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What is the Secret of Making Great Photographs?

Practical ideas:

1. Awe

First and foremost, it seems that a great photograph provokes a sense of awe. Awe as your mouth being agape (open), and amazed by the epicness of something.

Funny enough the etymology of the word ‘awe‘ actually comes from fear (Proto-Germanic word, ‘agaz‘)

Contact sheet. Note how viewing all the photos as small thumbnails best helps identify the best photograph in bottom-left)
Contact sheet. Note how viewing all the photos as small thumbnails best helps identify the best photograph in bottom-left)

For example in the above photo– it provokes a sense of awe in me because of the epic lights in the top-left corner, the elegance of the curves in the top-right corner, the silhouette of Cindy’s face, and the overall scale of the photograph (shot with 21mm adapter on RICOH GR III).

Note how you can easily judge a composition as a small thumb nail quicker than seeing it all full-screen.
Note how you can easily judge a composition as a small thumb nail quicker than seeing it all full-screen.

Furthermore, monochrome seems to work better to evoke a sense of mystery/awe in a photograph, because we don’t see the world in monochrome. Perhaps this means:

The ability of a photograph to awe the viewer is based on how divorced it is from reality (we don’t see the world in monochrome).

In other words, photographs that DON’T look like reality are more impressive or awe-inspiring.

2. Mimesis

I think this philosophy of ‘mimesis‘ as interesting (human mimicry).

The basic notion is this:

When you look at a photograph, and it provokes a feeling, emotion, or action within yourself, it is great.

This means, when you look at certain photo, do you somehow mimic the behavior, emotion, thought, or feeling in real life?

LAUGHING LADY by Eric Kim Contact Sheets from MASTERS
LAUGHING LADY by Eric Kim Contact Sheet

For example for my ‘laughing lady’ photograph, it sparks joy in me, and it also “triggers” me to start laughing, and feel more optimistic and hopeful! All from this beautiful woman’s laughter!

And what makes this LAUGHING LADY photograph epic or great from a compositional standpoint?

eric kim laughing lady cubist
Laughing lady abstract, 2017

Well, for me it is a combination of the super-close perspective (28mm, macro mode, on RICOH GR II). Furthermore, it is capturing the ‘decisive moment‘ of her laughing. Also, because it is shot from a lower-angle looking up, she looks larger than life. Furthermore, the combinator of the colors work well (the red of her lips juxtaposed against the blue sky, with enough white to fill the frame).

3. The Gaussian Blur x Inverse Test

Download .ZIP of all the composition files in this example >

Hanoi, 2017

To make a great composition, see if it passes the “gaussian blur test”. Which means, apply the GAUSSIAN BLUR effect on Photoshop, and determine the strength/simplicity of your composition.

Gaussian blur applied on Photoshop
Gaussian blur applied on Photoshop. For a full resolution JPEG image, I applied 123 pixels.
Using polygonal lasso tool in Photoshop, to select the white bits.
Using polygonal lasso tool in Photoshop, to select the white bits.
Filling in with crimson red
Filling in with crimson red

When I analyze this composition, I do a combination of applying Gaussian Blur, and inversing the image.

Download .ZIP of all the composition files in this example >

Original photograph
Gaussian blur applied
Gaussian blur applied
Photograph inversed
Photograph inversed
Filling in the crimson red
Filling in the crimson red. Background still shows the gaussian blur effect
Background layer hidden. Shows the general composition of the image.
Background layer hidden. Shows the general composition of the image.
abstract. Photograph inversed again, this time with crimson red layer lowered opacity.
Photograph inversed again, this time with crimson red layer lowered opacity.
Lowered opacity in photoshop with inversed image.
Lowered opacity in photoshop with inversed image.
Simple ineverse
Simple inverse

Download .ZIP of all the composition files in this example >

Conclusion: It is all subjective

The annoying answer:

The secret of great photography is a mystery, and it is all subjective.

With philosophy of beauty (aesthetics), it is all subjective. Which means, you are the judge of what is a great or beautiful photograph.

Kyoto, 2017 #cindyproject
Kyoto, 2017 #cindyproject

But what I would say is this:

The more experienced I get in photography, the more I shoot, the more I think, the more I philosophize — the greater my self-confidence in my judgements of what makes a great photograph (or not).


Practical takeaway points

The practical conclusion is this:

  1. Never stop making photos
  2. Always strive to make MORE BEAUTIFUL or MORE GREAT photos
  3. Constantly revise your opinion, philosophy, and share these learnings with others.

ERIC

Photography 101

Dear friend,

If you’re new to photography, start here:

  1. The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography
  2. Free Photography Bootcamp
  3. 100 Photography Tips for Beginners

New Photography

  • Why Do You Do Photography?
  • You’re an Artist.
  • How to Edit Your Photos

Photography Tips

  • 15 Tips How to Make More Interesting Photos
  • 10 Tips How to Shoot More Photos Everyday
  • 7 Tips How to Shoot Surreal Photos
  • 10 Tips How to Fill the Frame in Photography
  • Look Up! 16 Photography Composition Perspective Tips
  • 10 Simple Black and White Photography Tips
  • 10 Simple Black and White Photography Tips
  • 5 Simple Street Photography Composition Tips
  • 5 Simple Street Photography Composition Tips

Photography Articles

Mad men. NYC, 2017. Pentax 645Z
  • How to Elevate Your Photography to the Next Level
  • You’re (Already) a Photographer!
  • 7 Tips How to Shoot More Photos
  • Everything is Permitted in Photography!
  • 20 Dark Tips How to Shoot Shadow Photos
  • How to Give a Constructive Critique in Photography
  • 15 Tips How to Shoot Better Selfies
  • Photography is All a Matter of Perspective
  • Photography Warmup Assignments
  • 5 Simple Tips How to Take Better Pictures
  • 10 Tips How to Shoot Better Architecture Photography
  • 7 Reasons Why I Love Digital Medium-Format Photography
  • My Experience Shooting Digital Medium Format in Street Photography
  • My Experience Shooting my Friend Wedding on Digital Medium Format

Photography Techniques

  • Photo Technique: Look Up
  • Street Photography Technique: Overlap
  • The Fishing Technique in Street Photography
  • The “Bookend” Technique in Street Photography

Everyday Photography

RICOH GR II selfie in mirror, double eye surreal. Prague, 2017
RICOH GR II selfie in mirror, double eye surreal. Prague, 2017
  • How to Shoot Better Night Photography
  • How to Shoot Better Macro Photography
  • Everyday Photography
  • 10 Tips How to Take Better Photos of Everyday Life
  • 15 Tips How to Shoot Better Selfies
  • 10 Tips How to Take Better Photos of Everyday Life

Color Photography 101

  • The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Color Photography
  • Opponent Process Color Theory For Photographers
  • Color Theory For Photographers

Photography Philosophy

Cindy white face. Saigon, 2017
  • How to Delete Your Pictures
  • Your Camera is a Blessing
  • Reality vs. Perception in Photography

Photography Inspiration

  • How to Become a Self-Confident Photographer
  • The Spirit of Becoming a Photographer
  • How to Make Better Pictures
  • 10 Tips How to Take Better Photos of People
  • How to Avoid Boredom in Photography
  • How to Master Photography
  • A Photographer’s Guide to Seeing
  • PRETENTIOUS PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Photography Energy Management
  • How to Unlock Your Potential in Photography
  • There Are No Good or Bad Photos
  • The 5 Minute Photographer
  • A-Z: PHOTOGRAPHY DICTIONARY by ERIC KIM
  • Why I Want to Be a Photography Newbie Forever
  • PHOTOGRAPHY FLUX.
  • 10 Creative Photography Assignments to Re-Inspire You
  • 50 Photography Tips by ERIC KIM

The Fundamentals of Photography

  • Make Simple Pictures
  • The Art of Reading a Picture
  • How to Choose Your Best Photos
  • GET CLOSER.
  • Keep or Ditch?
  • What Makes a Good Photo?
  • Why Photography?
  • Everyone is a Photographer
  • How to take better pictures
  • How to take better selfies
  • How to Paint With Light
  • Why Bokeh is Overrated

Photography Equipment »

  • What is the Perfect Camera For You?
  • What to Consider When Buying a Camera
  • More Megapixels, More Problems

How to Take Better Photos »

  • How to Take Better Photos
  • How to Capture Emotion in Your Photos
  • How to Create a “Curiosity Gap” in Your Photos

Composition Lessons »

  • Composition Lesson #1: Triangles
  • Composition Lesson #2: Figure-to-ground
  • Composition Lesson #3: Diagonals

Photography Assignments »

  • 40 Practical Photography Assignments
  • 15 Street Photography Assignments
  • 25 Photography New Year’s Resolutions

Contact Sheets »

laughing lady contact sheet NYC eric kim
  • Street Photography Contact Sheets
  • Street Photography Contact Sheets Volume II
  • Debunking the “Myth of the Decisive Moment”

Editing (Image Selection) »

eric kim laughing lady nyc
  • How to Choose Your Best Photos
  • Be Your Own Harshest Critic
  • Nobody Wants to Look at Your Photos

Creativity »

eric kim Cindy project reflection flash
  • The Beauty of “Creative Constraints”
  • Beginner’s Mind
  • Follow Your Intuition

Motivation »

eric kim portrait by Cindy nguyen
  • Each Photo You Take is an “Attempt”
  • How to Overcome Photographer’s Block
  • Why Do You Need “Inspiration” to Shoot?

Post-Processing

dark skies over Tokyo eric kim
  • How to Edit Your Photos
  • Grain is Beautiful
  • Are Filters “Cheating” in Photography?
  • Video: Introduction to Editing, Processing, and Workflow in Lightroom

How to Create a Body of Work

AMERICA - ERIC KIM16 eric kim woman popsicle
  • Don’t Work on Too Many Projects

Technical Photography Settings

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  • DSLR Photography 101

Learn From the Masters of Photography

MASTERS PROTOTYPE by HAPTIC

“He without a past has no future.”

Start here:

  1. Why Study the Masters of Photography?
  2. Great Female Master Photographers
  3. Cheat Sheet of the Masters of Photography
  4. 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
  5. Beginner’s Guide to the Masters of Street Photography
  6. Download All Articles >

The Masters of Photography

Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos
Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos

Classics never die:

  • Alfred Stieglitz
  • Alec Soth
  • Alex Webb
  • Alexey Brodovitch
  • Anders Petersen
  • Andre Kertesz
  • Ansel Adams
  • Araki
  • Blake Andrews
  • Bruce Davidson
  • Bruce Gilden
  • Constantine Manos
  • Daido Moriyama
  • Dan Winters
  • David Alan Harvey
  • David Hurn
  • Diane Arbus
  • Dorothea Lange
  • Elliott Erwitt
  • Eugene Atget
  • Eugene Smith
  • Fan Ho
  • Garry Winogrand
  • Gordon Parks
  • Helen Levitt
  • Henri Cartier-Bresson
  • Irving Penn
  • Jacob Aue Sobol
  • Jeff Mermelstein
  • Joel Meyerowitz
  • Joel Sternfeld
  • Josef Koudelka / Part 2
  • Josh White
  • Lee Friedlander
  • Lisette Model
  • Magnum Contact Sheets
  • Magnum Photographers
  • Mark Cohen
  • Martin Parr
  • Martine Franck
  • Mary Ellen Mark
  • Rene Burri
  • Richard Avedon
  • Richard Kalvar
  • Robert Capa
  • Robert Frank
  • Saul Leiter
  • Sergio Larrain
  • Sebastião Salgado
  • Shomei Tomatsu
  • Stephen Shore
  • The History of Street Photography
  • Todd Hido
  • Tony Ray-Jones
  • Trent Parke
  • Vivian Maier
  • Walker Evans
  • Weegee
  • William Eggleston
  • William Klein
  • Zoe Strauss

HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

Film Leica MP x Henri Shoulder Strap (CREMA BROWN)

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Street Photography Starter Kit

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

Master street photography >


HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO

Henri wrist strap pro

For the pros >

Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship

My brand-new Udemy Course, "Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship" now live!

Seize your destiny >


Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography

eric kim ultimate beginners guide to mastering photography udemy

Master photography >

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

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Unleash your creative potential:

2021:

  • April 10-11th, 2021: BOSTON / Discover Your Unique Voice in Photography Workshop [Register Intent Here]
  • May 1-2nd, 2021: CHICAGO / Street Photography Composition Masterclass [Register Intent Here]
  • May 22-22nd, 2021: NEW YORK CITY / STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS by ERIC KIM [Register Intent Here]

Be notified of when new workshops are live here.


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