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Poor lighting, like most rejection reasons, sounds deceivingly self-explanatory, yet you‘d be hard-pressed to find more than a handful of Shutterstock [photograph] submitters who have not struggled with this issue. It is in its simplicity that the true deception lies; lighting is one of the most important elements of photography, so by this virtue alone many issues arise when striving for the perfect shot.
Next: K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple, Submitter »
In fact, an entire book could be written on this subject alone (and probably has been), so for this edition of Rejection Reasons, we will examine some examples of poor lighting and discern why they are considered poor quality, and what could be done to improve these images.
So what could be done better?
Use of artificial lighting or a reflector would have helped to reflect some ambient light toward the animal‘s face, as would some precious distance from the subject. A clearer focus would also help this image out.
Like the cat photo above, this photo offers little commercial appeal. The people are hazy, the trees look dark and ominous due to the lack of focus, and the general blurriness suggest this photo was quickly shot without any thought to technique. So what could be done better?
More light would have brightened up this shot, as well as a clearer focus.
So what could be done better? Better control of ambient light would enhance this image considerably. While composed “naturally,” the harsh shadow and lack of detail are evident in the image. Recommendations: Two words: Plan ahead. As much as the urge may strike you, don‘t just rush out there, camera in hand, and begin shooting. Think about your subject. Think about your intended theme. Previsualize the scene, whenever possible. If you are able to previsualize a scene and take a test shot or two, then you are well on your way to composing a textbook shot on your next take. With sufficient planning and a little experience, you‘ll have far less rejection reasons to worry about. Remember, if you study and master the technical elements, the artistic side will come naturally. Good luck!
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