10 Tips for Shooting for Graphic Textures

In these economic times, photographers everywhere are diving into forms of photography previously left unexplored. Capturing images for use in marketing and graphic art is one of these unique areas. As more businesses turn to marketing and promotional companies for help to generate sales, there is an increased need for quality imagery.

Graphic artists are always looking for sharp, innovative textures from associate photographers. Texture images are very practically put to use in photo overlays, backgrounds, burning, and a wide variety of other uses. Many graphic artists are specific about the kind of imagery they will use in their art, and often feel that photographers lack perspective that will give quality edge to their imagery.

For advice on texture shots, we turn to an amazing graphic designer from Remnant Productions. This graphic arts studio is in high demand for their quality work – specifically by photographers. Their most recent work includes Dear World, a book combining graphic art and imagery from the street community of Portland, Oregon.

10 Tips for Shooting for Graphic Textures

Remnant Productions has ten tips for photographers to hone their texture skills:

1. Use side light: Side light will always bring out more significant texture than direct lighting.

2. Don’t get too fancy, but shoot with an angle. Remember that there is always a place for the seemingly unoriginal texture of dirt, but don’t be afraid to shoot that dirt from a variety of different angles and positions.

3. Remember that while the image is an essential piece of the work, it is not the only piece. Think about how well the image will blend with text, other images, and layout.

4. Shoot with the highest resolution possible. Graphic artists may take your image and magnify it to emphasize the texture in a piece. This is not possible if your image is low quality.

5. Shoot in unexpected places. Dumps and recycling facilities have a surprising amount of easy-to-spot textures. Metal, wood, plastics, rust – and all in a variety of conditions. These textures are invaluable to graphic artists.

6. Pay attention to color. Graphic artists pay special attention to color theory. As color communicates powerfully in design, be sure to do everything possible to unify the color schemes to your image, and make the color as vivid and vibrant as possible.

7. Look to the skies. A vivid blue sky or dark and stormy clouds always have a place in a graphic artists’ texture library. As these horizon images are often used as backgrounds, be sure to capture in a maximum resolution size.

8. Be a team player. If a graphic artist requests a shot, do whatever you can to understand exactly what he is looking for. Don’t complain if the shot you come back with doesn’t work. Always be willing to go back out and try again.

9. Specifically go for lack of detail. You don’t want a lot of variation in color or pattern. Keep it simple.

10. Shoot your textures in a series. Find a good patch of concrete? Get a series of that concrete in a variety of different places, angles, and position. Then you can offer it as a package.

For more ideas from Remnant Productions; favorite texture photographer, check out: LostandTaken.com