The Art of Photography Series-The Best Photo for YOU

Hey friends! Welcome back to my series on The Art of Photography as part of Seth Apter’s Creative Team. This month we will be looking at choosing the best photo and what represents you best. It will definitely be a bit of review but I honestly believe the more you see things over and over and practice it again and again, it becomes a habit and habits eventually become second nature. I hope it also becomes a new art form or extension to your work as well as the two often times go together. As I researched ways to help you, I inevitably discovered a variety of tools that enhanced my own skills and improved areas that I hadn’t realized needed adjusting. Things change frequently so I will be tapping into and reading about photography for sometime I suppose. For any newbie that is just joining this post, over the past seven months I have been discussing a variety of ways to take better photos, how to use lighting, deciding whether or not to use props, learning about free apps and what they offer, trouble shooting and pretty much everything in between. I’ve shared how to rework your photo layout so that there will be less adjusting later but also explained how to adjust photos using your smart phone, phone apps and a bit of photoshop if things aren’t working out the way you planned. I believe in spending smarter not more so I have kept any purchasing to the bare minimum, if at all, since the biggest investment has already been done with your smart phone. I believe in using your time and talents to bring out the best in your artwork and you. If you have missed any part of these sessions, you can start here over at StencilGirl® Talk or you can work your way back into my monthly posts on my blog. (They are all consistently located near the earlier part of the month.) I know I have said this one thing over and over in every post so I decided that I would make this into a tiny quiz. No grading here. 🙂 _______________ and ________________ are the most important part of a photo. I’m sure most of you remember. If you don’t, you can check back on previous posts but I will share them again in this post. I only have one more post on this series left and if I have left you with nothing else but those two key elements, I will have succeeded. 🙂

Anyway, I thought today would be a good time to share some decent photos of art and vintage findings then show ways (from the tools I’ve shared previously) to tweak them to make them them really shine. I will add some suggestions along the way so you can actually see how I decided on what photo was the winner, etc. In addition, I recently saw an outstanding video from history-making professional photographer by the name of Tyler Mitchell. (See his trailer video. I think this would be a great Master Class to take btw.) He touched on many of the same concepts as I have but he said something that was so impactful that I had to tie it into this series and that is of course, doing YOU, your style! Outside of making the photos clear and light, always a requirement, showcase you. Some of you have told me you don’t like props while others told me you love them. Unless you are required to tell some particular product story, choose what excites YOU and bring that in. Nothing shines better than YOUR story.

First up is an easy fix and will help any of you who are new here to fill in those two blanks above. Every time you look at your photo ask yourself those two questions.

Lighting:

Two pics of the same elements. One edges the other out a bit more by the light.

This…

or this…

Both are nice. I just find the red to be bolder and brighter in the second pic. I highlighted the photo in photoshop and brought in a little red saturation.

Focus:

Focus not only on making a clear image but on sharing the part that is most important. Whether it be in the details, the overall view, or the products that made the art, make sure that part is the main message.

Here I am highlighting the embossing powder and some typography,

while just a slight change in the focus makes the stamp images more important. Being aware of your intentions helps to bring the correct imagery into view.

Choosing a Background:

Remember this can be personal or this could be professional. Which one would you pick?

This first one is a bit busy for me. Lots of little details going on outside of the box and a bit distracting. It is clear and and the lighting is good but It might be a “no” for all the grass and wood chips on the ground. However, if I am choosing this based on an outdoor art retreat, I might be inclined to feature it. What would you choose? It’s really a personal preference at this point.

This one is definitely more focused on the projects. A little “shady” on the left ( I can actually see my hand holding the phone) but better. Thinking the background is too large compared to the art being showcased. I do think it is important to make sure there is a balance to your photo. If your prop or background is the same size or bigger than your art, considering changing it or moving it. I love props, especially vintage ones but if I am looking at the props as much or more than the art, it might be best to remove it.

For me, this was the winner. It was a clear, well-lit shot of the projects I wanted to showcase. Lots of projects in there but they all could be seen equally. The background grounded the box without overshadowing it. Btw, all of these objects were created from a week long retreat with our own Seth Apter and Roxanne Evans Stout in beautiful Taos, New Mexico. If you ever have the opportunity to do an art retreat, I highly recommend it. Theirs was exceptional! I was drawn to this retreat not only because of the instructors but also because of the setting and how the elements from nature were brought into our art. I learned so much and met so many ridiculously, talented and kind people! And if any of my Taos friends are reading this, I miss you all so much! What a precious time we had!

Applying Apps:

In a previous post I have talked about free apps and paid apps for the smart phone as well as a little Photoshop from the computer. However, I forgot to mention one outside app that I do use though I haven’t for sometime because I have forgotten about it. I felt it was worth mentioning here. “Hipstamatic” is a favorite of mine for lots of reasons. It allows me to alter photos and give them a unique twist, style and/or era. Again, I do not promote huge alterations as it can be misleading but sometimes, if the story dictates it or it is part of who you are, like you love the mid-century style for example, it is totally fun to play with.

Here’s my unaltered photo. Lots of my vintage collectables. 🙂 It works well.

But here it is again altered with the Hipstamatic app. I love the warmth and nostalgia it brought to this photo. It says old and vintage and remnants of the past. With this app, you can either shoot the photo with the filter on or alter it later. The scratchy edge is also a feature. I haven’t used this one in a long time so know there may have been some changes and upgrades. Make sure if you are using this app for a submission, that it’s acceptable.

Had to sneak these two photos in too! Both were from my time in Taos. The door SPEAKS VOLUMES. One simple photo of a door and light. Storytelling at its finest. Nothing complicated here. Art is not only made from materials but created through inspirational pieces. Somehow this open door signified opportunities. It really motivated my art at the retreat.

And I have to show you the after and before of this picture. This is a significant change. This first one almost looks like a painting.

And here is the original. It’s still beautiful because nature is exactly that but if you were deciding where to visit….hmmmm. I guess you could say that photography has the power to influence and persuade, just like a painting or work of art can move you. And really, that choice is in your hands.

Now back to the art…

What’s THE Story?

What are you trying to convey? What motivates you? What’s your inspiration? Is it the layered, painty background? Is it a technique? Is it a product? Focus in on that part.

Is it the dimensional images you want to sell?

Is it how you worked in stamps into your substrate?

Today’s homework and challenge…

What’s YOUR Story?

The beginning, the end and everything in between.

I have given you a lot of ways to improve your photography skills and ways to make your art shine. So where do you go from here as far as making photos your own? Now it’s time to work on doing you with your photos. What do you like to see when you photograph your art? Do you have a distinct style or an element that best describes you? Are there certain photos or websites that you are drawn to over others because of lighting, colors, stylizing? What kind of art do you love to do? Sounds cliche but whatever “sets your soul on fire”, focus on that! Write a list if you are unsure. I’m sure you will find particular elements that are you. Some people like to shoot their photos at an angle while some like an over-the-top, flat lay. Some prefer adding warmth to their projects while others like lots of white. Are you moved by a dark and moody background as opposed to a bright and cheery set? Start sharing who you are through your art and photo it in a way that feels good and natural for you. I know of no other way for you to stand out than to be true to who you are all the way down to photography. You are the director and you get to write the script. I’m excited to watch you grow as you develop your skills and move into your unique niche.

XO,