Why this is a good photograph. One secret to make more powerful pictures.



The Raw Society Co-Founder Jorge Delgado-Ureña shares his thinking process working in the field and his thoughts about one of his most successful pictures, and analices the reasons why it’s a good photograph.

All photographs in this video are made by Jorge Delgado-Ureña.

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45 thoughts on “Why this is a good photograph. One secret to make more powerful pictures.”

  1. I think the bluish background vs white robes + head-garments also helps in rendering this into a good picture. The fact that white repeats vs the faces being dark so one can hardly discern any facial features also helps, otherwise we may have been attracted to they eyes but this is not possible plus the white clothing being the brightest areas in the photo attracts our attention (away from facial features). I also think the stationary subject at camera right/bookending the composition vs the blurry subject/white motion bookending the picture on the left also help. There is also some kind of progression of the dynamism/motion from camera right to left. Anyway some alternative ideas, my 2 pence, as to why this picture may work.

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  2. Loving the format, because you don't get that typical pictural overload when you feature one image from a larger body of work (which is only hinted at to provide some context and get a sense of the story) and really take a couple of minutes to explore why that particular image may be working. It's akin to standing in front of a museum exhibit and getting an inspired and inspiring one-on-one guided tour. Looking at fewer images, but seeing them for what they are worth, is definitely something we should do more. Please do more of these, Jorge. 😻

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  3. I try to set up shots like that, but honestly many of my best shots are luck. Others where I try to make a formula work, end up looking too clinical. I try to adapt to my surroundings as best as possible, but sometimes, if I turn around, I'll see something I wasn't expecting.

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  4. I marvel at how much thought goes into making a good image. I love to hear about it. Please make more videos like this. Even if I never learn to make photos like this one I will at least be better equipted to look at the photos of others and recognize a quality image when I see one.

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  5. Great video! I loved how you not only explained why it’s a good picture, but also how you approached the composition in the first place. Did you know it was going to be a great picture when you made it or did the realization came later?

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  6. After checking and seeing that this was posted the day before I viewed it I breathed a sigh of relief because it fortified the belief that there will be more of these to come. I certainly hope so. I find your images inspiring and your explanations clear and informative. I am so glad I found your channel. I ordered my camera a few weeks ago and hopefully it will be here at the end of this week. When I was told it was being muled in from Miami I thought they were speaking metaphorically. I now have an image of them strapping it to a mule, smacking its butt and sending it here to Ecuador.

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  7. I was in Rissani in November last year and visited the same spots – ironically I've only just discovered your wonderful channel and am enjoying the parallels of your experience there with mine. The photos that I took in Morocco are very special to me and that same essence is palpable through your work.

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  8. Wonderful photos. Inspiring explanation of how you made the presented picture but do you have any thoughts about occasions were "overthinking" might ruin the shot? Looking forward to watch more content like this!

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  9. Me encanta este video, un análisis súper interesante y en un formato súper bien pensado para que no se haga pesado!!! Me flipa vuestro canal y estoy deseando ya ver vuestro siguientes vídeos !! ❤️

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  10. I really like your explanation of the analysis of the work, it reminds me that moments don't need to be perfectly composed, use your vision to capture a situation how you see it unfolding.

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  11. For me, the photograph is all about motion and dance. I find the gentleman in the doorway a distraction that draws my eye away from the dance
    and "stops" the motion. Likewise for the two gentlemen on the right side of the picture. I held my hands up to block the three guys and to me the photograph seemed more impactful and drew me in even more.

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  12. First of all. This is really a great photo! And another good video, so keep them coming 🙂 But one thing. Composition is many things. And we can all have different views – theory or not. I would say, even if you explain your thoughts, and you draw lines and circles to explain your choice, the composition is not in balance here. It tilts to the left (not to be mistaken with horizontal lines etc). To me there is a something in the left side, that weighs more than the right. Again – it is a fantastic photo, I would wish to have made myself. But you cannot always draw lines and circles, and then conclude the composition is fine and in balance. Hope you understand my point.

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  13. Great video, and would definitely love to see more videos that go into the thought process behind the shot, the elements that make that images work and the reason you selected it. I look forward to more of this series

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  14. Olá Jorge, estou a gostar muito de ouvi-lo a pensar sobre a fotografia, com clareza, profundidade e paixão. Acho esta rubrica sobre o que faz uma fotografia ser significativa muito rica e pertinente. Dê-nos mais disto! Obrigada, Vânia

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  15. Thank you for the video and explanation. Love your videos. I was just wondering: did you put the camera on a tripod to avoid the background being blurry too from camera shake? Or is it possible to take a photo like this handheld?

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