THE VISUAL CHECKLIST : 3 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOS

I’ve been using the same “visual checklist” for my photos for ten years now. Whether I’m shooting professional or personal work, it really helps me to have a process. A series of steps that I take each time, before I press the shutter. They to help me figure out if the photo I’m after is really worth my efforts or if in fact I’m looking in the wrong place.

The visual checklist helps me shoot less but with greater intention. It helps me minimise the frustrations of the “spray and pray” technique (where you just shoot anything and everything and hope for the best!) and walk away with more photos I’m happy with. I made a three minute IGTV video to help explain things but if you haven’t got time to watch it right now, I’ve summarised the 3 steps for you below:

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I’ve been using this simple technique for ten years now in both client work and personal photos. I talk about this in my stories a fair bit but thought it’d be nice to share it here too. So, before you press the shutter, whether you’re shooting with the big camera or iPhone take a moment to consider the 1. Light 2. Composition 3. Story Whether you’re photographing your family or taking on your first paid photography jobs, running through the visual checklist before you press the shutter can really help you to slow down and be in the moment. It allows you to really see what’s in front of you. It enables you to shoot less, but with greater intention. Hope it’s helpful, I’ll be sharing ore on this in my stories later x #phototips #cameramama

A post shared by Suzie Jay Goldsmith (@mylittlemusephoto) on Dec 17, 2019 at 10:59am PST

Step 1 : LIGHT

Before you press the shutter, ask yourself about the light. Is it good enough? If not, could you move closer to your available light source? Then you could ask yourself whether that light is interesting. If you’re looking to enhance a mood rather than just snap a portrait perhaps you could place your subject in front of the light? Backlighting can be very atmospheric.

Step 2 : COMPOSITION

Becoming familiar with various compositional tools can really help your confidence grow when you’re looking for things to include in a frame. Rule of thirds, golden ratio, leading lines, negative space etc. Have a quick google of these terms and start looking for them when you’re framing your shot. Of course you may decide to break the rules completely and that’s ok, as long as you are doing it intentionally :)

Step 3 : STORY

Before you press the shutter, ask yourself what you can include that will support the narrative of your photo. If you’re photographing children playing in the garden for example, perhaps including a watering can or a sprinkler in your frame would help the viewer understand it’s a hot Summer’s day. Try to convey a message with the visual elements in your frame.

I find it really helpful to have these guidelines for my photography. Looking for those favourable places to point my camera (and simply discounting the less favourable) can actually help me feel more creative. Too much choice is rarely a good thing!

“Telling yourself you have all the time in the world, all the colors in the palette, that just kills creativity.” - Jack White

So shoot less but with greater intention my friends!

S x