What Makes a Great Photo?

1  Travelpix  Ltd/Ge1y  Images  

Abundant Natural Light Lots of natural light gives a photo life. In the photo on the left, it illuminates the subject and highlights details, giving the image an overall freshness. With the photo on the right, the flash is artificial and unflattering. The lighting is also uneven, which can happen if the flash isn’t very powerful and other proper lighting equipment isn’t used.

2  

Joebeone/Flickr  Lilli  Day/Ge1y  Images  

Bright, Exciting Colors These photos have similar compositions, but we are drawn to the photo on the left because of the punchy color palette and color contrasts. Sometimes it may be more appropriate to have a muted color palette, so this suggestion can be used on a case-by-case basis.

3  

Eternity  in  an  Instant/Ge1y  Images  Howard  Kingsnorth/Ge1y  Images  

A Vanishing Point Our eyes immediately jump to the photo on the left because the vanishing point* pulls us in. While the photo on the right is nice, it does not have the same dramatic effect.

*Vanishing  point:  The  point  at  which  parallel  lines  receding  from  an  observer  seem  to  converge  4  

JB  Lon

don/Flickr  

Felibrilu/Flickr  

A New Take on Perspective The photo on the left is eye-catching because the change in perspective is unexpected and refreshing. The photo on the right is not bad, but it is not as interesting because it is more traditional and predictable.

5  

Travelpix  Ltd/Ge1y  Images  

 Hiroshi  Higuchi/Ge1y  Images  

Natural Body Language The photo on the right feels forced and contrived. The poses are a bit stiff and the harsh lighting makes you aware that this photo was taken in a studio. The photo on the left has a much more candid and natural feel. It is a genuine moment of engagement and collaboration. Sometimes a posed photo is more appropriate, but using photos that look like stock photography could turn readers off.

6  

Cultura/Frank  and  Helena/Ge1y  Images   Westend61/Ge1y  Images  

Modernity Photos should reflect the time period being written about. Sometimes clothing or the treatment of a photograph can make an image look dated, like the photo on the right. An older looking photo can distract readers if it is irrelevant to the article. If writing about this decade, it is best to keep photos fresh and modern like the image on the left.

7  

Cavan  Images/Ge1y  Images   Comstock/Ge1y  Images