Whether you use a digital camera or an SLR there are a few things you will want to do if you want to take quality gallery photographs. If you are new to art and photography, you might want to even take a art and photography class at a local community college.
It is a good idea to visit a photography gallery and spend time studying the art gallery photographs. Studying art and gallery photography will give you a keener eye for your own photography gallery.
We will explore a few basic ideas to keep in mind for great gallery photographs.
It may seem like common sense, but purchasing good equipment will significantly improve your art gallery photographs. Poor quality equipment can diminish the the beauty of your gallery photographs.
Research photographic equipment and talk with other photographers before purchasing. Tell the sales associate that you want to take art gallery photographs for a personal photography gallery. Sales staff at specialty art and photography stores know which models work best for gallery photographs.
Quality gallery photographs consist of a number of elements that comprise what is known as the photograph composition. You will need to learn these elements and how to use them to create art gallery photographs. See the chart below for a brief description of the basic elements of good art gallery photographs.
PHOTOGRAPHIC ELEMEMTS
Center of Interest
The Center of interest is the subject, idea or the reason the photo is taken. Without a center of interest, viewers will wonder what is going on in the picture.
Subject Placement
Photographers usually use the rule of third by dividing the lens/field of view into thirds and framing the subject/center of interest in one of the thirds.
Simplicity
Do not clutter your photo with too many ideas or more than one center of interest.
View Point & Camera Angle
The viewpoint is the perspective from which the photo is taken. Likewise, the camera angle is the geometric angle from which the picture is taken. There are high and low view points and eye level view points taken at a height of 5 ½ ft.
Balance
The overall distribution of elements in your photo in relation to other elements within the photo. There is symmetrical, asymmetrical, formal.
Shapes and Lines
In art and photography shapes are thought to be two-dimensional and can be enhanced by specific backgrounds and lighting much like a silhouette. Lines also may draw the focus of a photo or create structure in your photo.
Pattern
Patterns create a cohesion and give structure to your photo generally enhancing its overall quality.
Texture
An important element to capture in gallery photographs to add a tactile component to art and photography. Texture adds a certain credibility and dimension to your photograph.
Tone
The way color and shade is distributed through your photo can add special meaning or enhance the center of interest. Darker tones may add an ominous element while contrasting tones may add a stark quality to your photograph.
Contrast
Much like tone, contrast adds definition to your photographs and can be used to highlight a central idea or theme in your art gallery photographs.There are high and low colors and scenes in art gallery photographs.
Framing
A technique by which a photographer uses an element in a photo like a tree, bridge or other structure to frame and highlight the center of interest or obscure non essential elements in the photo.
Foreground
The part of art and photography that is most sharp and clear in the photo.
Background
The part of art gallery photographs that serve as the outer surroundings/environment of the center of interest.
Perspective
It is the distance between the camera lens and the center of interest. There are several kinds of perspectives, such as linear, rectilinear, vanishing point, dwindling size, overlap, height and more. An example would be the perspective of a photo taken through a tunnel with an opening at the end.
Volume
The photographic concept of creating depth in your photo. The goal is to move from a two-dimensional form to a three dimensional center of interest. This is usually accomplished by taking photos on an angle.
Lighting
Perhaps the single most important element in photography. Lighting can effect or enhance tone, contrast, texture and other elements in art and photography. There are various kinds of lighting techniques.
As you take your photos, try to incorporate these elements. Gallery photos will generally include all or most of these concepts. Try to notice them in art gallery photographs. They are present in the art and photography at museums and galleries.
Also, make a point of reviewing all of your photographs after you've taken them. Ask yourself which elements are present and how they could be improved.
Experiment with different art and photography elements. Lighting is an important art and photography element, so it is a good idea to try as many lighting techniques as possible. Be aware of the direction or angle of light outdoors and how it effects your subject (center of interest).
Try to create different moods, perspectives and ideas by using varying photographic elements on the same subject. As you review these photos, try to understand how these elements effect your photo and whether you accomplished the desired effect.
You may also want to visit an photography gallery, select two or three photos you like and try to recreate them on your own. Get as much practise as you can, and in no time you will be able to create your own quality photography gallery.