NEWSLETTER: on creating contrast to lead the viewer’s eye
sent by Scott Kranz |
📸 Photography Tip
When composing an image, it's helpful to ask yourself what specifically will draw the viewer's eye. Perceptual studies show that our eyes are attracted to change (variability) within the frame. That means the area with the greatest contrast in light or color, for instance, will often be where the viewer's eye lands (and possibly stays) within your photograph. This need not be a matter of luck, though. You can take steps to make your selected subject the area of greatest contrast. For example, when your subject is well lit, move around (side to side, up and down) until you find a shaded backdrop to place behind the subject. Conversely, if your subject is cast in shadow, create a silhouette by placing the subject in front of a well-lit area or highlighted sky. By actively creating contrast and visual weight in this way, you're ensuring the viewer will see and engage with your imagery in the exact way you want them to!
✍️ Quote of the Week
“Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.”
Steven Pressfield's classic The War of Art is the source of this quote and a worthy read to help you reach your creative potential. Whether you're a photographer, an entrepreneur, an artist, a scientist, or someone seeking to overcome resistance and its obstacles, curl up by your fireplace while you still can and chart your own creative journey!
Until next time,
Scott
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scott Kranz is a full-time outdoor photographer and filmmaker based in Seattle. Born and raised in Minnesota, Scott moved to Washington State in 2013 and first explored the Cascade Range, which sparked a lifelong love of outdoor adventure and photography. Since, he’s come to partner with some of the world’s leading brands and shot on all seven continents.