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How to choose your best photo

By Sam Talbot and Sarah McLean of London's Proud Gallery posted 11/01/08

If you’ve been working on the tasks set by the Picture This website and taken a hundred shots you really like, how do you choose the best shot from the collection?

“Photography is a system of visual editing… Like chess, or writing, it is a matter of choosing from among given possibilities, but in the case of photography the number of possibilities is not finite but infinite.” - John Szarkowski, former director of photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art

Remember your brief: what is your photograph trying to express? For example, the first tutorial on this site encouraged you to think about how to capture the essence of a person in a portrait. The photographs below are both well lit, beautifully shot images so at first it would seem hard to decide between them.

However, with the brief in mind, it becomes clear that the second picture seems to tell more about the subject than the first which, although works well technically, lacks the same character and personality.

First impressions aren’t everything, but they can be very useful to determine between two very similar images. When faced with this type of decision, look at the pictures in quick succession and you will often find that one image provokes a much stronger reaction than the other. Whether this is because it is more visually striking, technically accurate or simply makes you feel more engaged, you can often trust your instinct.

Breaking the rules of ‘good photography’ can produce great results. Your most technically gifted picture will not necessarily be your best. A photograph that truly tells the story of the moment it was taken can often be a snapshot, the result of a chance decision – even an accident! When looking for your best photo, about don’t be bound by the rules of the textbook. Early 20th Century surrealist photographer Man Ray put it best when he said ‘Of course, there will always be those who look only at technique, who ask "how," while others of a more curious nature will ask "why." Personally, I have always preferred inspiration to information.’

Ultimately, whether you are choosing pictures for the family album or a professional portfolio, it is most important to select the images that you love. If they speak to you, chances are they will speak to others too.

Thanks to Lilian Wilkie for providing the photos for this technique

You can find more of Lilian on Flickr here

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Please leave a helpful comment here. When you give feedback make sure you let people know exactly what is great about their photo as well what does not work for you, always include useful suggestions on how the photo could be improved.

alan.nash21 said...

Hi my name is alan nash I have been a keen photographer for many years. I have just started my own business mostly photographing weddings, I agree with the statement made by Man Ray, but I also think that many people look at how and why a pictue was taken. I try to take photos naturally, I belive people are at there best when they are not aware they are being photographed. As for anything else it is about lighting and position for me.Its so true what you are saying about anything goes.Thank you for your help.

Posted on 17/01/2008 11:01

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anthony_beck2000 said...

Yes, yes but the problem is that too much judging is done without sufficient reflection on the content of the image - advising peopel to trust their instinct with a quick glance is IMHO irresponsible - you should NOT judge anything by that. This is a BIG topic and not suitable for flip ten second word bites.

Posted on 03/02/2008 11:07

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anthony_beck2000 said...

E.g. the reaosns for preferring the second portrait are manifold - design, compositon, mood - the fine rhythm of the hands - the absence of the irrelevant and meaningless (e.g. the hand positions and flash of flesh in the first pic. and the gross appearance of the lipstick seen full on) - and the integrity of lal the elements working together....to say nothing of the effective shadowing: not to be taken in at a glance. Some pics - e.g. Parr's give up their riches slowly - and that is surely how one learns to appreciate them and to follow their lead.

Posted on 03/02/2008 11:13

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anthony_beck2000 said...

Coming back to this - you can even read into the better image that she is protesting against the lipstick and glam, from her inner life...not on a first take.

Posted on 04/02/2008 10:53

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Paulm0bsw said...

Technically brilliant to me is one thing taking a good and interesting picture is another, I'm NOT technically brilliant ,however if I see something I like I take a picture of it,in a way that pleases me,and if others like that's OK, does this make me a bad photographer ? Paul

Posted on 12/04/2008 21:03

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_dormouse said...

Paul, i think the article supports what you are saying! 'your most technically gifted picture will not necessarily be your best.' i completely agree with you, capturing the moment is key - and the best photographers know this.

Posted on 22/05/2008 15:16

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