How to Take “Good” Photos

by Hunter Longo

What makes a good photo? Is it composition? The magical rule of thirds? Thankfully “good” is subjective and is 100 percent up to the artist to determine. Crisp focus is optional. Composition is whatever you can think of. There are no rules. After all, a camera is really only a box of light.

If I could only say one thing, it would be to shoot what you know and love. Now, these are two separate things but they are equally as important. What does it mean to shoot what you know? 

Shooting what you know can mean many different things. Some are able to sense emotion, and can evoke feelings with their work. Others know how the sharp and jagged lines of a city skyscraper can become absolutely enthralling. Knowledge gives a good foundation, but love might be the most important thing.

Now, what about love? Authenticity attracts, and if an artist is truly passionate about a subject, it will show in their photographs. You have to love people to know the vast valleys and mountains of emotion they can bring into a photograph, and onto the viewer. Or how sunlight dances through the day to cast its gleaming beams upon otherwise inconsiderable subjects. At the end of the day, it takes attention. Slowing down to really see what is always there. Know and love everything, and you will never take a bad photo again.