What Makes A Strong Image...?

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Photography Advice Corner

Christoph:

I've been doing photography for about 3 years. I love the hobby and wish I would have started 20 years ago. I've read several books about image / design elements and composition, but still can't seem to create images that really make an impact. What makes for a strong image? Barbara Sullivan - Utah

Hello Barbara...

Thanks for putting me on the spot - that is one loaded question. Perhaps, when I'm in Utah, we can take 40 hours to discuss this over some cognac. But, seriously, there are many major elements, hundreds of minor elements and, literally, thousands of emotional elements, which make for a strong image.

Professionals plan for and create images with these elements in mind, or immediately recognize their existence within their surroundings, while creating professional or leisure photography. Amateurs may have read or heard about them, but neither plan to acquire them or see them when they occur naturally.



Patterns
Copyright © 2011 Christoph G. Olesch





Over the course of a year, I look at over 100,000 images. That is about 300 images a day – sometimes 10, sometimes 2000. This is a practice you should get into – it is not that difficult and you will be surprised how quickly you can browse in 1 hour’s time.

Why should you do this? You will begin to see elements and repetitive “sameness” in images that are weak and, conversely, in images that are strong, no matter what the genre – portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, flora, architecture, street photography, seascapes, etc.

Now, so that we don’t have to drink cognac for 40 hours and, in order to give you an over-simplified answer to your question, by far, the biggest weakness of photography is that images do not have a singular point of interest, theme or communication.

No matter how many times I repeat myself with photographers I work with, most of their images simply do not express a focus - primary subject or central expression of perceived and defined emotions. There is too much clutter in the image. As a result, the photographer does not present a sense of direction for the viewer. He or she has not addressed the basic questions of, “What do I want the viewer to see?” “What is the focal point of this image?” “How do I compose this image to express my intentions?”

Successful images rely on order and a clear set of directions. The “order” is an unambiguous primary subject or communication of emotion, and the “directions” are elements of the image which support the focus of your perception and subject.

What does this mean? Have cognac and think about it for 40 hours. You will discover (I guarantee it) a reason and meaning for each picture you take, and you will begin to discover your style and image signature – excellence, as well as lackluster.

Texture, Shadow & Placement
Copyright © 2011 Christoph G. Olesch

Here is an exercise you can do. As you know, from your reading, most successful images contain the following common elements of design – line, shape, form, texture and value. Select 20 images of a given genre. Make a spreadsheet of the above elements. Place a checkmark of each of the elements you recognize in each image. If they are lacking, you have a weak image. The more elements you have in each image, the stronger it becomes.

To summarize: (1) define your primary subject and communication; (2) document how many elements exist in each image. The more you have incorporated in a photograph, the stronger the image will be.

Images included here, focus on the elements of “patterns,” “texture,” “shadow” and "placement." These are powerful evokers of viewer emotions and attractors.

Christoph
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