Exploring tEchniquEs 63
introduction
once you have defined your concept and your approach, you can look
at the options you have to improve your image. this chapter offers you
a wide variety of technical and creative choices: learn to make the right
choice according to the way you want your image to look and feel.
the first subject is light, the very reason for photography’s existence.
how are you going to use the light, to find or create interesting light
effects? Will available light be enough, or will you need extra lighting
equipment? in the studio, what effects are possible? how do you position
light and model to sculpt the body or make intriguing
plays of light and shadow? What effect does the
direction of light have on the mood of the image?
the second section focuses on the model—the
person who is going to reveal your vision through his
or her pose and expression. learn to adjust a pose
when it looks awkward or unnatural, and to judge whether it suits the
atmosphere of your picture. Find out, too, how lighting affects the pose.
the section on sharpness and blur teaches you that you can take
pictures in any kind of light, and that sharpness is no longer a premise
for a successful image. once you know how to apply selective sharpness
or blur, a whole new world of image-making will open up for you.
then we move on to composition. What is the difference in effect
between placing a model centrally in the image or to one side? how can
you create dynamism by your choice of framing. What effect does your
perspective and viewpoint have on the emotional impact of the image?
Will you use abstracts and distortion effects in your photography?
And finally, make all those technical choices in relation to the
location, creating a visual or emotional connection between your model,
the setting, and the viewer.
All examples shown here have been realized with simple means,
techniques, and equipment. You don’t have to be a technical wizard to
imitate them, because what matters is the feel and the impact of an image,
not its technical complexity. the simpler the technique, the more energy
you’ll have to focus on the graphic and emotional strength of your imagery—
remember this and you will be on your way to building a strong and
distinctive personal style.
