Wedding Question: What Elements Make a Good Photograph?

Couples often ask me about one of the big trends in wedding photography, Photoshopping your wedding pictures (think heightened backgrounds and a specific element pulled out like above). What I tell them is this – while the occasional Photoshopped photo is a dramatic and eye-catching addition to any wedding album (and something I am happy to do), you still want to carefully assess at the quality of the photography.

Because regardless of a photographer’s skills in Photoshop, you simply can’t recreate a missed moment or make a smile look more natural or turn a poorly taken picture into a good one. So, while the enhancements to your wedding photos are a great option, they are exactly that – enhancements to already fantastic, in-the-moment photographs.

But, how do you know if the photograph you’re starting with is good or not? Here are some elements to look for that typically make up a great photograph.

1. Lighting and image exposure. As a photographer, I’m constantly evaluating the light and checking for evidence of shadows that can ruin an otherwise fantastic photo. Without getting too technical, you know the light works in photograph if:

-the whites (look at the clouds if the photos were taken outside) are not super-bright (over-exposed). Overexposure is dangerous because it results in a loss of detail.
-the whites (again check out the clouds) are truly white and not gray (or have a hint of red in the gray). This is a sign of underexposure.
-the tones (colors) are even across the image.
-the colors appear vibrant, as if they are popping off the page.
-the colors appear true with a little detail in the color (you don’t want them too dark).
-the image is crisp and clear versus muddy or “noisy” (basically, a bit blurry around the edges).

2. Emotion that is natural. A great photo is often one where the subjects don’t even know it’s being taken; photos where, because the photographer was positioned correctly, he (or she) managed to capture the realness and emotion of the moment.

Posed photographs where everyone looks natural can be a bit trickier. This is where your photographer’s skills at loosening people up really come into play. You want to hire someone who can make people forget there’s a camera or at least make it non-threatening enough that they’ll let their guard down.

3. Details. Is the groom’s tie lying flat? Is the bride’s train laid out rather than bunched up? It’s these little details that walk the line between a great photograph and one that bugs you every time you look at it.

Some of the things I always look for are: dandruff on the shoulders, buttons buttoned properly, collar alignment, hair off of people’s faces, all dresses lying smoothly, veil properly positioned.

4. It tells a story. The look on your fiancee’s face when he first catches a glimpse of you. Your first dance as a newly married couple. Your dad swinging your mom around the dance floor. Each photo from your wedding should tell a mini-story of what was happening at that moment; put together they tell the story of your wedding.

5. The background. What’s going on in the background, can make or break a photo. As a photographer, I’m constantly monitoring the background to:

-make sure it’s free of distractions (cars, people, etc) that might detract from you.
-see if there is anything there that can help me better tell your story (people, signs, activity, etc).
-compare the texture, patterns and color of the foreground and background to make sure they are working together and not competing.

5. Shooting angle. A photographer can do a lot with camera angles, including making you look your best. And different body types and facial structures require different angles of approach. I’m constantly reassessing shots and double-checking that everyone looks as flattering as possible. Sometimes just the slightest change in angle can make a big difference.

As you’re looking into potential photographer’s albums, ask yourself – Are all the shots taken straight-on? Does the photographer get down low and shoot up? Are some from the side? And also, are the angles they are shooting from, well, flattering?

6. Thinking outside the box. Because I’m always thinking of ways to make couple’s photos truly unique, I sometimes come up with ideas that seem a bit strange as we are shooting them, but often turn out to be album favorites. A great wedding album should be literally one-of-a-kind, which requires your wedding photographer to think beyond the traditional.

Photoshop can only take you so far. Start with great photographs and you’ll end up with an album that is dramatic, emotional and uniquely yours.

Have another tip on what makes a great photograph? Tell us about it in the comments section.