Tour Guide for the Eyes

Photography is so much more than gear. More than technical mastery of your camera and the rest of the gear. Although the internet might disagree…there are approximately 6.2 million 'photography gear review sites'. And I'll admit, I've perused my share. I used to get really caught up in what kind of camera was "best" what lenses I "should" have. 

 What I have learned (oh I am so wise) is that gear plays a role. It does. But the MOST important role is what the heck YOU DO with the gear. Right?

So let's assume we're good with the gear argument - it’s not the most important factor. Now what? Well, when we compose a photograph…yes we don't just randomly snap, we actually have a thoughtful prelude before making a photo. What do I want this photo to look like? Where do I want the eye to go? What is the hero of the shot? If you're saying "how the heck do I know??", stay with me. This will make sense, I promise.

Bordeaux, France

When we look at a scene, usually there is something special that made us think "wow I need to make a photo of THAT!" If we are looking at a mountain range, is it the shape of the peaks? The color of the sky? The path leading up the mountain? IF we are looking at a French market (you knew I had to go there, didn't you) is it the bustle of the people on the street? The vendor selling tomatoes? Or the lady picking out just the right vegetables? 

If we pause just a moment to think about what we are creating, then we can thoughtfully plan the outcome. Let's go with the market example. There can be a couple of different options. I really want to show the bustle of the scene. So I pick a center point and a wide angle, with an aperture of f18 or f20 that will result in the whole scene being sharply focused. BUT I might concentrate on something specific, like a vendor in the foreground. THEN when I look at the photo later, my eye starts at the vendor, and then goes through the scene taking in all the bustle.

On the other hand if I really want to focus on the lady picking out her vegetables, I might focus on her (with a shallow depth of field, or low aperture number like f-4), with the rest of the market in the background to give context. THEN my eye will go right to her and maybe sit there a while, understanding she is the hero, before moving on to take in the market she is shopping in.

One of the many lovely markets in Toulouse, France

By thinking about it a little in advance, we avoid the "what was I even taking a picture of here" thoughts when we view our photos later. Trust me, I've had a lot of those thoughts. And doing a little composition planning also helps us in regards to story telling. We can plan the first photo to tell about the bustle, the overall scene; and the next photo is to really focus on the vendor or even the gorgeous vegetables. Together they tell the market story. NOW you HAVE to be with me…right?

So in essence, by planning our composition ahead of time, we are telling the eyes where we want them to travel through our photograph. Come here eyes, start at this lady picking out her tomatoes. Now move here, taking in all the beautiful produce. And end here at the top of the frame where the beautiful architecture and trees frame the market. See…we become a tour guide for the eyes.

If this is still a little confusing, here's something that can help. GET OUT YOUR CAMERA AND PRACTICE! Composition is something we might have to think about at first, but after we've done it a few (hundred) times then it becomes completely natural. I won't say trust me again, I think you already know to do that.

Street vendor in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City