We live in a world with very short attention spans. A photographer has a limited amount of time to get someones attention before they become distracted. Most clients want a picture or image to reveal certain qualities about their products or services. Therefore, capturing the attention of desired audiences is pretty important.
The four key ingredients to capturing the attention of desired audiences include:
- Image Content Uniqueness or of Interest
- Classic or Rule Breaking Composition
- Emotional Connection
- Work of talented people
These elements work in balance to keep audiences engaged. Photographers tend to have their own way of determining what works for them, either consciously or not. For this post, I selected 5 images that in some capacity to address these elements. Ultimately, my goal as a photographer is to get you or your prospective clients to spend those 6 seconds looking at an image.
This is an experiment, an excursion into the process that keeps me fresh and conditioned. My mentor once told me Photography is about practice. Every time you pick up a camera you are learning to take a photograph, you may say, Really? Is he right? I would like to hear from you about your perspective on my examples.
This image works because it has a proportionally balanced composition and an interesting simple design. I find images rendered in black and white tend to speak their own language. Does this building look familiar? It is located in downtown SF.
This image is about emotional messaging. Would you want to bathe in this environment? Yep, I bet you do. A great room, well designed and furnished can entice you to want to spend time in that space. This image is composed with light and dark features leading to the casting on the ceiling. Vertical and horizontal lines, essentially a frame within a frame, along with the help of very talented interior designer, makes this picture very inviting.
This image has competing shapes and forms that are light and dark. There is a highlight in a dark zone. Sometimes, I like to add a little tension on the edges especially for a something as interesting as this silo.
Okay…. I am sharing this image with you because I like it or I what I mean to say is I really like the building it is in. If you have the opportunity to go to Santa Fe go see the Masonic Temple and take the tour. Its worth it! There is a lot going on in this image so I needed to capture some of the iconic features while maintaining interest in the room with the composition and light. This image succeeds in making the eye explore the room.
I like this image because it is very composed and deliberate. I use the term deliberate, because it is about shooting it at the right time. Make it scream, Wow! Can you imagine having dinner here then relaxing outside on the deck?
This is what I do for fun to keep in tuned to my art. Any thoughts?