Where and How

 

Where and How You Photograph
This section is about where and how you go about taking a photograph. We have attempted to bracket such things as "formal to informal," locations ranging from Nicole's bathroom to the banks of the river, and what switching background colors does.
(If you think there is a lot of overlap with the WHAT section of the site, we would agree — many of these classifications are a bit arbitrary, and not worth arguing over.) 

making a photograph

Studio Style: MAKING a Photograph
Here we go from an informal snapshot to a formal portrait, controlling each creative variable.

See it.

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reporting style

Photojournalism Style: TAKING a Photograph
In a reporting situation you get to control very little, yet you can — and often must — come up with a variety of good images.

Read all about it.

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where you take the photo

Where You Take the Photo
Where you take the photo can be a big decision — another creative variable. Here we bracket the location.

Go with us.

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format

Format and Shape
Format can refer to the type of camera, 4x5 vs 35mm. But in a digital world it can also mean "What shape is the photo?"

Check it out.

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composition and framing

Composition and Framing
With everything settled, there are still infinite ways to frame the image.

See some more ways.

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above or below

Above, At, or Below
One major choice, often overlooked, is what angle to shoot from — eye level, below, or above the subject. This is often the difference between blah and great.

Above, at or below.

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subject vs background

Subject vs Background
This mundane subject is one of the BIG things that separates amateurs from pros. Pros see the whole image, including the background.

See more.

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background texture

Background Patterns and Textures
Similar to the page above — it is critical to see how the background may enhance or interfere with the main subject.

Compare some background patterns and textures.

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background color Background Color
Pure color backgrounds have a huge effect on how the image is perceived.

Compare some colors.

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/zoom-lens

Reflections
For better or worse, reflections will always be an issue we deal with in photography.

Reflect on this.

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projection

Projection
Projecting images on and around your subject is easy, and does things that are quite difficult to do later in computer.

See more.

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interference

Interference
We explore a simple but powerful truism: making your subject more difficult to see can make it more appealing, if done right.

Try this out.

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obfuscation

Obfuscation
This is a cousin to the interference concept: sometimes abstracting an image can make it better.

Get obfuscated.

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connotations

Connotations
Your photo can contain connotations that you are not aware of, but that can ruin the photo — even ruin your career.

See harmless examples.

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