Robert Keeley and James Ostinga share some simple tips to help you supercharge your creativity and start creating more engaging photos.
Over the past few weeks we’ve presented an array of technical tips to help you improve your camera skills. But technical aptitude will only take you so far in photography. Above all, photography is a creative pursuit and it’s creativity that sets the great photographers apart. With that in mind, here are five simple creative tips to help you produce more engaging photos.
01 WHAT’S THE STORY?
What’s the idea behind your picture? That idea is the story you want to tell with your picture. Keep that in mind as you set up your scene. Think about the story you’re telling with your picture, and create the scene which best tells that story. The best images are the ones that hold your attention – and that’s most likely to happen when you successfully convey a story – or at least the hint of one – to a viewer.
02 PRE-VISUALISE
How do you want your image to look? What elements do you want to include and how to you want them arranged in the frame? Whether you’re photographing a landscape or an elaborate studio setup, it can help to sketch out some rough ideas on paper before you get your take camera out of the bag. The final picture may not look anything like your sketch, but the process of pre-visualising the image is sure to help you develop and test your ideas.
03 FILL THE FRAME
Famous war photographer Robert Capa said, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough!” It often pays to get closer to your subject – either with a zoom lens, or by physically walking closer. Recognise what your subject is and then get closer to it. Another way to tackle this concept is to shoot “loose” (with some extra space around your main subject on the edges of the frame), and then crop in on the subject using editing software. Professionals can use this technique for fast-changing situations (like sports) when they can't take a lot of time to zoom in tightly on their subject. But it’s doesn’t pay to crop too much because it can adversely affect the quality of your image. It’s a good policy to practice getting your picture right “in camera” and get closer when you’re shooting.
04 TAKE CONTROL
Take control of the scene and your subject. If you’re photographing a person, remember you are in charge. You can move them, direct them to move, or move yourself to improve your picture and thus maximise the value of the light you’re shooting in. If you're shooting a landscape aim to shoot early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft. Weather is a huge consideration, as is your position relative to the scene and the light source. Even a small position change can make a huge difference, adding an interesting foreground element or removing an unwanted distraction. Be patient and keep experimenting. Remember, it may take several visits to a location to find the best vantage point. Landscape photography may not present the same degree of control as a studio shoot, but you do get to choose when and where you shoot. Take control.
05 IN THE BACKGROUND
Take a moment to carefully consider what you put in the background of your image. An uncluttered background will put the focus on the subject. A more complex background may help you tell more of a story. In a portrait it may be useful to show the sitter’s workplace or home, or put them in front of a background that illustrates their favourite hobby. Check your scene, and position yourself and your subject to create the picture you want. Get rid of distracting elements, and look to include key elements that help tell your story. Run your eye quickly around the edge of the frame to look for distractions.