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Composition: Does Your Photograph Need a Subject???
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Jan 23, 2017 06:39:05   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
SharpShooter wrote:
Yes folks, now that whether a photo tells a story or not is fresh in your minds, lets examine WHAT makes an image strong or weak.
It's time for us to have another good discussion on Composition. And the subject to dissect is..., well..., SUBJECT!!!
I'll start by saying that as per my thinking, about 1/2 of the images I see here don't even HAVE a subject, let alone a story.
Also. I'm by no means an authority on any of this but I will present this and anybody that feels they have some expertise here can help move the discussion along.
Lets also keep in mind that a subject is a somewhat fundamental building block in any image.
BUT I will mention that I feel an good image will have a VERY strong subject or a VERY strong composition or both or one or the other. A weak image may have none at all.
So the idea is to be able to recognize in our own images, or in others what a strong subject and/or composition even looks like.
Once we can reliably recognize that, we can begin to critique our own images for strength and take better images.
Anybody can post an image and add what they feel is strong about it and feel free to chime in as to your own opinions.
I'm also relying on those more experienced here to help out and lend their own spin on this as it's how we will all learn. It's a good opportunity for those that are not as advanced to ask questions and learn to strengthen their own work!
I'll post three images in my next post to get the ball rolling. Lets have a good educational time here!!!
Please wait a few minutes for me to put my pics up in the next post before you respond, so it doesn't get moved!! Thanks
SS
Yes folks, now that whether a photo tells a story ... (show quote)


If the photo elicits an emotional response, that becomes the subject.

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Jan 23, 2017 07:41:35   #
Zazzy1 Loc: Northern Ca.
 
Can a very pretty picture be the subject? I often wonder, because when I take landscape photos I don't always have a subject but really like my photo because of it's beauty.

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Jan 23, 2017 07:42:04   #
Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ
 
SharpShooter wrote:
Here are 3 images with what I feel are varying degrees of strength. One of the images is very typical of what we see a lot of. It's a pretty picture but WHAT is the subject? If we have to be guessing what the subject even is, or asking, OR have to be told, it's NOT a very strong image.
So lets start to determine WHAT makes a GOOD or a STRONG image.
OK boys and girls..., have at it!!!

Also I'll be gone till the early afternoon today so may not get a chance to be back. I'll try and check in. Feel free to roll it along without me!!! LoL
SS
Here are 3 images with what I feel are varying deg... (show quote)


Sometimes the subject is implied. The third picture reminds me of the warmth of the sun and the feel of cold winds off of snow.
For some, that wouldn't be a strong subject.

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Jan 23, 2017 08:17:49   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
rook2c4 wrote:
Aesthetic considerations in photography are essentially the same as those for painting. As such, a "subject" need not necessarily be defined by a tangible object within the composition, but can instead be represented by a general concept or relationship. You will find this especially prevalent in abstract painting, but not exclusively.


One way I judge photos is on how strong a reaction I have, and how quickly I react to them. A subject can be anything, including the mood subconsciously evoked in the viewer.

Some photos work only on a non-verbal, non-rational, purely visual level. They tend to be studies in line, form, shape, contrast, and color. Others use those elements as a supporting cast of characters in a play of more conventional starring roles...

Some of the most effective images grab you in an instant with a singular subject. Others demand time to "unravel". Some do both...

Sometimes, the subject is just a deliberately placed distraction from the message being communicated.

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Jan 23, 2017 08:53:45   #
paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah
 
Depends of your definition of what a subject is. Sometimes the vastness is the subject. It does not necessarily mean some man made object, bird, building, etc.

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Jan 23, 2017 09:00:26   #
dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida
 
[quote=Linda From Maine]Oh come on, tig, how often have you seen me become violent on this forum?
Linda, send out your press spokesman [person] to admonish those who you disagree with!!!

We should all read the lengthy Free information on Composition [A psychological exploration into how people create, share, and react]
http://truecenterpublishing.com/photopsy/article_index.htm#sthash.Jb7Stp96.dpuf
http://truecenterpublishing.com/photopsy/article_index.htm

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Jan 23, 2017 09:05:11   #
revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson
 
Recently been studying Monet and other Impressionists. Talk about lack of subject matter! They just tried to depict their impressions of a scene under different lighting conditions. At first totally discredited and rejected. Then became the main artistic movement.

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Jan 23, 2017 09:16:39   #
photoshack Loc: Irvine, CA
 
One of my favorite types of photography is portraiture, which the subject is always the, uh, subject.

But I love all types of photography, landscapes included. One thing I learned from very good landscape photographers is having a very expensive wide angle lens and trying to capture a landscape with tons of empty foreground or sky you wind up with very dull images. So the third landscape on the initial post I would have liked to move in real close to some of those blossoms so your eye is leading from that to the rest of the wonderful horizon, sky, clouds, etc.

Composition is so important. It's why I am so impressed with iPhonographers who actually compose...the camera is the least important thing...being conscious of everything in the shot makes for a good photograph.

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Jan 23, 2017 09:23:18   #
rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA
 
SharpShooter wrote:
Here are 3 images with what I feel are varying degrees of strength. One of the images is very typical of what we see a lot of. It's a pretty picture but WHAT is the subject? If we have to be guessing what the subject even is, or asking, OR have to be told, it's NOT a very strong image.
So lets start to determine WHAT makes a GOOD or a STRONG image.
OK boys and girls..., have at it!!!

Also I'll be gone till the early afternoon today so may not get a chance to be back. I'll try and check in. Feel free to roll it along without me!!! LoL
SS
Here are 3 images with what I feel are varying deg... (show quote)


I pass over the first two pictures and deal with the third. Here the subject is the intersection of sky and terrain. What makes the picture strong is the flowers accent the terrain and the mountains add additional dimensions to the terrain. I don't think a subject has to be in the picture. It can be implied, as is the case here.

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Jan 23, 2017 09:23:19   #
CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia
 
I have to agree with Wanda. #1 has a subject conflict for me. Believe the bird is the intended subject but the portion of tree with holes is overpowering in size, texture and interest, therefore the bird loses its subject strength. If the portion of tree is the subject, the bird pulls my eye and weakens the tree as subject. I could not say this is a strong subject photo. It just bothers me.

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Jan 23, 2017 09:47:22   #
dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho
 
Leicaflex wrote:
To clarify: " Does Your Photograph Need a Subject???" Are we talking here about the 'subject within the photograph'
or a 'subject title for the photograph'. A strong title, descriptive or humorous, can help the photograph along.

For instance, your first photograph. "Strong Subject". Yes it is, as is the composition, exposure, definition and so on.
A good title may assist the photograph along.

Your second photograph: "Strong composition and subject" Yes indeed and one would expect one of the seven wonders of
the world to have great impact, provided the composition is good, exposure, definition Etc, Etc.

Now we are getting down to it. Your third photograph: "I think this is a very pretty pic but WHAT is the subject?"
What indeed is the subject? Here, a title would assist the viewer. Again all the photographic requirements have been
met. So is the subject the flowers? The mountains? or even the clouds add their own interest?

My conclusion is that a photograph, once all the photographic requirements have been met, exposure and so on.
A strong subject, Your first two photographs, can add impact to an image, does it need a title to assist? maybe so
or maybe not, after all most people would know of the Great Wall of China, even if they have not physically seen for
themselves, but a title could assist the viewer, indicating what part of the wall and its location.

When a photograph is posted on this forum, you do not see the photograph first, you see the subject title.
This may draw you to click on it and view, or it could deter you and you move on.
A strong subject and a Strong or humorous title can assist each other with the photograph.
That is my take on it.
To clarify: " Does Your Photograph Need a Sub... (show quote)


To be clear, do I hear you telling us that the title helps the photograph? If so I can't disagree strongly enough. A photograph should be able to stand alone with no title. The titles used here on UHH are only (for me) a reference point. If I see a title, Park Bench, but then scroll down to the photo and there is certainly a park bench but it is so far away as to hardly be seen then this is not a good photograph. I see that type of photo here on UHH often and wonder why the person posted it. I have taken photos like that with a definite picture in my mind such as the pattern on the bench, spectacular lighting on the bench such as a sunbeam coming upon it but if that has not worked out I don't submit the photograph. I realize and have said as much here a few times that photographs are different for all of us. What may be a prize winning photograph to you may look like a simple snapshot to me and others.

Dennis

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Jan 23, 2017 09:54:10   #
cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada
 
First impressions are important in viewing photos ( as well as when meeting people for the first time) For me, bird on wholy stump did cause a response of "Wow! Nature can be so intense" and had me flitting from bird to tree repeatedly, gathering more details each time. No leading lines, 1/3 guide evident and yet I would come back many times to get the experience of the details. Bird on wholy stump will stay with me and perhaps me giving it my own title will help keep the memory longer but the subject is natural wonder I suppose and it will never cease to amaze me and no obvious subject is necessary.

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Jan 23, 2017 10:07:02   #
bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN
 
rook2c4 wrote:
Aesthetic considerations in photography are essentially the same as those for painting. As such, a "subject" need not necessarily be defined by a tangible object within the composition, but can instead be represented by a general concept or relationship. You will find this especially prevalent in abstract painting, but not exclusively.


Tht about as good comment on what is and what might not be a subject as I have ever seen.

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Jan 23, 2017 10:25:53   #
SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX
 
What is good composition conjures some interesting questions. However, an important consideration for some, if not most, of our photos, are not about composition but rather are important to the person taking these photos. True, many of these same people, myself included, simply and properly, would benefit by considering compositional elements in our photos. But our main consideration are taking photos of subjects that interest us and exposure and true color rendition become the most important consideration rather than composition.

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Jan 23, 2017 10:38:28   #
revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson
 
What was the subject of Ansel Adams' "Moonrise, Hernandez NM?"

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