Hey all — Another glorious episode of cjRAW is here! Can I just say that I’m having so much fun making all this content – and to be back on my game! Thank you for all your well wishes, support and sharing.
Also thank you for the oodles of comments & photo submissions across my social channels for photo critique! Given your overwhelming response, I decided to not just review one, but SEVEN photos. And even if your photo was not selected, I bet dollars to donuts you’ll find some tasty tidbits to consider the next time you pull out your camera.
And- oh – be sure to hang tight to the end of the episode as well…as I’ll discuss how you can get your photos reviewed on the show in future episodes AND some ways easy peasy ways to get other people to chime in and evolve your work through constructive feedback.
In the meantime – here’s just a sample list of stuff I discuss when reviewing your images in this episode… (LMK in the comments what’s working for you and what you’d like me to do differently next time).
Zero in on Your Subject
Every shot tells a story. The most powerful photos zero in on their subject by removing the less important details that distract from it. Use composition, light, natural lines, focus & blur, to direct the eye to the elements more important and remove the rest.
Consider Body Position
If the subject of your shot is moving through the frame, take a look at their body position. If they are the subject of your photo, you’d ideally want to see the majority of the athlete, or a really nice shape that creates visual interest & context.
Placement of subjects in a photo
Look for opportunities for your subjects to stand out from their surroundings through camera angle or position. Ideally, try to keep them separated from the background so they are not lost or engulfed by other elements. Make sure they don’t intersect with the background in weird ways…(i.e. stuff sticking out of the subject’s head.)
Use the rule of thirds
A simple, yet powerful tool that can affect the tone and balance of your photo. Artistic choice comes into play by either employing it or breaking it. Lines, for example, can frame a subject, draw the eye toward convergence or create tensions through a blocking or cutting off feeling.
Wide Angle Lenses
Use of a wide angle lens can cause distortion on the outer edges of your frame. If used in a scene with humans, the side-effect could be distortion of their bodies. You can minimize this by avoiding to place your subject near the edge of frame – and/or use photo editing software to digitally correct for this.
And there’s a bunch more goodness buried in the video. Dig in and LMK what you think.
Links from the Episode
My CreativeLive Course Pick of the Week: The Power of Body Language, Vanessa Van Edwards [14:37]
This is not directly photo related, but it’s something every photographer can use -> Social queues and techniques through subtle body language can help you communicate more effectively in client meetings, negotiations, and more.
What’s Covered
The Idea [0:27]
Karan Jeebun [1:03]
Crop the photo [1:17] Remove other distracting elements [1:59]
Blake Johnson [2:34]
Initial Reaction [2:45] Strive for tack focus in panning moves [3:15] Body Positioning [3:44]
Bram Berkein [4:20]
Initial Reaction [4:39] Hide the light source behind an object to avoid over exposure [5:18] Subject Placement [5:47]
Krassy Dimitrov [6:11]
Initial Reaction [6:22] Rule of Thirds [6:36] Shoot what’s comfortable to the eye[7:14]
Preston Gervais[7:38]
Initial Reaction [8:16] Show just enough detail [8:33]
Udell Jimenez [8:55]
Initial Reaction [9:02] Using a wide angle lens [9:21] Composition + Use of Triangles [9:59] Exposure [10:18] Storytelling [10:30]
Veronica Domeier [11:10]
Initial Reaction [11:23] Composition [11:58] Remove anything that competes with the main subject [12:17] Exposure [12:31]
How to Get More Feedback Like This:
- Watch for future cjRAW opportunities [12:55]
- Your Trusted Circle [13:13]
- Trusted Source Online, Workshops, Courses [13:32]
- Professional Reviewers [13:56]
People Mentioned
Tim Ferriss
Casey Neistat
Michael Kenna
Zack Arias
Vincent Laforet
Sue Bryce
Chris Burkhard
