BL Sept Oct 08 17-32

Wonderful curios for Wonder
Chambers
In the 19th Century, the construction
W
elcome to Black’s Magic
of regal wonder chambers ushered in
��
a cultural desire to highlight exotic As you may recall, we outlined the twelve components of a photograph in the previous issue. For the next
travel ﬁ nds like sea coral, ostrich
��
several issues, we are going to address each of these elements at length. How does this help? By thor-
eggs, and coconuts. To enhance the
object for display and to further dem-
oughly understanding these elements, we can work with even more conﬁ dence and create photographs
onstrate wealth, the owner would
with stronger visual interest. The ﬁ rst element we are going to learn about is “Composition”.
commission a local silversmith to
mount the found piece in sterling
Composition can simply be described as the overall “look” of a
silver. Typically, the natural items like
photograph, it’s “ﬁ rst impression”, if you will. The Professional
coconuts would be transformed into
Photographers Association competition guidelines includes “Good
coconut bowls on sterling silver bases
placement of the subject matter” as a key attribute (among other
and pineapple-shaped drinking cups
more technical aspects) of a well-composed photograph.
is supported by a silver ﬁ gure of a mermaid mimicked the form of the uniquely shaped fruit.
rising up with ancanthus leaf details and a base These coveted pieces were little known and
Good placement of your subject(s) is vital. In fact, you can vary
mount that features four tortoises. The tortoise, difﬁ cult objects to acquire coming from a brave
the visual impact and interest in your image greatly by just moving
a symbol of steadfast determination, is a pre- new world that many people did not have the
your camera around your subject. Where do we start? We start
eminent image in the world of tourism particu- opportunity to visit. Alas, they are far aﬁ eld from
with two simple concepts:
larly in the ocean areas where the ms Veendam today’s mass-produced DisneyWorld t-shirts or
and other ships of the HAL ﬂ eet sail. Statue of Liberty shot glasses.
The ﬁ rst concept is one that should, in most cases, be avoided.
That is creating a “static” image by placing your subject dead-cen-
Historically speaking, to display such objects in The next time you ﬁ nd yourself walking along
ter in your viewﬁ nder. Doing so leads the viewer’s eye directly to
one’s home showed not only a society’s predilec- a sandy beach or enjoying a relaxing cruise,
your subject, which seems like a good thing, but doesn’t hold the
tion for travel, but also commented on the ﬁ nan- remember that collecting travel treasures is
viewer’s interest because there is nothing else of interest in the
cial means of the traveler. In the 19th Century, nothing new. In fact, as we connect with other
photograph. (How long can you stare at a target before your mind
travel curios were status symbols and conversa- cultures through travel, the souvenirs that we
begins to wander?)
tion pieces as were the high style display chests bring home connect us with history.
and collectors’ cabinets in which they were kept.
The second concept is the “rule of thirds”, where the subject is
��
In those days, you not only had to have some
placed off-center, at a point one-third from the edge of the photo-
The accompanying portrait of the girl with her horse is presented both ways
��
wealth in order to embark on an excursion, but
graph. It can be any edge – top, bottom, left or right. Sometimes,
– ﬁ rst with the subject placed dead center and then carefully placed in the
��
you had to have the type of mansion home to
an even stronger image can be created if you place your subject at
right third. Most viewers would agree the offset image has a more visual
��
properly display the special objects that you col-
the point where two points intersect, where the upper and right-
impact and a stronger dynamic element.
��
lected while traveling.
hand thirds meet, for example.
��
BL
Constantly Captivating Customers
C
reating Award Winning Customer Service
��
The ﬁ rst week in October is National Customer Service W Follow Through
vides an opportunity to assess y The quickThe quickest west way to pry to provvide exide exccelellent customer service is flent customer service is folollowing lowing
thrthroough. If yugh. If yoou sau say yy you’ou’ll do something fl do something for yor your customerour customer, mak, make sure sure to e to
do ido itt in a timely f in a timely fashion. Fashion. Foolllowing thrlowing throough makugh makes customers fes customers feel imporeel impor-
tant and worthtant and worthy!y!
The ﬁThe ﬁ rrst imprst impreession is alwssion is alw
☺
eek which pro-
our customer service acumen. Following
these ﬁ ve principles will ensure your providing the best customer service
possible.
Attitude and Actions
ayys the most important. As the most important. Atttiittude, body lan-ude, body lan- Say Thank You
guage and vguage and veerbal communication prrbal communication provvide customers the motivide customers the motivaation to tion to One of the main goals of customer service is crOne of the main goals of customer service is creeating an enating an envirvironment of onment of
buy or not. When fbuy or not. When face to face to face crace create an eneate an envirvironment that is positivonment that is positive and e and repeat customers. Exprepeat customers. Expressing gressing gratiatitude and thanks to ytude and thanks to your customers is a our customers is a
warm barm by using eyy using eye contact, speaking clearlye contact, speaking clearly, and smi, and smiling often. On the ling often. On the grgreat weat wayy to k to keeep them coming back. Sending thank yep them coming back. Sending thank yoou notes or caru notes or cardds, s,
telephone crtelephone create that same eneate that same envirvironment bonment by standing during the cony standing during the converer- coupons or discounts, or notiﬁcoupons or discounts, or notiﬁ ccation of new pration of new prooducts or services after ducts or services after
sation, looking fsation, looking forworwarard as if the person wd as if the person was in fas in front of yont of you, and smiou, and smiling ling purpurcchases arhases aree made is a gr made is a greeat wat wayy to k to keeep yep yoour customers coming back!ur customers coming back!
often.
Listen The Learning KThe Learning Keeyy, I, Inc. in Wnc. in Washington Crashington Crossing, Possing, Pennsylvennsylvania, is an indus-ania, is an indus-
I believe the rule of thirds is so effective because it causes viewers to scan the entire image as if reading words on a page. By doing so, the view-
Let yLet your customer know your customer know yoou aru are truly engaged and intere truly engaged and interested in their ested in their try leader in prtry leader in providing trviding training and devaining and development services. elopment services.
er takes more time to view all the elements (subject, foreground, background, etc.) and better appreciate the image. This belief has become even
needs. Activneeds. Activee listening means y listening means you arou are able to re able to reieiterterate their concerns ate their concerns
stronger as I realized how effective it can be to place the subject in the lower right-hand corner of the photograph. This area, sometimes called the
and ideas, mirrand ideas, mirroor their emotions and prr their emotions and provide solutions to prvide solutions to problems they oblems they
“lonely corner”, can be effectively used to create a mood of isolation. It can also be used to strengthen your subject’s presence, as in the accom-
present.
panying bridal couple’s portrait. Perhaps this is true because this area is at the “end” of the page, where punctuation deﬁ nes the content.
To contact The Learning Key, Inc.,
Relieve their Pain
Rules, rules, rules. I prefer “guidelines” instead. Photography is an artistic endeavour and, as such, should be approached with a soaring creative
call 800-465-7005 or 215-493-9641.
Customers buy when they need something. YCustomers buy when they need something. Yoour prur prooduct or service has to duct or service has to
spirit. Yes, I use the rule of thirds as a starting point when creating many images, but I also let my heart and my insightful instincts guide me
meet that need bmeet that need byy r reelliieving the pain they areving the pain they aree experiencing. B experiencing. Bee patient as patient as
www.thelearningkey.com towards creating images. By doing so, I believe we can create photographs that are true to our character as well as that of our subjects.
you explore their pain and needs. Providing exceptional customer service
may mean referring them to another source instead of forcing a solution
The next installment of Black’s Magic will help you with tips on “impact”, helping you create moods and direct the viewer’s attention.
on them.
Wilson Black is the owner of Wilson Black Photography LLC, your exclusive source for Insightful ImagingSM. For more information, please visit
BL
www.wilsonblackphotography.com.
26 Bucks Lehigh Magazine
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16