If you want to take better pictures, you’re gonna need to learn WHAT makes a good picture. This is a picture I shot, that I like. It’s pretty good,  it has some elements I really like.

I can tell you what I think makes a good picture. Your definition may be different and that is what art is all about, but here are my thoughts.

1. Synergy and Composition – The technical elements all work together (depth of field, color quality, etc.) and the composition is well done.
2. Drama and Emotion – How is the moment crystallized? What does the picture make me feel?
3. Light and Luminosity – How the subject is lit? How does the light luminate through the image?
4. Gesture Texture – What is being conveyed? The depth, the value and range of tones are of quality.
5. Intimacy and Revelation – Does this photo take me into a world, I’ve never been? What do we know now that we didn’t know before?

If you say to yourself, “I just want to take pictures of my kids or my dog, do I really need to know that stuff?”
I don’t know, I guess it depends, do you want to take crappy pictures or beautiful pictures?
Learning to do good work is an investment, browse the photos of any great photographer and you’ll be inspired.

Here are my two favorite places to visit to view outstanding images. You will find work that moves you, photos that make think, “What the h#$% is that?”, and photos most likely you will hate. It’s fabulous! It’s a collection of some of the world’s best photographers in two places.
http://www.thecolorawards.com/