What Makes A Photograph A Good One ?

Now what makes a 'good' photograph ? As with all artworks, the answer has to be subjective. To what extent is our objectivity, the ability to evaluate according to a predefined criteria, compromised by our perspective, our subjectivity? Although a novice photographer, I appreciate that there are established rules or guidelines for creating an effective shot. However, the fact that they're called rules immediately lowers the fun sensor for me .

Photographs may also have merit because of reasons other than being technically sound, i.e according to established parameters. A photograph may be described as : stunning; unnerving; intriguing; haunting; cute; creative; descriptive; evocative; pure; uplifting and any one or more of a litany of adjectives. As photography is defined as an artform I believe it is important to follow  intuition which is at the heart of creativity. Photographers are as diverse in their choice of subject as they are in their technique. There is always room for stretching the boundaries and portraying what may never have been seen before.

Constructive feedback is always welcome to both practical and intuitive photographers.

A Powerful Image For Love

just loved the sentiment here and wanted to save it somewhere, so here is as good a place as any

In Photography, Rules Aren't Laws  is a great read which examines some rules and when it can be beneficial to break them.
Composition Articles - Breaking all the rules Gloria Hopkins suggests using the word guidelines rather than rules - I like that perspective!
Some helpul guidelines for effective composition

1. Rule Of Thirds – add a sense of balance to your photo. 
2. Leading Lines –Use this to draw the eyes to the subject or to express the concept of traveling through the scene.
3. Symmetry and Pattern – Have a symmetrical shot which is broken up by some sort of discord or irregularity.
4. Viewpoint - Should you shoot from above, below, at an angle, far away, or close up?
5. Background - Remove any distracting and/or unwanted elements before pressing the shutter button.
6. Depth – Our eyes see three dimensionally, but the camera is two dimensional -have objects/subjects in the foreground, middle-ground, and background of the scene.  Also, overlapping some elements can help the eyes to interpret depth in a scene.
7. Cropping - Whenever possible, it is best to “fill the frame” with your subject. 

How to win photography competitions was an inspiration, not because I'm the type to enter competitions, but because it gives some strong pointers for all photographers. It made a lot of sense to me, but then again I'm at the stage of "still not knowing what I don't know"

What Do You Think ? 

The following examples were provided on Digital Photography Tips.Net which I've referred to elsewhere because it is such a comprehensive resource.  They were used to compare the same shot taken by two photographers, one experienced and the other a novice (interestingly, it was written by the husband of the duo)

Which composition or perspective do you prefer ? Go to the site to see a critique. The photos are presented in a mouse roll over technique which is much more dramatic than the effect I've employed here.

With respect to subject interpretation, Edward Weston says it in a nutshell, "I see no reason for recording the obvious."

What is a good photograph ? at Photoluminary

Guidelines, Not Rules !

Gloria Hopkins suggests using the word guidelines rather than rules in Composition Articles - Breaking all the rules - I like that perspective! I think I'll adopt that terminology myself from now on. Seems less didactic and it's not good form to be didactic when creative pursuits are being examined. 



Serendipitously discovered the Digital Photography Tips.Net Site which offers a smorgasbord of topics to peruse. Amongst many other easy to read hints "the rule of thirds" was explained, demonstrated and then gently challenged:

"... After spending a whole page convincing you of the benefits of the rule of thirds, yes, now I want you to break them. But not every time! The rule of thirds will produce better photos in about 80% of situations. But stretch the rule a little. Imagine the grid is divided into four rather than three. And sometimes (not often!) it really is better to have the focal point in the center of the photograph...."

10 Top Photography Composition Guidelines

Composition Guidelines:
1. The rule of thirds

2. The Golden Section Rule  apparently can be confused with the rule of thirds, but there are geometric differences.

 ".....As the Golden Section is found in the design and beauty of nature, it can also be used to achieve beauty and balance in the design of art.  This is only a tool though, and not a rule, for composition. The Golden Section was used extensively by Leonardo Da Vinci.  Note how all the key dimensions of the room and the table in Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" were based on the Golden Section, which was known in the Renaissance period as The Divine Proportion...." source: Phi and the golden section in art

Those with a mathematical mind may like to use the Golden Ratio Calculator for any future design projects !  Actually I'm wondering if its beginning to all sound a tad contrived. Using mathematics, a system of order to compartmentalise a creative pursuit ? Not convinced, but the aim is to maintain an open mind.

3. Using Lines

I will include more as I learn more