How to Make Stronger Photographs Through the Process of Visual Design

I really liked this article by Barry J. Brady on how to make stronger photos using visual design. I always think that photographers that come from a strong graphic design background have a bit of a leg up with regards to balance, composition and color theory. One thing I’ve been pushing myself to do here lately is take more pictures with elements that are designed or arranged intentionally. You start to reach that point where taking a picture of someone in front of something pretty or grimey or interesting just isn’t enough. It seems like a natural step in a photographer’s evolution to do all of those things, but eventually you grow past it, and start saying things like “In a perfect world, what would the background for this picture be?” and then you go and create it.

A lot of it comes back around to creating something unique. If I have someone stand in front of a brick wall at sunset and take a great picture of them, what makes that different from the time you had someone stand in front of a a brick wall at sunset? How can my pictures be different? All it takes to be a photographer is to own and sometimes use a camera. That’s easy to achieve. But to be a unique photographer? To do something that is actually different and special? That’s really difficult. Visual Design is one way to get there.

How to Make Stronger Photographs Through the Process of Visual Design

Slanted Lens Video on a Reflector Double-Bounce Technique

In this video the Slanted Lens guys demonstrate how to bring sunlight into even the darkest set, using a double bounce technique with two reflectors. It’s a very useful technique, although you have to compensate for the sun’s movement when you’re working on set for a long time. Still, great trick and very useful way to get light into interesting places.

 

Slanted Lens Video on a Reflector Double-Bounce Technique

Portfolio Website Updated!

I’ve added new work and updated my portfolio on my website a bit! Click on over and stay awhile!

 

Portfolio Website Updated!

Water Drops

I’m really interested lately in putting things between my lens and the subject. This being Eugene, I thought maybe some water droplets would be fun to try. So this is that attempt. Some thoughts – 1. It’s hard to focus on the droplets themselves, to get the image inside of them sharp. 2. The water droplets distort in a really interesting way that’s not always flattering to the subject — this is more appropriate for use on a surreal subject, or a model with unconventional looks. 3. It doesn’t take much glass to get this effect. It could almost be done carrying a small piece of plexiglass around… perhaps attaching it to my lens itself would be interesting…. this way the focal length would never change, and I could just walk around and take pictures through the drops.

It’s an interesting experiment. I’ll probably play around with it some more down the line.

Also, it sometimes creates great bokeh:

 

Behind the Scenes

Water Drops