In this article, we'll explore the ingredients for a great photo and find out which are the most important.
You need three main ingredients for a great photo: a powerful subject, the right combination of light and weather, and a composition to tie it all together. Add proper technique and editing on top of that, and you have a portfolio photo. Most of the time, at least one of the pieces is missing. Sometimes, you'll have a great subject and a beautiful composition, yet the light does not fit the scene. Or, you have a glowing sky but nothing to put in front of it.
I often struggled with the latter. During the first years of landscape photography, I would switch to headless chicken mode if the light exploded in another direction from where I was currently shooting. I'd run around desperately searching for a composition, which didn't work that often. Eventually, I got better at scouting and started looking for subjects and compositions in any direction, not just sunrise and sunset. It provided additional flexibility when the light changed during a photo shoot.
However, not all locations provide an abundance of subjects. Sometimes, you'll be tied to a single subject and composition. Anything else would be a compromise. The question is, what should you do if there's better light in another direction?
I think we can all agree that without a subject, there's no photo. It's the first ingredient you should look for during planning and scouting. Many things can serve as subjects, and while not all of them are great, something representative of the location you're photographing will be a good foundation.
Next, it comes down to the question of what's more important: light or composition? You might be able to photograph a subject from different angles to point your camera in the direction of the light. But without a good composition, your photo will be lacking.
On the other hand, you can turn a strong subject with a good composition into a portfolio photo. The image of the Great Pollet Arch is an example. I love this shot, although there's no glowing sky behind the arch. Do I wish I'd had a colorful sunrise that morning? You bet I do. But the blue hour provides a beautiful mood, and because of the subject and composition, it's still a portfolio-worthy image for me. A photo of the Great Pollet Arch with a dramatic sky but without a good composition wouldn't be.
There's nothing wrong with chasing the light. But while you can take portfolio photos without it, you should not sacrifice a great composition for it. I discuss this in the feature video. I've learned to accept the unpredictability of light and weather. Nowadays, I'll always take subject and composition over light. I do my best to find out about the place with the best weather conditions for photography. But beyond that, I have no control.
But be assured, if you're out there often and put in the work, you'll also have enough opportunities where all the pieces fit together. And if they don't, make sure to still enjoy your time outside. Photography should not be about the results, but about the process. It will help you get much more out of your photo tours; not necessarily more photos, but certainly more great memories.
