Layers of Impact – What’s Your Hook?

Want to make stronger photographs? Consider your layers of impact—or the power of three. Let me explain. Few photographs are truly compelling to us because of just one thing. A person, a landscape, a beautiful bird. Beautiful on its own, perhaps, but once it becomes a photograph, we usually need more. An interesting person in great light, with a great spark in their eyes? Now, that we can connect with. A dramatic mountain with an interesting foreground that leads us into the scene, all in soft warm light? Oh, hell yes! Two birds with blue feathers against an orange background and a moment of tension hanging in the air between them? Yes, please. More of that!Now, this is just a theory, so if you prefer my ideas a little less half-baked, then I’ll make it up to you next time. I’ve been noodling on this a while, and I’m convinced there’s something to it: a strong photograph needs to work for three reasons, not one. So often I look at a photograph that isn’t working for me and the only…