Working the Subject

An excellent way for beginning photographers to learn to judge their own images is to evaluate many shots of the same subject taken using different compositions and techniques. Later on when viewing the images, the photographer can decide which shot or shots best accomplished the point of taking the picture and why.

This process is called “working” the subject. The photographer takes shots with the subject in the middle, at the upper right, upper left, nearer the top, nearer the bottom, over to the right and then to the left. It is important to do this in both a horizontal and vertical view.

There’s more. Different angles of view, such as looking down, looking up, from close to the ground, from a standing position, from a kneeling position, and from various squatting stances will give the photographer more compositions. Not to be forgotten are the steps taken to the right or left of the original standing position, too.

Camera techniques with aperture, shutter speed, and point of focus should be varied.

The camera can even be tilted.

Different focal lengths will add to the variety: wide angle, telephoto, and normal. Yes, the photographer will be required physically to move in closer or further away to get the same basic composition.

Later on when it is time to look at all the images for comparison, the best images will be revealed just by looking and feeling the initial impact. The next step is the analysis.

 Where is the main subject located, and why does it look or  “feel” best there?

 What was the angle of view, and why and how does it affect  the impact?

 What part of the image has the sharpest or softest focus, and  how has it impacted the image?

 Are any potential distractions blurry enough not to be  distracting?

 Did the lighting affect the image and how?

 Which image has the greatest impact and why?

 Which image most emphasizes the main subject and how?

 Which image has the fewest distractions?

 Which image tells the best story?

 Which image produces the most emotion?