Warmth. Symmetry. Color.

I'd really like to thank all the people who read my blog. Or those who just look at the pictures! There's no shame in that. Both are mine and are equally important to me: text and image. I'd like to use this post to explain just exactly what I personally look for in a photograph, and the types of images I have a tendency to create because of my preferences. The picture above is not my favorite photograph that I have ever taken, but it embodies quite well almost all of the aspects about a photo I most enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I love many types of photography just as I love many types of writing styles. I like portraiture, botanical photography, still lifes, photojournalistic photography, and many other categories. Within even these branches of photography there are a myriad of different directions a photographer can take his image (whether film or digital). Out of my own work, though, some specific traits carry over from photograph to photograph, subtly binding all my work together and to me no matter the subject or even the category. In color, digital photography, the first thing I do before I even look at the minute details of the piece is warm it up. Sometimes the warming is heavy handed and other times its barely noticeable at all, but I, personally, cannot stand a cold photograph. This is not to say that such photographic preferences are wholly incorrect because cooling a photo often works well for the subject or what the photographer is trying to say. I, however, cannot bring myself to produce a cold image. You'll see throughout all my color, digital photography (including, obviously, the one featured here) a common trait of warmth.

Often, a scene will call for the use of "thirds" by the photographer to create a nice looking image. The "Rule of Thirds" is commonly used through almost all photography because of its natural appeal to the eye. It helps balance the photograph. Another way, however, to create this balance is the use of symmetry. I love symmetry. Symmetry is also often used within the bounds of the Rule of Thirds like it is used above. Symmetry, paired with the Thirds, is another one of my favorite aspects about some of my images. I do not always use symmetry as it is not often called for by a scene. But when its use is acceptable, I jump at the chance. This photograph is one of my favorite uses of symmetry and the Rule of Thirds together. As you can see, the bench is centered within the frame. But, also, all the important sections of color on the bench are located atop the "Thirds" points on the photograph.

Lastly, in a color, digital photograph, I aim for deep blacks and rich color. Simply amping up the contrast and supersaturating the colors achieves an entirely different (and, in my opinion, an entirely sub-par) appearance. I drop the blacks by themselves, if, course, they, need to be dropped. If that makes the photo too dark I will then adjust the brightness. Color, on the other hand, is a bit trickier. Color can be brought about to my preferences in a few different ways that I wouldn't be very good at explaining. My goal is to retain the identity of the original color and simply bring it out in full force. Saturating an entire image does not do this but warps hues and the overall feel of the image.

So to make a list, my favorite aspects about my images that I look for (and you will too, now) are: warmth, balance using symmetry with RoT's, rich color, and deep blacks. So now you know, during and after I press that little silver button, a few of things going through my head. Thank you to all the people who read this. And to all those who skim. And those who like the pictures. And even those who quickly exit after seeing the long paragraphs because you make my page counter go up too.