4. Four Elements of Photography
Subject
-the focus on the image, both literally
as the sharpest point in the
photograph and in a more figurative
sense.
5. How do you choose a subject?
- choose subjects by what inspires you
— something in the scene that stands
out, something that’s out-of-the-
ordinary, or simply something you
want to remember
6. How do you choose a subject?
- allows you to show others your
own view of the world, and that’s
often all the inspiration a
photographer needs to find a
subject
7. How do you choose a subject?
- subject is essential to an image,
don’t necessarily have to be
extraordinary to create a special
image
9. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
1. Placement is KEY
Centering the subject emphasizes
symmetry and pattern, while using the
rule of thirds and placing the subject
off to one side tends to draw the eye.
10. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
1. Placement is KEY
For moving subjects, try leaving
extra space in the frame in
the direction it’s headed in.
11. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
2. Perspective plays a big role in how
we see a subject.
The angle that you choose to shoot
the subject from plays a role in how
it’s perceived.
12. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
3. Look for light.
Angles come into play in more than just the
shape of the subject — what angle is the
light coming in at?
Light can play a dramatic role in the way
your subject looks.
13. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
3. Look for light.
Backlighting also makes it
possible to emphasize shape by
creating a silhouette.
14. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
3. Look for light.
Lighting from the front tends to
reveal all the details, while side
lighting emphasizes shadows.
15. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
3. Look for light.
Lighting with dark shadows creates a
lot of contrast and a sense of drama,
while lighter shadows create a softer,
more elegant look.
16. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
4. Practice developing an eye for
interesting subjects.
The more you shoot a variety of
subjects, the more you’ll get a feel
for what would make a great
subject.
17. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
4. Practice developing an eye for
interesting subjects.
- spot great lighting, an interesting
pattern or an odd placement and
immediately know that’s their subject
- that comes with practice
18. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
5. Practice portraying ordinary objects in
unusual ways.
Boring subjects
sometimes make great
photos because it’s not
necessarily about the
subject, but the way
that it is presented.
19. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
5. Practice portraying ordinary objects in
unusual ways.
Choosing the shooting
angle, the lighting,
the composition — all
that combines to
create either an
ordinary or unusual
presentation.
20. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
5. Practice portraying ordinary objects in
unusual ways.
Practice finding unusual
ways to shoot everyday
subjects — find the
must ordinary object in
your kitchen or
bathroom and shoot it in
a new way.
21. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
6. Tell a story.
People look at a piece of
art, and they see a story.
The human mind is always
trying to fill in blanks — so
work to give them some
clues and telling a story
within your photograph.
22. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
6. Tell a story.
When photographing
people, look for
emotion and action
that helps to create a
story in the viewer’s
mind.
23. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
7. Surroundings matter.
The subject is
important — but so is
everything else in the
frame.
The background and
foreground help to tell
that story.
24. 7 Tips for choosing and emphasizing a subject
7. Surroundings matter.
Consider everything in your
photograph and if it doesn’t have a
reason to be there, consider moving in
closer or adjusting your angle to
eliminate any distractions.
25. Always Remember!
The subject is the essence of a
photograph. Sure, there are many
other elements to taking a photo, but
having a great subject — or a boring
subject presented in an unusual way
— is essential to crafting great
images.