What details are important to focus on to improve your photography?

Photography, at its core, is the art of capturing moments. But what sets an ordinary photograph apart from an extraordinary one often lies in the attention to detail. By focusing on interesting details, photographers can transform simple images into captivating stories. Here are four examples of major photography niches where developing an eye for key details will greatly enhance the story telling power of your photographs.

Street photography is all about transforming mundane, everyday scenes into compelling narratives. A skilled street photographer sees beauty and interest in things other people walk right past without noticing.  By looking beyond the obvious and honing in on the subtle details that bring a scene to life you instantly invest meaning in what could otherwise be just an ordinary scene. Consider a bustling market: while a wide shot might capture the vibrancy of the place, focusing on a single vendor’s hands as they reach into a fish tank for someone’s dinner tells a more intimate story. (For more from where this photos was taken, check out this post on a visit to Japan where we toured Tokyo's famous Tsukiji Outer Market in 2019) The look in the eye of the fish being caught vs the ones still “free” evokes the market's essence.

Portrait photography is all about capturing the personality and essence of the subject. While a straightforward headshot for professional use is an essential tool for the modern worker, more creative portraits can be developed by zeroing in on particular details that can reveal much more about the subject. IN the photo above the subject was excited about the news her braces were coming off so I captured an unconventional portrait showing her enthusiasm and the elastics of the braces (*shot with a Lensbaby Sweet 50). For corporate portraits, in the image below, for instance, instead of a conventional straight on portrait against a clean backdrop, try placing your subject in an outdoor setting that provides some insight into the mindset and context of your subject at that moment in time. In this photograph of a new CEO at the outset of her mandate, I included positive symbolism of growth and new beginnings by including the little purple flowers in the foreground. It's these nuances that can turn a simple portrait into a powerful expression of identity.

Macro photography takes the concept of detail even further revealing the beauty of the world in details you might otherwise miss. Like this frog, for example in the image above that I almost stepped on during a hike last summer. The beautiful aspect of macro photography is that it can be done by anyone anywhere. This white moth on green leaf (below) was shot with my phone right outside my front door. Flowers and other plants are a common subject for macro photography, but rather than capturing the entire bloom, focusing on the intricate patterns of the petals or the delicate structure of the pollen grains can unveil a world of wonder. These details, often invisible to the naked eye, showcase the intricate beauty of nature and highlight the complexity of seemingly simple subjects. 

I particularly love photographing things at markets, especially when I travel. Something about seeing the item up close - with its price tag - makes me feel like I an closer to understanding what it is like to live in the place I am visiting and gives me a better appreciation for the experience.

Architectural photography can sometimes seem cold and impersonal, focusing on the grandeur of buildings rather than their human elements. However, by concentrating on details, photographers can reveal the character and craftsmanship of architectural wonders. For example, in the photo above, I used the reflection of a modern building to capture and enhance images of the older buildings that are characteristic of Montreal's Old Port. 

In the image below (shot with my iPhone and also edited on the phone to rectify the lines), I wanted to conveny both the impressive and imposing weight and significance of Rome's famous Pantheon - but also include the massive crowds around it to show how it really looks in modenr times and to convey an accurate sense of what it's like to visit on a hot day in July.

One more thing I often look for and enjoy shooting when I travel is street art. Graffitti and posters in particular. I find they add a real sense of place to a city and while they often share common characteristics across geographies, they also convey a very specific sense of the hyper local, like the images from Naples below.

Whether capturing the essence of a bustling market, the depth of a person's character, the hidden beauty of nature, or the intricate craftsmanship of architecture, focusing on interesting details can elevate a photograph from ordinary to extraordinary. By honing in on these details, photographers can tell more compelling stories, evoke deeper emotions, and reveal the world in ways that are often overlooked. So, next time you pick up your camera, remember: the magic is in the details.