Photographer Choices
Photographer choices are the decisions a photographer makes prior to picking up the camera. The choices include: Point of view / composition, type of light / time of day, environment, props, focus / depth of field, character body language, character facial expression, character clothing, Each of these decisions will drastically affect how your image is perceived. Making the wrong decision / not making a purposeful decision can make your image "feel off" or "incorrect." Each decision is important and needs to work together to showcase your overall concept. For example, the clothing you chose for your characters can be based on your environment and lighting.
Point of view / Composition
The angle in which your camera will be in relation to your subject can alter how the image is perceived. Shooting up at a subject can showcase strength of the subject, or fear from the viewer. Shooting down can showcase vulnerability.
How would this artwork be different...
- looking down on the subjects?
- Closer to the subject hands?
In this example, the photographer chose to shoot straight on her subjects. The camera is about waist height, just above the stove top, parallel to the floor and just. She chose to crop out the faces to hide personal identity and only keep gender identity.
Type of Light
Lighting creates a mood for your images. The wrong type of light will change the mood of your image. It is also important from the technical aspect in that you need light to capture a photograph.
How would this artwork be different...
with strong day light?
flash? blue hue? green hue?
Different types of light
Direct Sunlight / Indirect Sunlight
Speed Light
Strobe Light
Modifiers
- Reflectors
- Snoot
- Barndoors
- Gels
- Umbrella
- Soft Box
Depth of Field / Focus
What is the "hero" of the shot? What is the most important thing that the viewer should look at first?
Depth of field can alter how much of your image is in focus. Do you want a shallow depth of field? or a large depth of field?
In the above image, the photographer used a large depth of field. The focus is on the people, but it's important that the background / environment are still recognizable.
Depth of field is more sensitive the closer you get to your subject. If you are trying to take shallow depth of field image, use a larger aperture (smaller number on lens).
Environment
Where you shoot is important to telling your story. Everything in your environment helps or hurts your concept.
How would this artwork be different...
- the artist used a modern kitchen?
- it was at the dining room table?
- if it was in front of a sink?
- if it was outside?
Props
Everything in your scene matters. Props can be used as symbolism to help show your concept and to help develop characters..
How would this artwork be different...
- with a rope instead of chain?
- by not having the frame on the stove?
- with a different type of food?
- with a diamond necklace instead of pearls?
Body Language
Non verbal language can be more important than verbal language. When you shoot, direct your models to do what you want them to do.
Think about...
-how your character stands.
- how they interact with other people, props and the environment.
- how their body language helps tell the story that you are portraying.
Facial Expression
Facial expression, especially the eyes tell a story. Where your character is looking, how they interact with other characters and the scene define your concept.
Think about...
- how a face can tell a story.
- eyes can move the viewer around an image.
- a smile says one thing, but a smirk or over the top smile says another.
Clothing
Just like you may chose to wear something for a purpose, your characters should too.
Clothes can...
-define who the character is.
- separate a character from the background and define space.
- be used as symbolism with color, logos or how the character wears it.