Impact - the 1st element

Impact is the feeling that an image gives you as soon as you see it. That impact can be a simple calm that comes over you as you view a serene image. It can be a WOW that makes you take a longer look. Any emotion evoked by an image is a result of it's impact.

The 2 images above have a completely different type of impact on the viewer.

"Ariel" the photograph by Jessica Vogel of a High School Senior makes you go WOW! The pose, lighting, clothing, expression, everything about this images gives it impact. That impact was why this image won several awards and was selected for the PPA Loan Collection.

"Winter in the Bluegrass" by Dave Huntsman gives you the sense of cold, isolation, beauty and peace. Major impact but so very different from the senior portrait. This image won Best of Show in KY and won the Kodak Gallery Elite Award in 2005.

The initial impact is what makes us take a second or longer look at an image but an image also must maintain that impact. How many times have you seen the judges immediately lean forward or get up to look at image only to have it score very poorly. The image had something that made the judges excited but most likely the image didn't have lasting impact due to a problem of some sort.

Creativity - the 2nd element

In todays world where we are overloaded with imagery it is hard to standout. Being creative, to me, means looking at an ordinary subject and finding an unordinary way to portray it.

Whether photographing people, places or things to make your images jump out and say look at me you've got to show the judges something they haven't seen. Jumping on the band wagon of what's been done might get you a merit but showing the judges something unique and well done might get you in the loan collection.

Do what you do and then try something else just for the fun of it.

And remember the 12 elements don't apply just to competition. If you apply the elements to all of your work you'll find yourself standing out and you'll be recognized for your photography.

Above are a couple of examples of finding unusual way to capture or present a subject.

12 Elements of a Merit Print

The Twelve elements have been defined as necessary for the success of an art piece or image. Any image, art piece, or photograph will reveal some measure of all twelve elements, while a visually superior example will reveal obvious consideration of each one.

The Twelve elements listed below are in accordance to their importance.

Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. There can be impact in any of these twelve elements.

Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.

Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Retouching, manipulation, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print.

Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker.

Lighting—the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is manmade or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.

Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds.

Print Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.

Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.

Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.

Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.

Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image.

Story Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.

12 elements info courtesy of the Professional Photographers of America

Over the next few days we'll post tips and tricks to improve your photography and raise your print scores.

Welcome to Veiws from the X-treme

Jess and I have been teaching together for about a year and half. We're so excited that we'll be speaking at Imaging USA in Phoenix, Jan. 11th.

The one thing that we aren't about is fluff! We're about sharing useful information that you can take home and put to work RIGHT NOW!!!

Our goal for the blog will be to expand on our teachings, philosophies and products as well as offer some freebies from time to time for you to download.

We look forward to starting a dialogue with you on the topics of Photography, Posing, Lighting, Business, Marketing, Branding, Photoshop and even a little Dreamweaver as I'm trying to become a web guy.