Anatomy of a Great Photo: From Cameras to Composition

Some might think it's easy to click the shutter and take a good photo—but that couldn't be further from the truth. Great photographs are actually the result of hard work and technique. It is more than just pressing a button—it's about knowing what makes a great photograph and making the most of your tool of choice.

Photography is a skill that requires patience, persistence, and practice before you can expect results that are worthy of a grand audience. Famous photographers like Slim Aarons are motivated by curiosity over their subjects and are able to take great photos due to years of training to effectively communicate ideas, feelings, and concepts through their images. Following their footsteps requires an in-depth understanding of how lighting, composition, and focus work. To this end, this article will walk you through the anatomy of a great photograph.

1. Light
Lighting can make or break your photo, and harnessing its potential is perhaps the most critical skill a photographer can have. It's what brings life to a photo and gives it ambiance. For example, if you want to convey a warm feeling in your image, you can use natural sunlight on your subject's face and body. This will give them an almost ethereal glow and make them look like they're radiating warmth. You can also set the stage through artificial light, such as Mountdog's Softbox Lighting Kit. Light can set the tone and mood of a photograph, so it's essential to know how different types of light affect how your subject looks.

2. Subject
The subject is the most important part of your picture. It should be clear, recognizable, and interesting enough to keep your audience's attention. A good example is our commercial shoot with Champaign-Urbana's MTD—the bus is the clear focal point of the photo. The eyes of the viewers are drawn to the details of the buses, and the surrounding activities around them are only secondary. Like the previously mentioned photoset, your subject could be anything—a person, an animal, or an object. Whatever it is, it should be attractive enough to draw people in and make them want to observe the photo longer.

3. Composition
In his classic book, Photographer's Eye, Michael Freeman identifies compelling composition as one of the most critical skills in making photographs. Composition is the art of arranging elements within a photo to be aesthetically pleasing while telling a story. A composition principle you should master is the rule of thirds, which instructs photographers to divide their shots into nine equal parts, then place the focal point between those squares, whether at the left, right, or center. Another composition principle is leading lines, which guide your viewer's eyes to your subject.

4. Tools
The right tools are crucial to taking a great photo. A versatile camera with a wide range of settings can help you capture anything from the sunset over the mountains to your pet's adorable face. Fujifilm's X-T5 Mirrorless Camera, with its 40-megapixel resolution, delivers stunning results. Its image stabilization system and three-way tilting LCD allow even the most experienced photographers to provide the best photos to their clients. On the other hand, Nikon's FM2 is a favorite among film photographers, with its focal plane shutter and durable camera body. Whatever your tool of choice is, it should be easy to use and make taking photos feel natural.

Great photos are made, not found. The anatomy of a great photo is more than just composition and camera settings—it's about understanding the idea behind the image and using that to engage your viewer's mind.

Article written by Irene Boyd

Exclusively for  Holly Birch Photography