What Makes An Image Work (Part 2)

In Photographically Speaking, Resources, The Craft, The Life Creative, Thoughts & Theory, Tutorials &Technique by David13 Comments


Last Sunday I posted a photograph on the blog, and in The Contact Sheet email, inviting you to consider how I made one of my photographs. The exercise was a simple one, and I know some of you have seen it before but you can still learn from it. Look at the image and ask yourself what decisions I made to get the final photograph. What lens might I have used, what point of view, what settings, even what changes I might have made in development. I promised I’d walk you through it from my perspective and the video below does that. This video is also episode 1 from my ImageWork course which opens again for purchase/enrollment this Sunday.


I’ve had some really great feedback from many of you about the videos I’ve been putting out lately and if you liked them I think you’re going to love this series.

This coming Sunday (assuming you’re a subscriber to my emails) I’ll send you more details about the remaining 17 video lessons that make up the ImageWork course and introduce you to the bonus resources. This is the best valued course I’ve made to date, and I think probably the best-reviewed. I hope you’ll give it your consideration when I show you all the details this Sunday.

Oh! One last thing – I promised I’d draw a random winner from those who participated in the discussion about the image on the last post. The prize is a full enrollment in ImageWork (and ImageStory, too, but more on that later) and that winner is Steve Carey. I’ll be reaching out to enroll Steve in the both ImageWork and ImageStory on Sunday. 

Questions? I’d love to hear from you.

For the Love of the Photograph,
David

Comments

  1. Hi David.
    You are a courageous realist who deserves our support. What a tough journey you’ve travelled, I have never sensed anything but a positive approach to life coming through in your articles and books. I have always considered you a wonderfully creative and genuine person which comes through in the courses and publications I’ve purchased. I’m from Australia and will visit Vancouver Island with some of my family for a few days after 20 July so I’ll be thinking of you. My wife and I are heading to a Northern Passage cruise, crossing our fingers to see some Polar bears.
    Stay strong Brother, we’ll be praying for your successful operation and recovery. I know you’ll give it everything within your power over the coming months to be completely mobile again. God Bless, Brian

  2. Amputation! A frightening word for sure. I had no idea that the fall 12 years ago had been so debilitating. I can’t imagine how difficult it has been for you to live through the years of physical and emotional pain and limitations while continuing through your books and writings to help others like myself learn more about and improve their photography. I have “taken pictures” most of my life but around 2006 I became more seriously interested in photography. Discovery of your informative style of writing in “Within the Frame” and “Vision and Voice” along with your continued “Craft and Vision” writings have been major sources of inspiration and learning for me. And, now, at 89 years old and struggling to continue my photography I’m inspired by your determination to overcome this obstacle and continue to do what you love ; make creative photographs and help others to learn how to do the same. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

  3. Regarding your amputation. I am new to writing but willing to learn. I have not subscribed to what you sell but peek to read because your writing is beautiful. I used to photograph wedding as a hobby but not anymore. I always had a real job, no pun intended because security was always very important to me. I have been retired for 16 years and after photography I did watercolor painting for 8 years and now taking guitar lessons and voice lessons. Though I don’t do photography, I took all that experience with me that help in my watercolor painting and I appreciate the outdoors of colors, the lighting and the natural composition that nature has to offer. My friend, you are a champion, and you will go fighting to the end. ( Queen ) Your fan.
    Desi Vega

  4. David, This comment has to do with your recent surgery. I hope you’ll see it and be somewhat encouraged. You have been my photographic hero since the first 5day deal where you published some encouraging books that I got to read. I’ve followed you off and on through the years because I have always enjoyed the personal way you communicate. It is like you are talking to me, and I appreciate that a lot. You have not shared your personal religious preference and that is fine because it is personal. I, however, will tell you that I am a Born Again, Spirit filled Christian who believes whole heartedly in the power of prayer. You will be added to my prayer list because I know that God answers prayer. It will be my personal pleasure to pray for you everyday . My prayer will be that God will speed your healing, that He there will be no more pain and that you will soon be back to doing what you love doing, photographically. Thank you for sharing – Larry Cross. My wife and I have joined together in this prayer.

  5. Merci. Je l’avais vu 1uqnd j’avais acheté cette formation, mais j’en ai compris toute la profondeur avec ce nouveau visionnement.
    Expérience qui commence à se faire sentir.

    1. A really fabulous video chock full of helpful information and a way to further develop our creative choices! Thank you so much!

  6. The idea of “ why” you make these choices versus all of the other videos online of “ how “ to take images, or “how “ to move sliders is not discussed much or only in passing .

    It is as if a good friend over a nice chat one who is much more knowledgeable and artistic than you lets you into their thought process of why they do what they do. Brilliant series .

  7. I loved that last quote, ‘This isn’t about what is being correct, but what it being creative’! Wonderful words of wisdom David and as always, ever so helpful

  8. Wow – great advice as usual; got my creative juices thinking.

  9. Really helpful to see how local adjustments make such a huge difference.

  10. Very relevant demonstration of the whole creative process that I can apply to my own pictures. Merci

  11. Are you using full frame or aps-c cameras in these pics? The effect of a given numerical f-stop is different in each.

  12. This is what I have been looking for among the massive numbers of educational sources I have collected.

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