Improve your photographic eye with these solid tips and techniques

Finding striking photo compositions is something every photographer needs to be great at. It takes practice - lots of practice. But like any talent, it also helps if you have some good ideas of where to start and what to look for. That is EXACTLY why I made this video and is the very reason that every photographer needs to watch it.
My Post Processing: All the images in this video have been processed with Lightroom and many have been further edited using the various tools from the Nik Collection. For instance, the tremendous power of Perspective EFX accurately and AUTOMATICALLY corrected the perspective in one photo with a single click. Other effects have been used to add grain, colour casts, sharpen and otherwise modify many other images into the attention-grabbing photo artworks you see in this video. I strongly recommend you try the Nik Collection and you can do that for free using the links below. If you decide to buy, please use my affiliate link so that I can earn a small commission.
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STAIRCASE video:
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[@michaelhall2709]

There’s a world-famous sort of failed utopia called Arcosanti about a day’s drive from here, not that far from the Grand Canyon. Designed by architect Paolo Saleri back in the ‘70s, he actually got young students to pay him for the privilege of doing the construction in the brutal Arizona summer heat. I’ve been thinking of taking a trip there to photograph it, and will likely apply some of the visualization techniques I’ve seen here.

[@Kangamoos]

I love the opening line! I'm also a huge fan of brutalist architecture ❤

[@AndyBanner]

I am easily pleased these days, Jen.

[@petertaylor1811]

Great video Andrew. Very informative and full of useful advice. I love this type of photography, exploring the mundane, everyday life. Thanks.

[@AndyBanner]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks, Peter

[@kevinbull6597]

Another great video Andrew. Would love to see what you could do in a boatyard, as they are full of wonderful shapes and textures etc.

[@AndyBanner]

I have had enough of boatyards, thanks. :-)

[@peterreber7671]

I would say you are looking for patterns, something regular, repeating but then find a disruptive element that through its contrast enhances the image. A helpful video.

[@AndyBanner]

A fine way of describing the process, Peter. Of course, it's not just patterns. Take a look at my community post that demonstrates that colour contrast is also important. The second shot of the circular vent in this video combines colour contrast and pattern disruption in one shot.

[@iaincphotography6051]

Many people look but fail to see. I have been looking at art and photography books for years and years, visiting galleries etc. Even when you were shooting I was looking over your shoulder at what was about, I can help it lol. Too many people talk too much about Cameras and lenses and little about images. I have complimented many a chef over the years and not once did I ask them what Cooker they used or how big their pans are!

[@AndyBanner]

Ian Browne pointed out a number of possible shots I walked past in the filming of this video too. If we were in the age of film, I would have to be walking around with a massive coolbox of 35mm canisters there is so much to see here.

[@Arripa-777]

@@AndyBanner 🤣

[@myimagecapture2266]

Aside from fabulous images I think it's worth noting the treatments that you have used on many of your photographs. I detect some creative use of NIK plugins here, particularly the B&W images. I too am drawn to brutalist architecture but have never stopped to analyze it. Another fine video Andrew.

[@AndyBanner]

Thank you. Yes, the post processing is key to many such images in my experience.

[@ledesclos5321]

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

[@AndyBanner]

My pleasure!

[@toine1915]

Hi, Andrew. A very nice video that is definitely worth watching again. Here you have everything you need for beautiful Urba photos. When I go out into the street I always look for these things, shapes, structure, and their combination. Here you have everything together in one place. The graphic combined with the organic nature of the trees and plants. If you put these two together you get a lot of photographic possibilities. I had made everything in black and white, but this is my personal preference. Thank you for sharing the video. Until the next opportunity. Antoine.

[@travelswith...]

Andrew, what an absolute goldmine of a location for photography... with an almost endless supply of photo opportunities around every corner. Super images & again great content in the Vlog. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻...

[@AndyBanner]

Many thanks!

[@morrisgentry8624]

Wonderful video, Andrew. I can relate to your appreciation of those types of subjects. Well done.

[@AndyBanner]

Thank you, Morris

[@2o4II112II26o2]

Thankyou very much for this video, Andy - I will study it closely. David

[@AndyBanner]

Thank you, David

[@alexlford]

Great style - I love this kind of photography - similar to what I look for in my own work - good stuff!

[@AndyBanner]

Thanks, Alex. Much appreciated.

[@Arripa-777]

Nice ! I should also try to shoot in a "not so aesthetic " area ! Very challenging ! The building looks nicer on your photos than in reality ! 😆 👍🏽 Thank you !

[@AndyBanner]

I have found something way less photographically interesting for a future video... working on it now.

[@Arripa-777]

@@AndyBanner Ah ! Great ! Good idea !

[@thomasgrant1850]

Brutiful work Andy

[@AndyBanner]

Thank you kindly, Thomas

[@laurielphotography1118]

Very helpful video, Andy. There were quite a few things I would have shot at that location, and whether or not they would have been any good isn't the point. The fact is, the further into the video I got, the more I was seeing them. Thanks for sharing your thought process. Again, it was very helpful

[@AndyBanner]

The more we train our eyes to see, the better our images will be. Thanks for your support.

[@toine1915]

Hi, Andrew. A very nice video that is definitely worth watching again. Here you have everything you need for beautiful Urba photos. When I go out into the street I always look for these things, shapes, structure, and their combination. Here you have everything together in one place. The graphic combined with the organic nature of the trees and plants. If you put these two together you get a lot of photographic possibilities. Thank you for sharing the video. Until the next opportunity. Antoine.

[@AndyBanner]

Indeed, Antoine. It's clear that the architects of these places know very well how to create an aesthetic too. Hard lines softened with planting are everywhere and these are perfect for the IRL experience and capturing in 2D. Hope you are well. Andy

[@ianbrowne9304]

Good one --- such an eye opening video even if I do similar in the Australia bush . As I call it ; finding the little pictures inside the big picture . But the thoughts I have now is perhaps I isolate my little subject too much like at 11:39 ; the signs on the door would be my photo ---- maybe too tight (??) 17:04 the window/mirror . I would have spotted that a mile off although I feel the edge of the building is a distraction . Maybe a crop , or hit the auto correction the LR Lens correction (??) 19:30 steps , blue doors , silver handles ;) 20:12 sign hiding in the bush ;) You are always thought provoking and I will this with few other FB groups

[@AndyBanner]

Ian, you are spot on. You're seeing all these things that I missed. Don't ever start a YT channel as I'll be redundant...

[@Ricalex67]

First ime watcher and glad I did. Looking for a direction to travel on and this has helped. Fed up of people in street photography and finding architecture, abstract, etc is something you can find anywhere. Looking forward to testing this out for myself now

[@AndyBanner]

Thanks for your time. To be honest, the examples I show in this video could just as easily be anywhere. Take a look at my last community post of the red cable on the black passenger seat of a car. The shot is technically the same as anything I show in this video. It's a contrast between subject and background. The genre is totally unimportant.

[@SloopJohnBee-vq6dw]

Must go there. I know what you mean about juxtaposition of architecture and nature. But my tendency for that location would be purely architectural. Each to their own. There is no right or wrong 👍📸

[@SteveMorris1964]

Great video Andy, definitely alot to take away from it, I'm an engineer so spotting angles and lines and shapes comes rather naturally, the maths side of engineering I guess, but I've never really put it to photography and I must admit, I sometimes see a juxter position in shapes and screw my nose up at it as not interesting. So there in lies the question, I guess you have to find these things interesting, as you obviously do. But, I am going to try this more with some street photography which is something I do enjoy. You definitely have a way of getting things across, maybe you were a teacher in another life 😁 Take care mate, Steve.

[@DanFarrar]

Wonderful informative walk around. Taking brilliant photos is one thing…hearing and seeing the photo creation is amazing! Great job! 👍

[@AndyBanner]

Thank you, Dan. Not sure they're brilliant photos, but I am probably not fit to judge that. :-)

[@DanFarrar]

@@AndyBanner The thoughts and observations add value to me. I photograph much in the same manner but have a difficult time explaining my process of getting there. I’m inspired to slow down and maybe explain my process better. Thanks for the inspiration 💡

[@AndyBanner]

Perhaps try talking yourself through it. You may be surprised how this helps.

[@DanFarrar]

@@AndyBanner oh, explaining is easy…I’m a dog sniffing for a bone lol. Honestly, I have a process I’ve just never verbalized it and I should.

[@sharondmeber3802]

I couldn’t find the link to the Frames video you referenced

[@AndyBanner]

As is often the way with a memory as short as one of those yellow carp things you keep as pets, I forgot. Sorry: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqPcqol9p7RlpK8

[@goranritterfeldt2608]

As always well done Take care Göran in Latvia

[@AndyBanner]

Thank you very much!

[@goranritterfeldt2608]

But you are worth it!

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

bloody hell Andy - where were all the students? Were you there while Tipping Point was on or something?! UAE was on my shortlist when studying A levels 350 years ago. I didn't go there. Anyway, some nice spots and shots 🙂

[@AndyBanner]

They were all hiding down that stairwell you commented on via Instagram. Huddled around a phone playing Tipping Point. ;-)

[@luzr6613]

I think that was a clever turn of phrase, Andy, and i think i might borrow it myself: given the investment in Brutalism in the Soviet Union and its satellites - referring to a building as being 'Slabic': you're onto something!

[@AndyBanner]

I was curious over this having read your comment and went looking in the OED for the official definition of "slabic" only to find that it's just not there. There is no official word "slabic". Of course, there is Slabic font, but that's only since 2003. I have invented a word!

[@Bimnobodyleave]

Wooo gender fluid photographers! Yesss