Placing and composing the scene in the mind and then applying it to the real situation is essential. Knowing what we want and where we want it will help us make a better shot. Seeing volumes, shapes and spatial situation before a planned shot is essential.
Everything changes when we are on the ground and these decisions are a matter of seconds.
Finding the composition we want and where the main lines will pass helps us to reinforce the image
The rule of thirds is a good start for composing. Exaggerating the thirds of it will cause a greater aggressiveness in the image creating a greater contrast in the areas of the shot.
The use of lines is esential. Its purpose is to bring the observer's view to different parts of the image. Curves can be the most important subject or, as in the case of main lines, can be the way to highlight focal elements.
Applying it to our photographs, symmetry allows us perfectly balanced compositions, and is achieved when both sides of the image have the same weight, which will generate a feeling of unanimity and harmony.
The shutter of our camera is a very precise mechanical device located in front of the sensor, which will control the time during which the light will reach it. 1/60 seconds. From this speed, we will check how our images are more static and manage to freeze the movement. By slow shutter speed we understand what is below 1/60 second. With this exposure time we will be able to capture the movement produced by the objects or subjects that appear in our shot.
“Of all the means of expression, photography is the only one that fixes the precise moment. We play with things that disappear and that, once disappeared, it is impossible to revive…… For us, what disappears, disappears forever and ever: hence our anguish and also the essential originality of our trade. "
-Cartier-Bresson.
To tell a story, you have to include certain elements in your photograph to ensure that it conveys a story. Today we are going to reveal the secrets of photographic storytelling:
A protagonist:
You need a protagonist element. It can be a person, an animal or an object. Humans in general attract the viewer's attention the most. The presence of people, directly or indirectly, is key in a story.
The character reflects clearly identifiable emotions (laughter, confusion, pleasure, fear etc.). It is not necessary to include people in the photo, sometimes just a human detail is enough. It is important to define your characters well. In the event that the person appears in the photograph, you should look well for your models and not leave details to chance.
A physical reference:
A place where the story takes place. For example, a city, a street or a house. This will help the viewer to recreate the story.A temporal reference: The photograph must have an explicit or implicit temporal context (year, time, etc.)
An emotional context:
Define well the emotion you want to convey with your photograph. In an image there can be several emotions but one emotion has to dominate.
