The Elements of Effective Photographs

Join Pulitzer-finalist photographer Natalie Fobes as she takes you in the studio and on location to explore the elements that comprise an effective photo.

Introduction

• Learn how to create effective photographs
• What makes an effective photograph?

1. The Essentials of Composition

• The rule of thirds
• Create movement and interest
• Foreground, background, and in between
• Depth of field as a composing tool
• Depth of field and bokeh
• Create bokeh with Photoshop blur filters
• Using generative AI to enhance composition

2. The Role of Color

• Sunrise and sunset: The Kelvin scale
• White balance: Beyond natural light
• White balance in camera
• Use color according to color theory
• White balance in post
• Black and white
• Converting from color to black and white
• Colorizing photos with Photoshop's Colorize neural filter

3. Light and Lighting

• The message of light
• One-light setup
• Two-light setup
• See and enhance natural light
• Change and replicate natural light
• Manipulating light in post

4. Motion

• The role of motion in photography
• Camera settings to freeze or blur motion
• Techniques for panning
• Other ways to create motion
• Creating motion in photoshop

5. The Decisive Moment

• Peak action
• Capture the decisive moment

Conclusion

• The importance of research
• Plan for your shoot
• Goodbye