2. 4 Steps to a Successful
Photo
1. Value
2. Clarity
3. Presentation
4. Composition
a. Point of Interest
b. lines
c. Cropping
3. Value
In a photograph, Value concerns light; specifically the range
of light.
A good photo should have different shades of black, to gray,
to white. Or in color photos, brighter yellows, reds and
oranges, with blues, purples, and greens. But be sure that
the photo stays within the same color schemes.
4. Clarity
The second key thing to focus on is, focus! But
not just on if the entire photo is in focus. A
good photo should just have a point of
interest in focus. The subject can be in soft
focus, where the edges are blurred a bit, or
sharp focus, where there is an all around
crisp, clean focus.
5. Composition
The photo overall should have a good
composition, or the way it is composed, with
4 key factors
1. Presentation
2. Point of Interest
3. Cropping
4. Lines
7. Point of Interest
In addition to focus, there should be a specific
point of interest. A point of interest is a spot
in a photo that stands out from all the rest.
8. Cropping
Once you find the point of interest and the
cleanliness of the photo, you should focus on
the cropping of the photo. Or, the way that
the photo is framed.
9. Lines
Lastly, the lines should be taken into
consideration. Lines have a great impact on
photos. Anything from the criss cross of a
forest in the background or the curvature to a
figures' face is important. Without lines, the
photo would almost be a flat blank nothing.
10. Photo
Critique
Example 1
In this photo I see many examples of the points
described above. The Value of the photos is well
ranged. There are the darker greys inside the roots
and much brighter whites up front. Next is the
clarity of the photo. This photo is in sharp focus
because there are no blurred edges. Presentation; to
the naked eye this photo seems clean, no smudges,
fingerprints, or streaks can be seen. To me, this
photo has no specific point of interest. I find the
cropping of this photo to be quite interesting
because, there is no real border but it just seems to
focus only on the roots; which are taking up the
entire photo. Lastly, lines. The lines in this
particular photo are very unique. Because of these
roots or vines there are many lines on the edges of
the roots, which gives the photo a very unique
touch.
11. Photo This photo was taken by a wedding photographer, Craig Collins. This photo has
some quite awesome value to it. There are the whites in the middle of the
Critique
rose, with a gradual grey to black as you look into the flower's shadows.
This photo is also very crisp and clean and in focus. Although, I would say
the middle is more in focus than the rest making it in soft focus. The
composition is also in check. The presentation is flawless. The point of
Example 2 interest is clearly defined as the ring in the rose in the very center of the
photo. I personally enjoy the black outline surround the photo giving the
photo an important feel to it. Lastly, the lines of the rose are clearly defined.
You can see the lines in the center of the rose, and moving outward with the
pedals.
12. Photo
Critique
Example 2
This photo was taken by Thomas Hauser. Again,
I feel the value of this photo is excellent.
The whites in the flowers at the center with
their black stems is fantastic. The photo is
also in focus. This photo has a nice, crisp
sharp focus. The photo itself is also clean
with no marks or fingerprints. To me this
photo doesn't have any specific point of
interest because the photo is in sharp
focus. I enjoy how the flowers in their
peculiar vases are defined by the grey
background. Referring back to the
cropping, they lines are clearly defined by
the grey background again. You can see the
lines of the stems as well as the clearness
of the the curves in the flower pedals.
