
WHAT IS PHOTOGENIC, in terms of Photography ?
The term, photogenic, is subjective and defies description. Photogenic qualities however are more easily defined. The list below should not be considered a hard rule, but rather as general description- there are always exceptions. Take a smile for example, an authentic human smile is one of life’s most basic, beautiful and photogenic qualities, yet a forced smile is simply phony. And remember, a photogenic subject photographed in an unphotogenic setting often results in an ineffective presentation.

PHOTOGENIC (UNPHOTOGENIC)
Simplicity (Complexity)
Contrast
Detail
Shadows (Lack of shadows -no depth)
Clarity (Disorder -lacks clarity)
Form
Texture
Close-ups (Wide views -lacks detail)
Pattern
Highlight
Outline
Depth
Motion
Spontaneity
Authenticity (Set ups- lacks authenticity)
Decisive moments
Photographic clichés are usually very photogenic subjects that have been photographed so much that their impact has been lost.

-Michael Quinton Slana, Alaska
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