This document discusses key elements of photography including value, clarity, composition, and presentation. It defines value as the use of contrast between light and dark areas. Clarity depends on proper focus and exposure. Composition involves finding a point of interest and using lines and curves. Good presentation means a clean, well-edited final image without dust or scratches. Examples are provided to illustrate good and bad techniques for each element.

1. Looking into a
Photograph
Value, Clarity, Composition, Presentation
By,
NikoMonfalcone

2. Value
 Depends on the range of contrast
 More contrast, more impact
 No grey, less interest
 Establish “good” and “bad” greys
 Exposure most common problem
 Longer the film’s in the developer, the more contrast
 May have accidental exposure- example: opening the camera in a lighted area by accident
 May have improper use of chemicals
 Developing: like a fine art, caution is EVERYTHING

3. GoodValue Example
 In the first photo, the
photographer used the
contrast of light and dark
to make great value

4. Clarity
 Focus is key
 Focus sharp or soft
 Matters a little on photographer’s style
 Your choice of what’s in focus
 Connection: focus depends somewhat on exposure and value.
 Also depends on shutter speed
 Depth of Field: range of difference
 After focusing, no movement front/backwards (stillness means everything)
 Something always in focus

5. Example ofBad Clarity
 As you can see, the clarity
of this photo is wrong in
many different ways. Its
focus is very flat. The
exposure is way overdone,
and its very hard to see
what’s in focus

6. Presentation
 How final photo is produced
 Shows quality and hard work
 How clean: how many dust/scratches?
 Use clean tools to fix: healing brush, clone stamp, etc.
 Trim edges

7. Bad Presentation Example
 This photo contains many dust and scratches, creating
bad presentation. Its like looking through a dirty
window.

8. Composition
 Has to do with style
 Find point of interest
 Crop to center different objects or remove objects from photo
 Two ways of balance: dynamic or static
 Static: balance stays put, point of interest usually centered
 Dynamic: point of interest away from the center, shows movement
 Lines and curves have large impact
 Look closely to see lines and curves
 Line can pull/point, drawing users eyes towards it

9. Good Composition
Example
 Lastly, instead of having a head on shot of the car, this
photographer cropped out part of it to give it the effect
of it shooting past you on the road. Good composition
of a photo can give a company a certain image and even
up their profits.

10. Work Cited
 O’Brian M., Sibley N., The Photographic Eye, 1995,
Davis Publications inc., Worcester, Massachusetts U.S.A
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/flyingspores/384364601
/
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunainapatnaik/642586
6539/
 http://maryvrobinson.blogspot.com/2010/09/canonet-
28-test.html
 http://carlongevity.com/