{"id":81410,"date":"2018-04-04T22:17:24","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T05:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=81410"},"modified":"2018-04-04T22:19:16","modified_gmt":"2018-04-05T05:19:16","slug":"what-makes-a-good-photograph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/04\/what-makes-a-good-photograph\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes a Good Photograph?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

A simple question: What makes a good photograph?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

HAPTIC INDUSTRIES<\/a><\/h2>\n

Creative tools to empower you:<\/p>\n

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\"Haptic<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Introduction: Follow your own taste<\/h2>\n

\"broken<\/p>\n

Of course we all know that what makes a good photograph is subjective. We all have our different tastes. What we consider a good photograph isn’t necessarily what others will consider a good photograph.<\/p>\n

Because I cannot speak for you, I will share with you my personal thoughts on what makes a good photograph.<\/p>\n

\n

1. Visual impact<\/h2>\n

\"Cindy<\/p>\n

First of all, I think a good photograph has visual impact<\/strong>. Which means, when you first look at the photograph, the graphical forms captivate you. There is a strong ‘visual punch’ to the photograph, which hits you straight in the cornea, and goes to your gut.<\/p>\n

This is why high-contrast black and white photographs work well (ERIC KIM MONOCHROME 1600 preset<\/a>). With black and white, you immediately create a visual impact, because we aren’t used to seeing the real world in black and white. Black and white instantly abstracts the world, and by increasing contrast, we create stronger separation\/”figure to ground<\/a>” in the photographs, which quickly interests your viewer.<\/p>\n

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How to increase your visual impact<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

When you are sharing photos with others, most people have a short attention span, so you want to immediately grab their attention.<\/p>\n

Ideas on how to make stronger visual impact in your photos:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. High contrast<\/li>\n
  2. Flash<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Clearer ‘figure to ground<\/a>‘ between subject\/background<\/li>\n
  4. Simplify your photographs (cleaner\/simple background<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    2. Dynamic composition<\/h2>\n

    \"Leaves<\/p>\n

    Also to make a good photograph, make more DYNAMIC compositions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    What makes a dynamic photograph?<\/p>\n

    \"Cindy<\/p>\n

    A dynamic photograph has diagonals<\/a>, curves<\/a>, is off-center<\/a>, asymmetric (not symmetrical), has hand-gestures<\/a>, intense eye contact<\/a>, and excites you!<\/p>\n

    Dynamic photography assignments<\/h3>\n

    \"Hanoi<\/p>\n

    Some dynamic photography assignments:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Practice shooting the ‘dutch angle<\/a>‘ in photography (tilt your camera, to NOT have a straight horizon)<\/li>\n
    2. Shoot from unique perspectives in photography (super high perspective looking down, or low perspective looking up). Street photography perspective composition lesson ><\/a><\/li>\n
    3. Shoot head-on in street photography (aggressive composition<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n

      3. Make it personal<\/h2>\n

      \"Cindy<\/p>\n

      Ultimately for me, I want to see the soul of the photographer in the photograph<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      So ask yourself:<\/p>\n

      \n Why are you the only one who can photograph the photographs you make?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      What kind of emotions<\/a>, soul<\/a>, and feelings do you want to evoke in the heart of your viewer?<\/p>\n

      Assignment: How to shoot more personal photos<\/h3>\n

      \"cindy<\/p>\n

      Some ideas:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Shoot personal photography<\/a> (document your everyday life). Shoot your loved ones, selfies<\/a> of yourself, and your family.<\/li>\n
      2. Only make photographs of what interests you. Make social critique\/commentary through your photos. Be a subjective, not an objective photographer.<\/li>\n
      3. Ask yourself, “What is my unique angle as a photographer?<\/a>“<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n

        Conclusion: Make photographs that are meaningful to you<\/h2>\n
        \"My
        My Mom \/ Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Ultimately, shoot for yourself. Make photos that excite you, make photos that are meaningful<\/a> to you, and photographs which record the joy<\/a> in your life.<\/p>\n

        Don’t care whether your photographs are “good” to others or not; make them good for yourself.<\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        BE BOLD,
        \nERIC<\/p>\n

        \n

        HAPTIC INDUSTRIES<\/a><\/h2>\n

        Creative tools to empower you:<\/p>\n

        Shop (Ships Worldwide) <\/a><\/p>\n

        Shop on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

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        \n

        START HERE<\/a><\/h1>\n