John Suler's Photographic Psychology: Image and Psyche
 



Part 3: Creative Captures and Post-Processing

 

Now that we have a foundation based on the ideas discussed in Parts 1 and 2, we can venture deeper into the psychology of shooting and post-processing images. This section will explore how some of the well-known psychological theories about artists and the creative process apply to photographers, including photographers who aren’t necessarily interested in being an “artist.” How do we realize our goals for the images we create, and learn to enrich our appreciation of the visual experience? Let's think about the right and wrong way to do things, and when we shouldn't worry about that distinction. I'll discuss practical ideas, as well as present some creative exercises and techniques.

The Decisive Moment
Breaking rules
The good capture
Microexpressions
The one that got away
Get the shot right
One spot shots
Museum shoots
Drive-by photography
The golden (magic) hour
Serendipity (the happy accident)
Media transitions

Image shaping (post-processing)
Shooting clones
Instant image
Artistic voice
Head transplants
Categorizing images
Reversals
Chiaroscuro
Surreal photography
Image brainstorming
Let it grow: Turning errors into seeds
The varieties of self-portrait experiences
To delete or not to delete




Photographic Psychology: Image and Psyche