An image is worth a thousand words. You may have taken numerous photos, but none seem to attract or captivate viewers’ attention. Perhaps you are confused about why seemingly mundane images by famous photographers leave a lasting impression. If you have these challenges, reading the book – Why You Like This Photo by Brian Dilg is recommended. You will get a lot of inspiration.
Firstly, we need to know its author – Brian Dilg. Brian Dilg is a talented person, an excellent photographer, filmmaker, writer, and educator. He is also the founding chair of the Photography department of the New York Film Academy. His book”Why You Like This Photo by Brian Dilg” offers unique, exciting insights and perspectives on creating stunning images.
Why You Like This Photo by Brian Dilg
Now, let’s read it.
When it comes to what defines an excellent image, Brian Dilg introduces several tips and concepts in his book. Here are three main ideas to consider:
- A perfect picture has the power to captivate the viewer’s attention and encourage them to explore the meaning and story behind the photograph;
- A great image can effectively convey the photographer’s primary purpose and communicate the intended thoughts and emotions to viewers;
- A stunning image does not provide viewers with specific answers or adhere to common standards;
Indeed, an excellent image is often not judged by the same standard and should allow viewers to engage their imagination and thoughts. A photograph captured by a photographer can provide a visual experience to viewers. Still, viewers can interpret the image based on their unique knowledge and experiences regarding storytelling and evoking emotions. This approach can add depth and personal meaning to the picture.
In his book, here are seven practical skills and tips for photographers to capture fantastic images.
Table of Contents
Lighting
In the book, lighting is emphasized as one of the essential photography skills. Proper lighting techniques can effectively highlight the illuminated subject, while shadows and silhouettes can be utilized to create a sense of depth and intrigue.
Colour
Using colour in images can be a captivating and exciting aspect of photography. When a photographer skillfully applies colour appropriately, it can contribute to the creation of stunning and visually appealing images. Here are two tips for using color:
a. using colour contrast for creating images
If you want to take some stunning images, it is recommended that you can use complementary colours and contrasting colours in your pictures. Let’s look at the below photos.
Yellow and blue are commonly recognized as complementary colors, producing solid visual contrast.
In this picture, we look at red and green. When these two colours are used together, they can create striking impressions.
Note: If your image has three colours, you can use similar colors. For example, red’s similar color is light red, pink, etc. Green’s similar color is lime green, olive green, forest green and more.
b. colour areas
Warm colors include shades of red, orange, and yellow, while cool colors generally include shades of blue and green. These warm colors offer viewers a sense of coziness, excitement, and stimulation, while the cool colors provide a sense of tranquillity, space, and depth. Additionally, while warm colors appear brighter and more visually prominent than cool colors, even in small portions within an image. The author suggests that photographers should add some red to their pictures.
Here are some general insights on how warm colours can be used in images:
Gaze and Follow
Indeed, many photographers often encounter situations where a person’s gaze is captured by something in the street. Experienced photographers can use this opportunity to observe and try to understand what caught the person’s attention and then capture that exciting moment through their lens.
For example, a fascinating photograph was captured by Elliott Erwitt. This photo shows a man and a dog engaging with each other while maintaining an intense gaze, which invites viewers to wonder about the nature of their interaction, the emotions involved, and the story behind the scene. Additionally, Garry Winogrand used this skill very often and you can check his Instagram for inspiration.
Imagination
An excellent image goes beyond technical aspects like photo composition and encompasses the ability to evoke viewers’ imagination and emotions. A photograph that provides viewers with a specific answer or leaves no room for imagination may not leave a lasting impression. On the other hand, an image can offer viewers curiosity and encourage them to explore creativity, imagination and thoughts; this image tends to be more memorable. Let’s view some pictures from André Kertész for inspiration.
Focus on Details
Many beginner photographers enjoy capturing anything and everything they see in the real world when they learn photography for the first time. This natural curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring and capturing their surroundings is a beautiful starting point for learning photography. After a few years of practicing photography, many photographers encounter a common challenge where they struggle to find interesting and unique subjects to photograph. Now, you must improve your photographer’s eye and observation skills to focus more on the details around you and explore different angles.
Using different angles, you can leverage your keen eye to observe the road, flowers, and trees around you, even if you have already taken many photos of these common subjects. This approach may lead to capturing fresh and unique images. Here are some pictures from William Eggleston, focusing more on everyday details distinctly and artistically.
Activate Other Basic Senses
We generally rely on our sense of sight to view and experience images. However, photographers can engage our other senses (taste, touch, smell and hearing), providing viewers with a different and unique experience. By using these additional senses in our photography, we can create a more immersive and multi-sensory experience for the viewers.
Replacement
Image replacement technique has been used in various photography and it can create surprising and captivating effects in photography. By replacing elements within a photograph, photographers have the opportunity to transform the visual narrative and evoke different emotions in viewers.
“Why You Like This Photo” by Brian Dilg is a valuable resource for photographers looking to enhance their skills and take their photography to the next level. If you’re struggling with photography or seeking to expand your knowledge and creativity, delving into this book may also offer valuable insights and practical advice. It’s worth exploring various resources to find those that resonate with your interests and style.
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