By Gay Eskew
What is the “WOW Factor”? It’s identifying a photograph or painting in a group that stands out from the “crowd”: all the other works. It captures your attention. It holds your focus. It tells a story visually or in your imagination. It entertains. It grabs your attention for no apparent reason. But the real reason is hidden in some basic, unexpected “secrets.”
The next question is: How do I create a photograph or painting that oozes the “WOW Factor”? Michael Phelps (Artist, Photographer, Art Class Teacher) shares the following tips.
VALUE, CONTRAST, COMPOSITION, PERSPECTIVE, and COLOR make up the pyramid. Listed in the order of descending artistic qualities, the first two are paramount. Most importantly, they exemplify the lighting qualities that set a photo apart from the average.
Number 1: The eye is attracted to VALUE, or tonal values. These range from black to white, with around five descending shades of gray in between. A black-and-white photograph is a perfect example of tonal values. One identifies the content of the photo because of values, rather than color.
Number 2: This goes hand in hand with the next step on the pyramid: CONTRAST. Black and white are opposites. The darker areas portray the sharpest contrasts with the lighter ones. The shades of gray add depth to the photo. These underlying characteristics in black-and-white photos secretly highlight the “WOW Factor!” of a color photo.
How does one implement VALUE and CONTRAST into a photograph? Lighting makes or breaks a photo. It determines the hidden values and contrasts. There should be no blinding lights, such as the sun or a spotlight. Keep the sun behind you! Too bright or too dark destroys the tonal values of the shades of gray and a possible “WOW Factor” photo.
The direction of the light source shapes what it illuminates through its shadows. Carefully crafted areas of light atop the darker areas create a meaningful photo. That’s one reason why a scenic photo of the sky and the ground pleases the eye; it follows the laws of nature. Or a shadow captured behind a person or object makes sense. These tips offer leeway in shooting a snapshot in time. Practice, practice, and practice some more. To create value, prioritize the tonal values of light and dark contrasts.
Save your best photos as you practice capturing a "Wow Factor" picture. To learn more, visit townofaugustamo.org and click on the "Photo Contest" tab to learn more and see the past winners of the contest.