Using Emphasis to take Engaging Photographs

To relay a clear message through a photograph, the intent of the image must be strong. In order to ensure this, emphasizing the subject well is vital, because it allows viewers to focus on the important aspects of an image that progress the narrative, and not get distracted by irrelevant visual elements. Following techniques that allow for emphasis will make sure the storytelling capabilities of a photograph are fully utilized.

Definitions

“Emphasis draws viewers into your image and holds them there long enough to tell your story. It adds visual weight to your main subject and tells viewers what to focus on.” (www.adobe.com)

Examples of Emphasis in Photography

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01

  • Various displays of emphasis present in order to draw focus to the subject
    • Bird’s white feathers and orange beak contrast with dark brown background
    • Subject is centered in the frame
    • Shallow depth of field is used to isolate the subject
  • Emphasis would still be present if some of these elements were missing, but the combination conveys a specific message
    • Stark contrast gives invokes a dramatic tone

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  • Lighting contrast between the subject and the background allows for distinct emphasis
    • Shadows of the underside of the plane against the highlights of the sky
  • Different emphasis is portrayed depending on how the image is cropped
    • Tighter crops may emphasize certain aspects of the plane or imply it is large
    • Wider crops may emphasize the emptiness of the plane’s surrounding or imply it is small
    • Cropped so that the plane is on the bottom of the image may emphasize where the plane is headed

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  • Shallow depth of field emphasizes the subject by blurring the foreground and background
  • Color contrast between the brown mushroom and the green surroundings also provides emphasis
  • Using the rule of thirds to place the mushroom off-center draws focus to the subject
  • The sprouts that border the mushroom frame it as the subject and provide further emphasis

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  • Variance in the shape and texture of the starfish from the surrounding smooth round rocks emphasize it as the subject of the image
    • Starfish is uniquely shaped and has a bumpy visual texture
  • Lighter color of the starfish also allows for contrast with the background rocks that are generally darker

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  • Despite the many visual components in this photo, the subject is clearly emphasized
  • Backlighting of the subject creates a distinct silhouette that separates the child and bike from the background
    • Street and sky are illuminated by the sun to provide this contrast for the silhouette
  • If the subject was lit directly instead of backlit, there were not be as much emphasis due to a lack of lighting contrast