TEXTURE

&PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo by Michael Arm

Capturing the viewer’s attention…An often overlooked method of capturing the viewers' attention is the use of texture.

Texture can be defined as the surface detail of an object.

Texture photography is any image that depends, at least partly, for its impact on the texture of the objects in the image.

Why shoot texture photography?As photographers, we need to create images that have impact, and the proper utilization of texture can add impact to images.

When used properly, texture can be just as powerful as bold color, leading lines, or dramatic scenery.

By adding the use of texture to our skill set, we expand our skills and become better photographers.

Photograph: Peter Gray

3 Types of Texture Photography…

• Detail

• Drama

• Information

Texture for Detail…With this type of texture photography, the detail in the surface of the object being photographed is the most important aspect of an image. The actual object is of lesser importance.

The image is often shot as a macro shot in order to move in very close to emphasize the detail or as a partial object shot where only a portion of the object is photographed.

Often, the best light for this type of image is side light. Side light will bring out the detail in any uneven surface by casting shadows.

Texture for Drama…With this approach to texture photography, the texture is used to add drama to an image.

The texture is not necessarily the most important aspect of an image. It is only one component of the image that serves to spice up the photograph.

The texture can also serve to direct the viewer's eye by the use of curves that the viewer's eye tends to naturally follow.

Photograph: Ron Bigelow

Texture for Information…The third type of texture photography uses texture to help communicate information about an image.

Photograph: Ron Bigelow

For example: The old wood of the window frame, as well as the aged wood of the wagon (reflected in the window), clearly communicate that this is an old structure.

Texture for Information cont…What textures do you notice?

How do they serve to inform us?

It is important to identify exactly what information the texture is to communicate and compose the image in such a way that the texture brings out the proper message.

Texture should enhance the center of interest but not overwhelm the center of interest.

3 Important Aspects of Texture in Photography…

• Contrast• Curves• Patterns

Contrast…Contrast enhances the detail in texture and makes it stand out.

How is contrast being used in this photograph to enhance texture?

Photograph: Ron Bigelow

Is this an example of tonal contrast or color contrast?

Contrast cont…

How is contrast being used here to emphasis texture?

Photograph: Ron Bigelow

Curves…Leading curves: lead the viewer's eye to the center of interest. This strengthens the center of interest. As a result, leading curves can be very successful in increasing the effectiveness of an image.

Non-leading curves: do not lead a viewer's eye to the center of interest. Instead, they serve to add some type of feeling or information to an image. They serve to add a sense of the dramatic to the image.

Photographs: Ron Bigelow

Patterns…Patterns are frequently very effective at catching people's attention. There are a couple of ways that patterns in textures can be made even more effective:

Multiple patterns

The texture pattern of the center of the flower is matched with the texture pattern of the pedals.

Breaking the pattern

The inserted object should be carefully placed in such a manner that it enhances the composition.

Photographs: Ron Bigelow

Don’t forget about lighting…Have you heard of the “golden hours” of photography?

Some photographers exclusively shoot in these times of the day (for good reason) – however in doing so they could be overlooking other opportunities that midday photography presents us with.

One such opportunity of photographing with the sun high in the sky is the way that it highlights texture on vertical surfaces.

Photograph: rarcarman

PS: of course it’s not just overhead light hitting walls (or other surfaces) that can create a sense of texture in a shot. Sidelight and uplight can give a similar impact –

here’s some examples…

Photograph: S2art

How is lighting being used to evoke an emotion or convey a certain mood?

Photograph: Marcus Ramberg

Photograph: scose

Photograph: matsugoro