April Challenge 1

#Perspective

Yesterday we studied a few of our inspirational images for camera technical knowledge.

Today, we are going to relook at a few of our inspirational images from an aesthetic point of view.

Let's take another look at this image, but this time concentrate on its aesthetic qualities. Ask yourself some questions about it such as:

1. Would it have the same affect if it were in color?
2. What if the photographer published a photo from this scene at a different angle ?
3. Why did the photographer choose to publish this image?
4. Is there anything about this image you would change and why would you make those changes?

Photograph by London Fine Art Photography

Be careful how you answer the questions. Think really hard about all of the possible answers to your questions, and what the photographer's answers would be if they were answering the questions about their own image.

For example, when I was studying this photograph, one thing I thought of was, "Why even include the person way in the distance?" Then I realized, the size of the person in the distance shows the viewer the magnitude of the size of the hallway and the distance between the end of the hallway and the photographer. The person provides information to the viewer that would otherwise be missing.

Photograph by Céline Ramoni Lee

Let's look at Lee's image again with the same questions in mind. Remember to be careful with your answers, as I'm sure each photographer took a lot of time creating and publishing their images.

1. Would this image have the same affect if it were monotone?
2. What if the photographer published a photo from this scene at a different angle?
3. Why did the photographer choose to publish this image?
4. Is there anything about this image you would change and why would you make those changes?

In my opinion, if this image were monotone, Lee may have had to edit the image a lot to create more contrast and stronger lines, as the affect this photograph has in color would be lost when switched to monotone, as all the colors are what pull you into the image.

The center of the tunnel is in the center of the photograph, but what if it were off on the edges, or in the corners? Are the buildings in the background helping the image or distracting from it? In my opinion, the buildings help it, as it gives more information to the image.

There are several characteristics of images to think about when you are examining them, especially your own. You want to make sure your images are communicating your message clearly to others. Look at your image as if you didn't take it. Is it saying what you want it to say? Is it portraying your subject the way you want it portrayed?

Ask yourself the questions above when looking at your images too. It would be even more helpful if you ask yourself the questions when you are setting up your photograph, as it will help your creative process before you're at the editing stage.