Mini-Guide to Visual Language in Photography
Photographic visual language is a powerful tool that allows us to tell stories, transmit emotions and capture the essence of a moment. Here I present the five main points that you should consider to improve your photography skills, along with some examples to better ground the concepts.
Tip #1 - Smart composition... Are there rules???
Composition refers to how we organize the elements within the frame. A good composition guides the viewer's gaze to the point of interest in the image.
This topic is of great debate from the orthodox who insist on classical lines (Greek Architecture), to total anarchy (Henri Cartier-Bresson, "The Decisive Moment").
Personally, I believe that, as in everything, you have to know and practice the rules, find the one that seems best useful to your style and type of work and have the rest as a toolbox.
For beginners, here are some concepts:
The famous "Golden Ratio" ...arranging the focal points of your image according to this "standard" of harmonic composition.
Rule of Thirds: Divide your image into nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Place important elements at intersections or along lines. This creates balance and makes the photo more attractive.
Example: Photograph of a landscape where the horizon is aligned with the lower line of thirds and a solitary tree is located at one of the intersections.
Guide Lines: Use natural lines such as roads, rivers or architectural lines to direct the viewer's gaze towards the main subject.
Example: A bridge that directs the view towards an illuminated city at dusk.
As always, rules are written to be broken, but once you have a good handle on the basics so that when you break the rules, something "shocking" comes out, but for good reasons! :-)
Tip #2 - Lighting
Lighting is essential in photography as it affects the mood and perception of the image. There are several types of lighting that you can use:
Natural Light: Take advantage of sunlight during the "golden hour" (at sunrise or sunset) for warm, soft lighting.
Example: Outdoor portraits with afternoon sunlight creating soft, warm shadows on the face.
Artificial Light: Use studio lights, flashes or lamps to control lighting indoors or in low light situations. You can add colors and if you want further, explore combinations of complementary colors to create the portrait.
Example: A studio portrait with side lighting that highlights the skin textures of the subject's face.
"Photography is like the sun, the rays that emanate from the subject are the testimony" - Henri Cartier-Bresson
Tip #3 – Color
Color can evoke emotions and add depth to your photos. Here are some concepts to consider:
Color Palette: Select a cohesive color palette that complements the theme of your photo. If you want to learn about color palettes you can experiment with a free Adobe tool that I leave you at the end.
Example: A photograph of a market with vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables arranged in an orderly manner.
Color Contrast: Use complementary colors (such as blue and orange) to make the main elements stand out and generate a "cinematic light."
Example: A subject dressed in blue standing in front of an orange wall.
Tip #4 – Perspective
Perspective can completely change the way a photo is perceived. Experiment with different angles and points of view:
Low Angle: Take the photo from a low angle to make the subject look more imposing and dominant.
Example: Photograph of a building from ground level, making it appear taller and more majestic.
High Angle: Take the photo from a high angle to give a feeling of vulnerability or smallness.
Example: Photograph of a person sitting in a park seen from above, capturing the tranquility of the moment.
Tip #5 - Visual Narrative, Movement...
Each photo tells (or ideally should tell) a story. Think about the message or emotion you want to convey and how the elements of your photo contribute to that narrative:
Movement: Defines whether there is movement of the subject with respect to its environment. In visual narrative there are also several elements that can be considered. One of my favorites is to consider that the left side is normally associated with the past or even negative situations. The right/up side is unconsciously perceived as related to the future or optimistic and hopeful situations. Try taking a photo of the subject in a pensive pose looking to the right side and compare it to the left, what do you feel?
Example: The photo on the cover is one of my favorites and is of the man in the bubble, protected but isolated, going to the left, giving it a touch of resignation and sadness.
Context: Include elements in the background that give more information about the subject or situation.
Example: A photo of a fisherman working on his boat with the ocean in the background, telling the story of his daily life.
Detail: Sometimes focusing on a small detail can tell a powerful story.
Example: A photograph of an elderly woman's wrinkled hands holding a flower, evoking feelings of tenderness and nostalgia.
In summary...
Visual language in photography, as well as in many arts, considers elements of Composition, Lighting, Color, Perspective and Visual Narrative. Each of these elements has a wide variety of "sub-elements" that together give us a large number of tools. Hence the importance of a little planning, until we incorporate these elements unconsciously and make use of those that help us the most in each photograph.
If you have questions or comments, do not hesitate to call us or write to us here or on my social networks.
Adobe Color Palette Resource I mentioned above: Adobe Color
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