Great photography is in the details, but there are ways to make those details even greater. In this article, we explore the five factors that make great photography, along with some tips and tools to improve your ability to capture great photos.
Table of Contents
1. The subject
The first factor is the most obvious: the subject of your photo. Great photos have great subjects, whether it’s a person or an object. If you’re photographing something like food, it can also help to make sure that it looks appetizing and delicious.
2. Composition
Composition is the next factor that can take your photography from good to great, because it involves arranging your subject and background in such a way that it draws attention to what you want people to see (and not what you don’t want them to see). There are many different rules of composition — some of which are easier than others — but they’re all important if you want your photos to look professional and polished rather than amateurish or sloppy.
This is the most important aspect of photography. For example, the rule of thirds is a guideline to help compose an image. It says that an image should be divided into nine equal parts horizontally and vertically. You can follow this method of dividing the frame into thirds, or you can divide the frame into sections.
3. Lighting
Lighting makes all the difference when it comes to taking good pictures — bad lighting makes photos look dull and flat while good lighting can make them come alive with color and texture. The wrong lighting setup can also result in shadows on faces or other distracting areas in the frame.
Lighting is very important for capturing great photographs. Good lighting can create moods and feelings in an image. When the light is harsh or low in quality, it can detract from the mood and can cause shadows that don’t look natural. It can make your subject look unnatural.
4. Color
Color of light can bring out certain moods and feelings. For example, orange light is warm and welcoming, and red light is warm and romantic. White light is sharp, hard, and clean. It looks beautiful but it doesn’t add warmth to an image.
5. Time and Location
The time of day has a big impact on how a photograph will look. Early morning and late evening have more contrast in the light. While the light is bright, the colors are vivid, and the sky is clear. Late afternoon and early evening have more shadows, the colors are softer, and the light is more gentle.
Where the photo is taken also makes a huge difference. A scene that is in front of a window will be brighter than one that is taken in a dimly lit room. A scene that is in a garden will be much warmer than one taken in the woods.
Conclusion
Great photography is in the details. Whether you are just starting out in photography or have been at it a while, you can apply these five factors to your images and make them even better.