There’s something a director like Almodóvar, the painter Van Gogh, the composer Beethoven and you have in common. Yes, you do. You in particular read this. Towards the end of this article, you’ll understand what I mean.
So far, we have devoted many articles to discussing how to improve the quality of a photograph, be it through light, sharpness, composition, different lenses, and many other ways. However, all these “resources” remain tasteless and tasteless if you don’t use them to convey something. And no, lenses, camera, light, sharpness and all the technology you know is not there to take pictures. They exist to create ideas, convey messages, provoke feelings. The photo is only the medium. The goal is to sow emotion.
- Here are some methods with which to get that emotional impact on anyone who looks at your photos.
- These are just ideas and examples to inspire you.
- You’ll see that it’s extremely easy.
- It’s free and the impact you’ll get in return is huge.
Lines can be very important in an image, because they not only direct the gaze, guide the viewer, but depending on the type of line, they will transmit different sensations.
The lines can help you sort the image, but also to spoil it, that is, if you want to cause a feeling of chaos in the viewer, try mixing different types of lines, I do not know you, but the following image causes me a lot of discomfort and worry?This is not a mistake, it is surely the emotional impact that the photographer has decided to convey. I guess.
Color is one of the most studied aspects of this topic. You’ve probably heard thousands of times how colors influence our mood. Is it used by publicists, decorators, fashion designers? You probably tend to dress one color or another according to your style. Well, you can also use them in photography to create some impact. In a very short way, we will see how you can influence each of the following colors:
Note that a color can have a different effect depending on the other color it combines with, for example, if we combine a color with black, its positive meaning becomes an opposite meaning.
A rigid angle (top to bottom) decreases the person represented, let’s say metaphorically speaking, crushes it; the counter-bite, from the bottom up, produces the opposite effect, exalts the person he represents. Look at these two examples:
The way you frame or compose can also change the effect, an example is the law of the gaze, the subject is left more space where the gaze is directed or directed, if you break this rule, you can cause just the opposite effect. you put a theme in a corner with all the rest of the image empty, the feeling of loneliness will be overwhelming.
The following two images convey two very different sensations thanks to the lighting: the soft and warm light of the first, reinforces the positive feelings and joy of the young woman, while the darkness of the second, this light endures on the girl, reinforces the feeling of melancholy and loneliness.
High- and low-profile lighting also has a different emotional impact. Here’s an article by Mario where he explains how.
A wide angle will cause a distance over a nearby object or person, and convey a sense of grandeur. A telephoto lens, on the other hand, brings us closer to a distant object, brings us closer and also emphasizes the character of a situation (be sure to read this excellent article on goals).
In my (humble) opinion, this is the most important element, I think an image will have a greater emotional impact if there is a human element in it, mainly because it can make us feel identified and empathized with that person. The subject is shown in the image and the combination of all the elements around him will be crucial to determine the type of emotion he will provoke in the viewer.
The type of protagonist will also have a lot to do with it, is it a child, a young person or an old man? Each age transmits a series of sensations, from innocence and tenderness to experience and loneliness.
It doesn’t have to be a dramatic situation, like a photograph of a conflict or a marginal situation, we’ve seen before some elements that can help us reinforce the impact we want to create, now we just have to practice to combine them.
I left this section for the end because it is not a technical aspect, it is something personal but that irretrievably influences what you will transmit in your photograph. No matter how hard we try to be objective, our mental state influences our relationships with others, the way we deal with each challenge, every little task. If you are sad, no wonder you strive to cheer yourself up, what you perceive and draw your attention will surely be related to sadness and your photos will end up loaded with melancholy, drama, loneliness or loneliness. any other related emotions. So, if you’re having a sad day, then don’t photograph something that makes the viewer smile from ear to ear. If successful?My sincere CONGRATULATIONS! In this case, you’re more than a professional and I’m the one who wants you to tell him how you did it.
Think of your favorite film, your favorite song or piece of music, this painting that brightens your mornings, since you define yourself as a photographer (professional, amateur, whatever), deep down you are a professional of emotion, like any director, painter or composer of music, if you are a photographer you are a sorcerer of feelings, story maker and silencer of psychology , you may not know it, but at least you have that power. you support, you create an emotion that will infect one, a hundred or thousands of people, who will see your photos.
Enjoy exciting. Thanks for reading so far. If you liked this reading, share it with others.