FOCUS THE VIEWER'S ATTENTION ON THE SUBJECT

PHOTO-TIP - FOCUS THE VIEWER'S ATTENTION ON THE SUBJECT - The photograph I'm using to illustrate this article is certainly not one of my favorites. However, for all of its shortcomings, it, in many ways, is an ideal example of how to isolate and emphasize the main subject of the photo. There are several means you can use to emphasize the subject. One method is to keep the background simple. Notice how the unobtrusive background of this photo allows the blossoming plant to stand out. It's also often useful to fill your frame with the subject. This image fills the frame with the subject and, at the same time, does so while providing a strong diagonal that further draws in the viewer's attention. Bear in mind though, that rules are made to be broken. Sometimes a distant object can be utilized effectively as the photo's main subject. Sand and sky with a man riding a camel across the distant horizon can emphasize the rider even though the camel and rider fill only a very small area of the image. Shallow depth of field is a tool often used to isolate the subject. Again, this image provides a subject in focus and a soft, out of focus, background. This image also effectively uses color to cause the subject to stand out from the background. There is one last point I want to make. Placing your subject in compliance with the rule of thirds, is usually an effective means of presentation. LARRY ELKINS - ELKINSPHOTOS FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY