The Art of Focusing on Your Subject

Mastering photography extends beyond understanding shutter speeds and apertures; it's about capturing the essence of your subject. Whether it's a gourmet dish or a breathtaking landscape, the true art lies in making the subject shine, a principle that every photographer should embrace.

Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio, this enlightening video shares invaluable advice Choucino has received over the years, tailored to photographers at any stage of their career. One pivotal piece of advice is to focus on making the subject look good rather than getting bogged down by technical perfection. Choucino illustrates this with a personal anecdote about food photography, emphasizing that the allure of the dish is paramount, regardless of technical intricacies like blown-out highlights or chromatic aberration. This approach, prioritizing the subject's appeal, is crucial for photographers who aim to create compelling images that evoke emotion and capture attention.

Additionally, Choucino discusses the importance of loving the process and not just the outcome. This philosophy, applicable to both photography and life, encourages enjoyment of the creative journey rather than fixation on the end results. Another vital piece of advice shared is to not compare oneself to others, a common pitfall in the photography community. Choucino's reflections on staying true to one’s unique style and not following the crowd underline the significance of authenticity in an artist's work. By adhering to one's personal vision and style, photographers can distinguish themselves in a saturated market. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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1 Comment

I love how it's been 2 years since he's written content for this site, and yet you post his stuff constantly and it's some of the only worthwhile things on here anymore.