What’s Out There
What do you see? Sometimes, what you don’t see in an image says more than what’s there. This man is looking out over the water, shielding his eyes from the sun. Is he on a ship, a pier, or a balcony? What is he looking at . . . or for?What if it was you […]
Visual Metaphor
What do you see? A visual metaphor is an image that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. We use it in most types of visual media – from photography and video to print. Does this visual metaphor represent survival, death, or struggle? Perhaps it’sheroic – a spot of brave red in the dark? Whether […]
Faces
What do you see? Nothing speaks more directly than a human face. Youare mirrored in the emotions embedded in the image. Is this white-haired man happy? Pensive? Sad? Does his expression reflect what you feel at the moment or all the time? Where is he looking?Follow his gaze. The muted background forces you to wonder […]
Direction
What do you see? Do you have a great future or are you stuck?TheCanadian Goosereveals a direction.He’s on the lower left edge, head up, in endless waters. Branches in the upper leftimply he’smoving forward. The reflection of gray clouds indicates that troubles areleft behind. A photographer can compose an image to mirror his or her […]
Color
What do you see? Color rules. Research has found thatcolor preferences say a lot about who you are.Blue is calm and peaceful;green is the color of nature, refreshing and relaxing;yellow ishot, cheerful, and optimistic; and red is intense, exciting, and extreme. Black is the color of authority, power, aloofness, or evil. Perhaps that’s why it’s […]
Homeless Man
What do you see? Stories. That’s what we’re all about. Stories open your mind and imagination, uncovering a world of possibilities.Photos with stories bring you to a different place. Questions pop up. Who is this man? Why is he homeless? What does his sign have to do with the billion dollar professional footballindustry in the […]
Puffball
What do you see? When was the last time you saw something extraordinary in the ordinary? Mindfulnessis about nurturing awareness in the moment, seeing rather than looking. You’re freed to find peace and joy in things that are usually shadowed by noise and clutter.Photos may uncover the commonplace, like a dandelion weed. Notice the delicate […]
Pier to Nowhere
What do you see? The photo is impossible – yet it looks so real.It’s called surreal photography, where the image goes beyond what is physically possible. Reality is transformed into something that’s bizarre, disorienting,and perhaps dreamlike, introducing new possibilities. Theabove pier can’t possibly exist. What does it mean? How does it make you feel? Is […]
Snow Puddle
What do you see? It’s a photograph.Why does it look so unreal? Some call it abstract photography; others, abstracted reality. The camera transforms real images into patterns, shapes, colors, and designs. Like an abstract painting, you assign meaning.Most will try to guess what they see. Let imagination take hold – what do YOU see? Is […]
Santa Monica Pier
What do you see? Welcome to the Santa Monica Pier at night – beautiful and mysterious.This photo uses the “rule of thirds” to capture your attention. Here’s how it works. Imagine a grid placed over the image – 3 boxes across, 3 boxes down. When the Ferris wheel is left it flows smoothly, like reading […]