Detail Photography - How to Capture the Vibe When you Can’t Fit it All In
They say that Light is what photography is all about. And yea, truthfully - photography is essentially capturing light and what it’s hitting.
But another really important part of photography that’s often under-discussed, is RESTRICTION.
Whether you’re restricted by the limits of your equipment, the space you have available, the angle you’re photographing from, the backdrop size, other things intruding in the image, or - lighting.
Today I wanted to touch on physical limitations, and how to still capture the vibe of what you’re photographing even when you can’t fit in every part of the scene.
A huge part of photography, is creative thinking. Whether it’s thinking creatively about the curation of what’s going to be in an image, or - especially when you’re just starting out - learning to see the world in a creative way.
But often what we see in real life, is either A, not quite what we want to capture, or B, not able to be captured as we see it.
So that’s when we need to get creative in what we capture.
THIS GORGEOUS CHEVY FROM THE NOVEMBER 2022 BEACH HOP, COMING THROUGH THAMES, NEW ZEALAND. THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE AND SHOP FRONTS THAT REALLY DETRACTED FROM THE BEAUTY OF THIS OLD GIRL, AND I JUST WANTED TO FOCUS IN ON HER. BUT YOU CAN STILL TELL THE STORY. THERE’S STILL PEOPLE IN THE BACKGROUND, AND CLEARLY IT’S BEEN RAINING. THE TEXTURE FROM THE RAIN ON THIS STUNNING RED WAS ACTUALLY THE THING THAT ‘MADE’ THE IMAGE FOR ME, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST HAD I TRIED TO CAPTURE THE WHOLE CAR / STREET.
YOU DON’T NEED TO SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE TO TELL THE WHOLE STORY.
Without going into macro photography, stepping into a shot instead of stepping back, can often result in some far more interesting storytelling. Can you capture rain drops on the leaves? Can you capture the texture of the lace on the wedding dress? Can you capture the small details that someone would have spent hours fastidiously perfecting?
If you’re a wedding photographer (or second shooting) - think about capturing name cards on the tables. Interesting nibbles or drinks before everyone eats. A close up of the bouquet to capture the texture of the flowers. The way the groom holds the brides hand while they’re saying their vows. The little faces playing peek-a-boo with you trying to figure out what the big camera is and who you are.
If you’re a brand photographer - is your client wearing a certain label that their ideal client would connect with? Do they have plants on their desk? What books are in their bookshelf? So often it’s the small details that make you connect with someone. In fact, a huge part of marketing is find out what connects you to your ideal client - do you read the same magazines? Are you both into self help books? Or business literature?
If you’re a street photographer - consider zooming in a little to cut out extra distractions like other people. Look for interesting texture or shadows on walls. What about plants growing out of the ‘concrete jungle’?
If you’re a newborn photographer - those little feet. Tiny fingers. Button noses… need I say more??
DON’T GET DEFEATED IF YOU CAN’T GET THE EXACT SHOT YOU WANT - a bit of creativity might produce an even better image.
THE LARGER PICTURE OF THIS WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE BECAUSE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF WHERE I WAS ABLE TO POSITION MYSELF TO GET THE SHOT. BUT I CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL THAT THIS IS AN EVEN MORE POWERFUL SHOT - ESPECIALLY IF YOU USED IT AS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SOMEONE BEING THE TARGET. I GOT A TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY THAN IF I’D CAPTURED THE “WHOLE” SCENE.
CLOSE UP OR MEDIUM CLOSE UP SHOTS CAN OFTEN BE USED TO TELL AN EVEN RICHER STORY - OR ALLOW THE VIEWER TO ADD IN THEIR OWN INTERPRETATION
The really interesting thing about art, photography and videography as a creative expression, is the ability to leave some things to the imagination or interpretation of the viewer.
Consider horror films where you see the character screaming on screen, blood splattering accross them, and a chainsaw sound in the background - your brain will fill in the blanks of the action that’s happening in front of them, but off screen to us.
And if a book gave you the ending first, you wouldn’t bother reading the first part.
Consider that with your photography too - what do you want your audience to question? Do you want to give them all the answers or make them sit and question the image?
I lOVE THIS IMAGE. IT WAS PART OF MY “RED AND THE WOLF” SERIES TEST SHOOT - AND WE HAPPENED TO FIND THIS MUSHROOM. THE CONCEPT FOR THE SHOOT ALSO INCLUDED OTHER STORY BOOK CONCEPTS LIKE ALICE IN WONDERLAND, SO THIS MUSHROOM (TOADSTOOL?) SHOT WAS JUST A LUCKY FIND. BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT WHILE I SEE IT AS “FANTASY/STORYBOOK” BASED - OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID IT’S ALMOST CREEPY AND EERIE.
So before you write off a scene you’d like to capture, consider stepping in and getting “micro story” shots. It helps develop your story telling ability while still working on your camera skills and could lead to other opportunities. Don’t be afraid to adjust your course if restrictions box you in a little.
