How to Take Great Photographs

For your Media Coursework

Great PhotographsThis photograph Gorbals Boys taken by Burt Hardy in 1948 is considered to be a great photograph. Why?

Great PhotographsGreat photographers are always aware of the key visual elements and will make use of them in their photographs.

The key visual elements are: colour, form, line, pattern, shape, texture, tone etc.

In addition to this, we must also consider framing, viewpoint, depth and perspective.

Great Photographs

Lewis Hine’s image places emphasis on shape

Images by Martin Parr emphasising line/shape and colour

Above: Andreas Gursky

Right: Henri Cartier-Bresson

FramingConsider:

Landscape format or Portrait format

A frame within a frame

Viewpoint

You can change the emphasis of a photograph by simply changing the viewpoint.

Overhead and low angle shots can create

emphasis and give a more interesting result

Depth and Perspective

Here we have an example of a linear perspective as depth is created through the use of the parallel lines

Image PlanesWhen we refer to Image Planes, we are considering:

Foreground

Middle ground

Background

Here the elements in the foreground, enhance the background

Evaluation

When we take our photos, we may also think about balance and proportion

Eg symmetry

Useful Photographers to look at…

Herb Ritts

Herb Ritts is known for his images of celebrities and much of his work has featured on the cover of Vanity Fair. He often works in black and white making sure his subjects are beautifully lit. The styling of his subjects is hugely important.

Angus McBean

Angus McBean is another photographer well known for his portraits of celebrities. He was a specialist in theatre photography and in these images, he uses light and framing in a particularly interesting way.

Rankin

Rankin is best known as a fashion photographer and has also taken images for album covers. He co-founded the style magazine Dazed & Confused.

SummaryBefore doing your photoshoot:

Consider (and blog about) what makes a good photograph

Post some examples (perhaps from the photographers mentioned)

Carefully consider the mise en scene, particularly costume, setting and lighting

Pay attention to your framing

Pay attention to the key visual elements

Consider enhancing your photographs after the photoshoot

Sources• John Hedgecoe’s Complete Guide to

Photography

• 20th Century Photography by Reuel Golden

• The Photo Book pub Phaidon

• Various internet sites for photographs by Rankin, Angus McBean and Herb Ritts