What is  Good Photography and What is the Value of an Image?            

Good photography has depth and dimension created by proper lighting and composition. It is clear and sharp, the colors are correct, emphasis is on the subject, nothing pulls the viewers eyes from the subject. Great photography has this and captures a special moment.  Capturing the moment without good lighting, composition and focus/exposure loses the impact and value of the image.

Great images are created, Great images on demand are a result of education and talent.   Technical mastery of lighting and composition is required then artistic application and an understanding of the end goal.  In selecting a Professional photographer look for credentials, a body of work and professionalism.  You are investing in your image and it affects your future. The value of the image is what it provides in terms of memories, emotions, telling a story, creating a first impression and impacting the perception and actions of the viewer.

What is the value of an image?  The saying a picture is worth a thousand words hold true.  An image conveys  meaning and evokes emotion without words.  It can hold;  memories, emotions, tell a story, create a first impression and impact the perception and actions of the viewer.

In today’s world everyone has a camera that assists in focus and exposure.  An image in focus and  properly exposed is a snap shot.  Proper lighting, composition and timing greatly improves it and everybody gets a good one occasionally.

 Lighting creates dimension, composition tells the story, Focus and exposure captures the information and timing  creates  the impact and is the icing on the cake.  You can’t arrive at the perfect moment unprepared.  And, the perfect moment may have to be created.

Wedding photography is where most photographers start, because they can. When the participants look good and the venue is beautiful good images can be captured, but more is required. Weddings are fast moving one time only events where everything changes. Understanding and creating optimum lighting, composition and posing of people while adjusting  for changes and having backup equipment are also needed.  Professionals capture images in RAW and process the images for density and color later before renaming and archiving for client viewing.  Invest in your memories, photography is an art not a commodity.

Having a brush and palette does not make an Artist...Having a camera does not make a photographer.

© Christine Reynolds M.Photog., CPP, FDPE, FED, MBA