Improving Your Photography

The Devil is in the Detail

Passing on the knowledge and experience you've gained can be very helpful. The obvious beneficiary is the receiver, however there is huge potential for the giver to also learn and better understand things. Working and talking with people at earlier stages of the photographic path have enabled me to trace and chart my own journey. It's brought me a clearer view of where I've been, and hopefully how I wish to move ahead. Many times I have recognised myself in what people are doing and thinking as they progress and it's interesting to see if they will come to the same conclusions and realisations that I did or move in a different direction.

One thing that recently became apparent to me is the level of detail with which I tend to look at an image. Upon reflection it's something I've automatically done for quite a while. This picture was taken ages ago on a medium format camera using a waste level finder (which will flip the image back to front). As I was setting up the shot I was carefully checking the edges of the frame through the finder to ensure none of the pictures on the wall were in shot. I suddenly became aware of the model and her friend we're giggling. Puzzled I found out that whilst I was busy checking the edges, her blouse had fallen open revealing everything and I'd never noticed!!!

Starting out

When we start out, in photography our minds are necessarily full of the technical side, and the overall picture. This is especially true when working with people, where there is the added pressures of interacting with the subject. However, over time, as we learn and develop our craft, much of that starts to become automatic and we are able to focus more and more on the details of the picture. Much can be done to free up our attention during a shoot, especially by pre planning. For example, whilst it is important to be able to take advantage of unexpected things that come up during a shoot, having some initial plan of action as to lighting, looks, etc saves you having to be thinking about what you are going to do next, and keeps a session flowing.

Look at the whole picture

So what should you be looking for during the shoot? One of the most common faults that stands out for me, is lack of attention to the background. It's easy to get so caught up in the main subject that what is behind gets overlooked. Poles, branches, signs, I've even seen a picture with a fence post that was behind, but between a models legs and seemed to be disappearing up under her skirt!!! They are all things that once spotted can usually be easily corrected by a slight change of viewpoint. Other distractions can often be moved, such as in another recent fashion shot with a pile of discarded boxes in the corner. Even when your unable to move yourself or an object, it's often possible to throw the background out of focus, and as a last resort there is always Photoshop!

Moving back to the main subject, there are loads of potential details that can be overlooked. In the case of a person, things like clothes not sitting well, labels showing, stray hair, etc can become distracting. Also check for unwanted creases in the skin, and awkward or distorted limbs. For other subjects, make sure they are free from, (or shoot to hide) blemishes, watch for unwanted reflections, and try to ensure there is nothing out of keeping with the overall image.

Get it right before you start

As previously mentioned, a lot of work can be done prior to the shoot by planning and making sure everything you need is in place and suitable. I recently saw picture of a model as a 30s style gangsters moll. Obviously quite a bit of planning had been applied. The models hair, makeup, clothes etc were great. She was posing by an old car from the time, in a similarly old fashioned garage with old signs etc. Everything was in place for a potentially great shot. ... And then she was holding a small, plastic, obviously toy, machine gun! All that other effort, and for me, the whole picture was ruined by that little lack of attention to detail. Why even bother with a gun if a decent replica one was not available!

In my mind the ability to focus on and manage the minor aspects of an image, whilst at the same time maintaining the overall picture, is what can lift many photographs from competent to excellent. The ability to view and recognise possible faults, and areas that could be improved, in your own (and others) images, is the best tool to keep you moving forward in the development of your skills.