Sun flare is a burst of light in your image, caused by the sun hitting your lens and scattering. The scattered light will appear as bright streaks and/or spots on your image. For most of photography’s history, photographers avoided sun flare and believed it ruined an image. They considered it unprofessional and the mark of…

A photograph with a sense of depth invites the viewer to explore an image. Depth creates a backstory for an image, and it adds dimensionality and richness. Learning how to emphasize depth is a important skill for every photographer. What is Depth in Photography Depth is the feeling of three-dimensionality you get from looking at…

The Merriam-Webster definition of mystery is: “something not understood or beyond understanding; enigma”. Let’s keep that definition in mind as we try to create images that evoke a sense of mystery, that make the viewer curious and draw them into the image. Using Light to Create Mystery The lighting in a photograph dramatically influences the…

Shape is an important element of composition in photography and in art. Shapes add meaning, context, balance, and interest to an image. What is Shape in Photography? Shape is the two dimensional appearance of an object, usually created by a closed line. This type of shape is referred to as a positive shape. Shapes can…

For the fourth week of the photography challenge we are going to be looking at light, learning to see it and differentiate the different types of light. Today you get to stay inside for the challenge and learn about the qualities of window light. Find a small object – an egg or small vase would…

Architecture is one of my favorite types of photography. It has a such strong, graphic quality, there is nothing subtle about architecture — perhaps because it is man-made, with steel, glass, and cement. How to Take Photographs of Architecture If you are trying to take a straightforward rendering of a building, then you need a…

Abstract photography takes the idea of looking at a subject in a new way to an extreme. Abstract photography obscures the subject, sometimes so much that it’s impossible to identify what it is. Understanding the elements of composition can really help you create effective abstract images. Taking advantage of and highlighting strong and interesting lines,…

Color contributes enormously to the effectiveness of an image. Color has a big impact on the viewer’s perception and emotional response. There is an entire field of color psychology, used by marketers to figure out what will make you buy the product they are trying to sell, film directors to enhance the mood they are…

Make your images stronger and more interesting by using reflections in your composition. What is a reflection? A reflection is a mirror image created when light bounces off of an object onto a reflective surface and then off again to create the reflection. If the surface is hard and smooth like glass, then the reflection…

Patterns are soothing when we see them in images, because our brains evolved to make sense of the world and to protect ourselves through pattern recognition. Learning to recognize and use patterns in photography will improve your photography. What Exactly is a Pattern? A pattern is a repeating element in your image. The element might…