*  IF you happen to find any misspellings, contextual errors or any other kind of text-related mistakes, you can blame MS Word or little green men from Mars, but not me. Because I don't make mistakes. Because I'm perfect.

Premises  .  of  .  good  .  pictures
(P r e m i z e l e  .  f o t o g r a f i i l o r  .  r e u s i t e )

Very often we think that only when doing a fashion, commercial or concept imagery we would have to maybe have an idea for creating a photograph. But in reality we've seen that for creating great images every time, even when doing spontaneous, event shots it's imperative to have an idea in mind of what are we looking for and all the aspects matter, even if we prepare all of it our selves or not.

Yes, a concept well prepared image, will most probably have a much higher rate of success (= be a good image or a best sell if you wish) then an event one, where we can't control almost everything, but the thing we can always control is what we see, the way we see it and how we "hunt" for it. What I mean is that having an idea of what are we looking for it's far more important then some might think. Well with the digital photography today anyone can make with a lucky shot a great picture but I'm talking about delivering awesome imagery every time no matter what type of photographs we do.

 An idea it can be only the attitude of the model and we just "hunt" that, but all depends on what we've got to work with (talent of the photographer included or NOT LOL). In another words: along with the idea/concept/massage the ingredients are important but the photographer's talent and way of thinking/hunting are key*.

 It's also a well known fact that pictures can lie big time, and having a clear idea/ preconception in mind is the way to do it. Thinking first and seeing differently, in an original, out of the box way will create better pictures or pictures that are "lying" if you wish. That can be done better and better according with the level of thinking, preparation, execution and post production of that image. Why would you lie? Don't if you can. I find good or bad pictures to be telling stories. Subjective stories at best in a good, excellent or terrible way. I don't think photography is presenting the (whole) reality not even when a documentary is made. But any way...

You can not always tell about the level of preparation or post production of an image jut by looking at it but if you can't tell how difficult that was then that can be used as an advantage but on the other hand if you can clearly see that it took a lot of knowledge, talent, sophistication, originality to create it then that can be part of the success of it depending on the situation.

A picture can be so well prepared and still be mediocre at best if there is no talent what so ever in the team (the photographer especially ) that created it but sometimes just one single thing can be enough to get pictures** in the hole of fame if there its talent involved.

" Recipe " when dooing images with MODEL/s:
 
Preparations / "preconception" :

- take TALENTED TEAM (photographer & all) & decent minimum gear to use or the best there is if you can. Then think at:

- a concept. an idea. or a message. symbols. expressing emotions, shock value, and so on ...
- booking the right (looking) model/s or improvising
- booking the right location (or changing the concept. idea for the one that you have LOL or go in a studio)
- the right makeup
- the right hair style
- the right clothing
- using (the right) props can make a big difference
- preparing treats and music if possible (water, juice & snacks or food) for the model and "the team"

Execution / production :

- tricks (artificial wind, optical illusions, etc)
- the setting on location
- settings of the camera & accessories
- the use of light (natural & or artificial)is by far the most important aspect (photography is about light)
- attitude. posing. expressivity. acting of the model/s - tell your concepts clearly before hand and don't stress the model with your poses ;)
- atmosphere of the shoot
- good or the right weather (improvising) or the right (use) of lights

Post production :

- post processing - less is more (there are exceptions I know) (first calibrate your monitor, printer, scanner)
- preparing for print (PC & web)
- printing (maybe) or sell it as file (maybe)
- framing (maybe) & sell it as a print (maybe)

*  knowing to improvise or to take advantage in a case of error it is also part of having talent or experience
** not just one picture that is ;) for just one picture the luck it's all it takes ;)

The use of flash in a sunny day Using flash when the existing light is not enough is quite often & expected but when there is to much (like in this case) that's not a time, presumably to think about using an extra light. But why would I want that? Well when for instance the subject is in contrejour (by choice or not) then the use of a flash (a reflector might be not enough or possible) can make a huge difference if used correctly. Read more about this on my blog.

The use of flash (camera strobe) in a cloudy day it's not that unheard of but using it on a sunny day will probably rase some eyebrows. I would say after being the only one (from a huge crowd) to use one on this occasion for instance (also not a staged scene) :