Guide for Creating Engaging Photographs
In the face of unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, photographers have been forced to adapt and find new avenues for creativity. Here are some key strategies that have emerged from recent insights and experiences shared by photographers:
1. **Focus on what’s close and available:** With travel restrictions and large gatherings limited, photographers have turned to still life, nature, and their immediate environments. Olivia Parker, a still life photographer, began exploring objects around her home and local areas during COVID-19, using natural light and everyday items to create meaningful compositions that go beyond surface beauty to express life and emotion.
2. **Document local and abandoned places:** Some photographers find inspiration in places that hint at history and change, such as abandoned buildings or natural landscapes threatened by environmental shifts. Capturing these scenes helps preserve moments in time and provide a narrative about community and loss, as photographer Scott Mortimore describes embracing a documentary imperative while exploring abandoned or vanishing places.
3. **Seek comfort and connection through nature:** During the pandemic, many found solace in nature, whether it was “touching grass” or snow. Photographing natural scenes can provide both a therapeutic outlet and striking visual subjects to explore, especially when human activity is limited.
4. **Leverage technology and new methods:** Some photographers, like Ryan Jacobs, used the pandemic pause to improve technology and find new ways to engage people with photography, such as delivering instant professional photos and helping job seekers with headshots. Additionally, experimentation with AI and digital tools is becoming a creative way to explore photography’s possibilities even when physical movement is limited.
5. **Be open to serendipity and evolving plans:** Growth in photographic vision often comes from being flexible and curious about what you encounter. Sometimes subjects become interesting because of changing light, unexpected interactions, or new perspectives discovered during outings, even close to home.
6. **Explore travel and lifestyle changes post-pandemic:** Photographers embracing #VanLife and mobile lifestyles report profound opportunities to capture unique landscapes and moments by combining travel and photography in immersive ways, allowing access to remote places and moments of “epicness” that feel personal and soulful.
In addition to these strategies, photographers also emphasise the importance of varied compositions, emotional impact, and the use of light to create interesting photos. The rule of thirds is not the only composition device, and overusing any composition device can lead to boredom. The ebook "Mastering Composition Book Three" explores these ideas in depth.
A successful photo project can offer participants something in return, such as prints or copies of the best photos. The best light for outdoor photography is often found at the beginning or end of the day (golden hours). The type of light that best complements a subject depends on the subject's characteristics. Achieving emotional impact in photos requires empathy with people and sympathy for places.
In conclusion, during and after the pandemic, interesting photographic subjects often come from turning attention closer to home, embracing nature, finding beauty in the everyday and the abandoned, using new technology creatively, and remaining open to evolving visions. These strategies not only help photographers adapt during crises but also enrich their work long term.
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- Drawing inspiration from home-and-garden settings, photographer Olivia Parker embraced everyday items and natural light to create emotionally resonant black and white compositions that go beyond surface beauty, highlighting life's elements in a poignant manner.
- To convey the evolving lifestyles of people during the pandemic, photographers have begun capturing images showcasing travel and alternate living arrangements, such as #VanLife, which emphasize personal connections and unique landscapes yet maintain a sense of soulfulness in the compositions.
