Focus on the Details

Photograph and Post Process your images to focus on all the details!

First - Study your subject

We can all shoot a beautiful forest vista or a rose growing in a garden. But stand still for a moment and assess your subject. What are the key features; could they be tiny water drops, a curl of a petal, or the texture being highlighted by the afternoon sunlight? First, look for the details that tell the story of your subject. 

Second - Composition and Focal Point

Composition and focal point will help you showcase the details you just discovered in step one. Composing your image to bring out even the smallest details will take your pictures to the next level. Try moving yourself or the camera to compose the part of the image that you want to enhance. Placing the necessary image details on the rule of thirds or trying to fill the frame with the subject these compositions will make the details stand out. 

Using spot focus will help you place the emphasis exactly where you want the viewer’s eye to go. Get creative! The focal point and composition do not have to be standard. For example, you don’t have to have the center of a flower in focus if the details in the edges are where you want the viewer to focus. You found the details in step one, so now compose and focus on those details. An image with solid detail also does not have to have complete focus - front to back. A picture can be strong with a focus on the details and the rest of the image soft and dreamy. 

Third - Perspective

Try shooting with different perspectives as you photograph your image and focus on the detail. This is a great tool to help you achieve a unique composition. Shooting from above or underneath the subject can help you achieve a fantastic image showcasing the details. Move around the subject if possible to find that unique view that showcases the subject’s details. 

Fourth - Focus Stacking 

Focus stacking is a good tool to ensure your image is sharp front to back. This technique is where you shoot multiple images moving the focus point as you shoot and then combining the image in post-processing. This is an excellent way to get front-to-back focus and works nicely when there are a lot of details in the subject that you want to bring out. 


Lastly - Post Processing

Once you have captured a stunning image full of details, you want to bring those out post-processing. The first place to start is by adding some clarity or texture to the image. A mask tool to selectively add those techniques helps you make a significant impact. 

Programs like Topaz Studio 2 or Topaz AI Sharpen can also help bring out details. These programs are very powerful, so a bit of sharpening can go a long way. 

In Photoshop, you can also use a High Pass adjustment to bring out subtle details. Check out how to use this tool in this video. 

Beyond enhancing the details of your image with clarity and texture, you can also think about the image’s colors. Saturate the area around the details and then desaturate the rest of the image. Adding a vignette will also bring a focus to the details. 


Next time you shoot, take a few minutes to think about what details you want to enhance, compose your image with those details in mind, and try different perspectives and focal points. Then once you have a great picture, bring out those details with a post-processing program. 

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