The 36 Techniques

Here's a list of Techniques & Elements discussed in each article with examples. 149 pages.

1 But first, Vision. What and how we see what’s in front of us.

2 Emotional Reactions, Attraction, Engagement, Response/Reaction

3 Light, light, light, glorious light. From good to GREAT!

4 The dark side.             Why dark areas and shadows grab our attention.

5 Highlights.    Why large highlights dazzle us.

6 High contrast.    Ooooh, the mind has so much to play with here.

7 Image formats.    Ratios, square, panoramas and all in-between

8 Composition/Ratios.      Our head and trying to sort it out.

9 The ins and outs of it.    How the mind gets easily distracted.

10 The Myth of Sharpness.  DOF and Sharpness

11 Your point of view. Inferior and superior views.

12 Semiotics and Gestalt.   It's a sign of the times.

13 Nostalgia.       Why we go there. Various techniques discussed.

14 Low key overall.    The emotions that go with it. A link to the dark side.

15 High key.        The emotions that go with it. Linked to minimalism.

16 Repetition.    Order/Repetition - why the brain can't get enough of it.

17 Leading Lines

18 High Dynamic Range.        Enough is just right.

19 The devil's in the detail.       Info overload, our poor brain can't do it.

20 The devil may not be in the details. Hone in on the interesting part/s.

21 Colours, moods and uses       Attention spans and concentration.

22 Spot Colour.     Spot the difference. Our grey matter loves it.

23 Monochrome      Tints

24 Black and White.  

25 Panning

26 Movement.      Blur

27 Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)

28 Frozen Moments amongst movement

29 The 3 IDSs how to grab viewer's attention and keep them there.

30 Emotions – getting reactions from viewers

31 Story telling. Different ways of engaging viewers

32 Macro is no little thing.     Why most people are enthralled by it.

33 Minimalism, it's no big thing.     The mind is lazy and likes being lulled.

34 Compositing  – Abstract, conceptual, artistic – muddle or magic?

35 Combining Elements

36 Break the rules.     Rattle the brain if you want attention and reactions.

37 Homework - OK, 1 more but it's the most important