{"id":39508,"date":"2017-02-18T02:28:09","date_gmt":"2017-02-18T10:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?page_id=39508"},"modified":"2017-02-18T02:55:26","modified_gmt":"2017-02-18T10:55:26","slug":"how-to-make-your-photos-more-artistic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/how-to-make-your-photos-more-artistic\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Your Photos More Artistic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"eric<\/p>\n

I think many of us in photography are striving to be more artistic.<\/p>\n

Is photography art?<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

First of all, is photography ‘art’? Yes. Whoever says otherwise is a pretentious asshole.<\/p>\n

What is ‘art’?<\/h2>\n
\"eric
Hanoi, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To me, art is expression of the human soul. You can produce art in any way, shape, or form. You can make art on a pencil and pad, on your phone, on your keyboard, with your voice, your body, or your mind.<\/p>\n

Is there ‘good’ or bad art?<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

No. There is only art that pleases you, or doesn’t please you.<\/p>\n

For me, I would rather make art that pleases me, rather than produce mediocre art that pleases the masses.<\/p>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

In reality, it is very rare that you can make art that the masses appreciate, and you can appreciate too.<\/p>\n

For example, in hip hop music, I am more drawn to Jay Electronica than Jay-Z. I’m also more of a fan of Kendrick Lamar instead of any mainstream rapper.<\/p>\n

Please yourself<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To make more artistic photos is to make photos that pleases you more. That pleases your eyes aesthetically, and pleases your soul.<\/p>\n

So some ideas:<\/p>\n

1. Perfect your compositions<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

For me, I am trying to make the perfect composition in my photos. I’ve been obsessed with composition, ever since I started street photography, and was inspired by landscape, and architectural photography. And of course, Henri Cartier-Bresson was a massive inspiration for me.<\/p>\n

a) Subtract the superfluous<\/h3>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

For me, I’m always trying to achieve perfection in composition by subtracting the superfluous. Therefore, I see myself as more of a minimalist. I think a perfect composition is simple. But it is harder to create simple compositions, than overly busy and complex compositions.<\/p>\n

Start off by eliminating clutter. That means try to get the simplest background possible. Cut away from the edges of the frame. Don’t have distractions on the edges of your frame. If you’re starting off in your photo composition, start off with the background then<\/em> add your subjects in.<\/p>\n

b) See your photos as small thumbnails<\/h3>\n

Another tip: you can tell if you have a good composition through small thumbnails. I make it a practice to look at my photos as small thumbnails in Lightroom. This allows me to see my photos like ‘contact sheets’ — which helps me easily scan through hundreds of photos, to choose the photos with the most soul and the cleanest compositions:<\/p>\n

\"eric
Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"0-hanoi<\/p>\n

To learn more, check out my contact sheets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

c) Photography is light<\/h3>\n
\"eric
Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photography means ‘painting with light.’ Without light, a photo couldn’t exist.<\/p>\n

So make sure you have the right light in your photos.<\/p>\n

That doesn’t mean you have to shoot in natural light, or during ‘golden hour’ (sunrise or sunset). Just have the type of light you want for the certain photo.<\/p>\n

For example, if you want more silhouettes, shoot late at night, under some street lights.<\/p>\n

If you want warm tones shoot during sunrise or sunset, when the shadows of your subjects are taller than them.<\/p>\n

If you want edgy and dynamic photos, use a flash. You can use a flash either indoors, outdoors, or in the shade.<\/p>\n

2. Make a series<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

Good art is (generally) as part of a series. Good art has a concept and theme. Good art has continuity, and a larger message.<\/p>\n

I know for me, my favorite photo projects are the ones that are projects. While I love the individual image, I feel that photo projects and books are more artistic. Because they are harder to put together, take more time and work, and really reveal the story-telling skills of the photographer.<\/p>\n

For example, my favorite photo projects include:<\/p>\n