Scale Tales: Photography, Humans and the Great Outdoors

October 07, 2024  •  1 Comment

I was sunning myself in Rhodes recently and, in the best traditions of a Scotsman abroad, was undeterred by what the locals called "stormy cold weather...".

 

So I lay on the beach regardless of what was going on round about me. It was admittedly windy but from a West of Scotland perspective, this was positively flawless weather.

 

"What's that got to do with photography" I hear you ask....getting tips on improving your photographs is the answer. 

 

The waves were crashing off the pier and, like many others, I was interested in trying to capture a big impressive wave.

 

So I shot a few frames and they captured the waves bashing off the pier.

 

Here is one of the first shots. 

 

 

Fine though it might be, I think there's room for improvement. And that in my view is the addition of people into the picture. 

 

So here are a couple of tips on how to use people in photographs to add interest.

 

Tip 1: Scaling Up Your Shots - Why Adding Humans Makes Your Photos Stand Out. 

 

For me people are key to most shots. Even product advertisements have people holding items such as handbags, burgers etc. It's who we are. It's who we relate to. And in a photo, a person makes a huge difference.

 

By way of background, in the days when I was doing local newspaper photography, people in photographs were basically a requirement.  If I shot pictures with no people included, invariably, there was no point: the paper,  would not print it. The papers needed people in photographs.

 

And that has been my mindset ever since: that people are, as general rule, key to almost any shot.

 

So, with that in mind, I was trying to work out how I could get something better out of these wave shots.

 

I thought I needed some people in the frame that would provide scale. As the photo currently stands we really have little to go on. Perhaps the seats help in providing scale, if they're noticed at all.  

 

And at that point, as if "on cue", a chap wandered into the scene.

 

And this is what I got. 

 

 

Now I think thats an improvement to the image. He lends scale. He's looking at the waves which is not bad, but I was still thinking there was something extra that was missing. 

 

That element is "interaction". 

 

Tip 2: The art of Interaction in Photography: When People Meet Place.

 

So, in my view, the chap looking on moved quality along, but still left a bit of something missing: interaction.

 

A woman then enters the scene and turns around to take a selfie and I thought, "bingo", thats the one.

 

​​​​​​​She lends scale and is interacting with the environment. She's now part of it. 

 

​​​​​​​There is a collection of factors that help bring the photo together:-

 

1. The drama of the waves.

​​​​​​​2. The person being in the scene helps identify scale.

​​​​​​​3. The person interacting with the scene tells us something "out of the ordinary" is happening.

 

​​​​​​​And here is the shot I was finally happy with.

 

This is the type of thinking that goes on all the time in my photoshoots: humans interacting with the environment. I will use that principle at an event where folk are taking part in activities. Or in a corporate shoot someone using a piece of kit (could even just be a spanner). 

 

An example is the shot below where the scientist was looking at lab material, which, being reflective, also allowed me the chance to make it more interesting by incorporating the reflection. I added a blue gel to the background flash to change the colour from lab grey/beige to blue to make it more exciting. A separate flash was inside the room, on the right hand side, emitting side light through glass to illuminate the scientist's face. If the image looks exciting it will do the job of stopping folk to read an article for example. 

 

16.3.23 KTP IMAGES LABS JAMES WEIR AND TIC

 

Summary - People: the Pivotal Piece to your Perfect Photo Puzzle.

 

These are your tips therefore to help take your photos to the next level:-

 

1. Add people for scale; and 

2. Try to get them to interact with the surroundings. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

So you've lasted this long and therefore deserve a coffee (or something stronger) unless you're desperate to share/comment on the blog - which of course you are free to do! 

 

If you thought this was interesting, and fancy receiving more top tips or gripping news 😂, then sign up to my VIP Club. Just full in your details, and I'll add you. 

 

​​​​​​​And if you wish to inquire about any photography projects you may have in mind, a 15 minute discovery call can be booked via the same link. Just a chat. 

 

Now you've absorbed all this info, you are ready to impress everyone with your perfect pics with your pals as photo props!

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Guy

GUY HINKS HEADSHOT CARK WEEK 2022 CARD 2 5GUY HINKS HEADSHOT CARK WEEK 2022 CARD 2 5DCIM\100GOPRO\G0012860.JPG  

The author is also a skydive photographer and has had images published in the British Skydiving Magazine and its Annual Calendar. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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