How To Take Pictures That People Remember

The Focus: Intentional Picture Taking

When a picture is taken with intention, your viewers will be that much more intrigued. By doing this you are adding dynamic elements to your work, to which those viewing will most likely take notice. A picture can be much more than just visual aesthetics, conveying meaningful messages. ideas. The objective for this kind of artistic expression is to tell a story, whether it's your own or someone else's. Applying some sort of origin or story to your photos is by no means mandatory, but it does make for a more interesting picture. The experience for both the photographer and the person being photographed becomes more of a creative collaboration.

Prior to picking up your camera, take time to think about the premise for the pictures you'll be taking. It will help to clear the mind and make room for more productive thoughts and ideas. Try using the following mneumonic whenever you take a picture.

POISE

'P' stands for Panoramic. What is the scene that lies in front of you? Take a Panoramic stance when considering the image you will be taking.

'O' stands for Object. --How does the Object interact with the subject?

'I' stands for Interact.

'S' stands for Subject.

'E' stands for Emotion.

Start by PANNING the scene of the location of the shoot. Then observe how either the OBJECT INTERACT with the SUBJECT (or vice versa)? WHat is the EMOTION is being conveyed to set a particular mood?

For example, maybe the person being photograghed (subject) is reading (interacting)a book (object). Integrating details such as these will naturally implicate a story that its viewer can interpret the story behind the image, from a more personal standpoint based on their individual experiences.

Every time you take a picture and you address these things you are also learning to develop your photographer's eye. In a way you're simply critiquing your own work and applying the basic rules related to photography.

Some important key points to remember are to carefully observe the composition of your subject, as well as consider the rule of thirds. Positioning the subject or object dead center does nothing more than make a picture just as ordinary as before. Experimenting with differnt angles and center points will help to set your own preferences related to your intention. Also, the surrounding space of the photograph should not distract the person from the the picture's main focus, rather it should enhance it.

How does the picture look when you take a step back? Is it too cluttered? Is it too empty. Always do a quick mental rundown of standard things that may be factors for your desired outcome.

And most important step to remember is to just have fun.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.