Hi everyone! I wanted to share some useful photography information towards the more conceptual based photography style that is starting to be showcased within today’s society. Conceptual Photography is staged to represent an idea, and the ‘concept’ is both preconceived and understandable within the completed image. This particular style is most often seen in advertising and illustration based artwork.
These 7 Key Elements towards the conceptual idea of photography are great thoughts and ideas to keep in mind when pursuing a photo shoot with a certain concept based direction.
1.Color
Give your images that look and definition with sparks of color. Photoshop and Lightroom are great resources that can help bring out a wide variety of colors, and can also help you manipulate your images as well.
2.Texture
Texture’s helps give your images a dimensional look that helps add to the overall story, and provides a real life feel of the story being told. That additive towards a great visual feel helps draw a viewers eye into your imagery, and also gives the appeal of being there on a more personal level.
3.Framing
This element is key on how your viewers see and understand your images concept. So seeing it clearly in your mind before the actual shooting process is a great step in understanding what the finished product would look like.
4.Poses
Try and understand this element very well. Do your research and giver yourself a good understanding on what particular gestures and possibly features are represented to your ideal audience. You want to make the viewer think, but not to the point of over-thinking your artwork.
Poses can be associated with emotions as well, so be careful on how you would want them to be portrayed. If you are not sure on where to start on posing your model, then you are welcome to glance over my blog post on 15 Simple Ideas towards Posing Your Clients for a good understanding on posing and setting up your model.
5.Props / Models
These are elements that help lead your viewers eye to your artwork, and helps them understand what your theme might be for the overall concept. Using large props are exciting for viewers, and can help catch their eye from other fellow artwork pieces.
A wide assortment of conceptual based photography is based just upon prop images to send out a story all in itself. So being aware of what what your overall idea is before shooting your images is a great way to understand what you want your viewers to see when trying to understand your artwork.
6.Outfits / Wardrobe
Outfits are a big part of the story as well, and can be understood in different ways. So keep in mind what your model or subject is wearing. You do not need anything expensive, but just make sure it fits the theme of the overall story. The color of the outfit or wardrobe can also send out a variety of different emotions or feelings to your audience, so make sure that if you are wanting a certain feel then try and pair your theme with that particular color.
7.Overall Story
This element is EVERYTHING! Making sure your overall vision is understood across the entire series – from development, the photo shoot, and all the way to post processing to make sure your message is being conveyed powerfully. The story is your inspiration towards the overall concept, so make sure that all of your efforts and hard work are put to the full expectation.
Thank you for reading this weeks blog post, and I hope that these 7 key elements are helpful towards telling your story though your inspired journey on the conceptual based photography path.
If you have any comments or feedback, please do not hesitate to each out to me.
