIQUE --------

Proper contrast, clarity, exposure for the subject or mood of the image.

What elements are used, or needed to make it a stronger image?

• Focus? • Exposure (over? under?)

• DOF (depth-of-field)?

• White Balance?

• Sharpness? • Lighting?

• Straight Horizon? (does not mean centered in the middle of the image)

• Filter use? • Polarizer? • Catch light?

• Detail seen in highlights and shadows? • Reflector usage?

• Post Processing techniques?

• Nice contrast?

• Natural colors? • Saturation? Tint? • Quality white and true blacks? 

return to:  Robert Howell Photography.com              

for more information drop me a line

"See you out there"

                ~~~Bob