What makes a good photograph?
- A good photographer can express the photographers intention by making the subject matter clear, they can do this through a number of techniques, however I think light is the most important way to show this. Light really creates the atmosphere of an image, if the image is presented through dark tones we get the impression of mystery and sometimes sadness however an image a lot brighter evokes more happier and brighter emotions. Depending on the artists intention they can use light in either way. In this image we can tell the photographer's intention was to make this image quite mysterious, the artist has used such light tones that we can't see all of the persons face as if something hasn't been revealed.
- Good photographs can communicate something that words cannot. The strongest way I think you can do this is using facial expressions in the case of using people in the image. Although emotions can be described through writing its not the same as somebody capturing what they actually look like. One single facial expression can evoke so many feelings that it takes over the whole image, which then communicates to the viewer. Colour is also a good way to communicate something to the audience. If an image is in a certain colour we look at it in a different way like when music is put to a film we also see it in a different way. For example cooler colours make you feel more relaxed with the image however warmer colours represent more aggressive emotions like fire. This image communicates the emotions of insecurity, I think this because the image hasn't been taken for us to see everything in the picture obviously but instead the photographer has captured it as if we can't see the rest of the image, leaving it quite mysterious and unknown.
- A good photograph can engage or capture the viewers attention. Usually more dramatic and contrasting images attract attention as they a bold, loud and garish. The composition is vital for an attractive image as if the elements aren't composed in a 'suitable' way the subject of the image immediately becomes less clear. The image above although being very pale is quite contrasting as the only colours we see are black and cream. This makes it a more grabbing image as it really catches the eye.
- A good photograph can make a person feel sympathy often when the image is quite sad where there is something or someone to feel sorry for. What a good photograph is could be questioned however if the photographers intention is for the viewer to feel emotion for the image, the photographer has acheived his goal. He would have done this by using a variety of techniques or maybe just a few. I feel sympathy in this image as the person in the photograph looks quite desperate and sad. We can see this from the facial expressions she's pulling and the negative space surrounding her symbolising isolation and desperation.
- I think that some photographs are best shown alone however others are best shown as collection, depending on the type of photo. I think if the image is quite dramatic and different to any other like this image they should be shown alone however if there are a collection of images that share the same relevance its interesting to see them together. For example this image I think should be shown alone as it is contrasting and really draws you in, also because its quite an unusual image I don't think any other image would reach its standards of emotion carried through the image.
- I think that a good photograph shouldn't demand a response as there is nothing wrong with not feeling any emotions when viewing an image however images should make you think about the image, and deeper into the subject of the image, also if you look at a photograph for a long time you discover different elements in the image that you wouldn't recognise the first glance this is why its important to look at something for a while before you can make a judgment.
- A photograph should be well composed and have good lighting that is suitable for the subject matter. I don't think a photograph should have a certain lighting for every image taken however the lighting should help communicate the purpose of the image to the viewer, whether that is low lighting to create a mystic feel, or bright lighting to create a cheerful feel it should be appropriate for the type of photograph. This is the same for when you compose an image. The photograph has been composed so that it stands out because the girl is placed right in the centre of the image rather than on the side, this draws us in. Also the lighting is very bright so that the outline of her body and face contrast strongly against the the very pale background.