Northern Gannets SPOONING (fencing = pair bonding), Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F18 1/200s Manual. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.
F is for FABULOUS!
I’ve been asked countless times if there is a formula to creating a great image. I’ve spent countless hours scrutinizing my favorite images to try to describe to myself why I connect with them so deeply and make such an emotional response to them. I’m far from finished, but here’s my first attempt at describing a system that may help you; it’s how I create images – in a subconscious way. It’s what makes images a success to me, and to the viewer. Keep in mind that this is a working copy, and I might elaborate more in a longer post in the future.
You have to start by understanding my three Fs of FABULOUS: Fill, Form and Feeling. Every image out there contains at least one of these three ingredients; a photojournalist’s images contain more FILL and FEELING, a fine art or abstract photographer tends to feature the FORM and greeting card photographers often capture FEELING.
Here’s the key: Your most successful images will generally contain a careful balance of all three; Fill, FORM and FEELING. The Northern Gannet image above is a very careful balance of Fill (it’s about the Northern Gannets), Form (the composition, pose and lines) and Feeling (most images with two subjects evoke some sort of emotion or feeling).
Save 25% on your Season pass to Point Pelee National Park of Canada
Buy or renew your annual pass to Point Pelee National Park of Canada and save 25%. From February 1, until March 31, 2011, take advantage of this great offer to start your preparations for this year's spring migration. Simply call (519) 322-2365, extension 200 from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. I always recommend the Family (or group) pass, as this let's you enter through the automated gate and skip the sometimes lengthy line-ups each morning.
