Objectives.
The two main principles governing the creation of a photograph are these:
creating flow and directing the eye. Gaining an understanding of these prin-
ciples is paramount.
Creating Flow.“Flow” is the term I use to describe how the viewer’s eye
is directed or drawn through the photograph. In the Western world, our eyes
are trained to look at the printed page from left to right. Even a child who
cannot yet read will follow the words in this direction using their finger. As
adults,whenweneedtoquicklyscanapage,weautomaticallyglancefromthe
left to the right. The same basic principle applies when looking at a photo-
graph.The eye will“enter” fromthe lower leftcorner.Then,itwillsearchfor
the brightest thing in the photograph. The arrangement of lines, shapes, col-
1-3(facingpage).Models need to know
what you’re thinking. Communicating
your image concept clearly is critical to
success.1-4.Notice how the light and shade on
the model’s body create sweeping lines
that draw your eye up to her face.