Choosing the best photo for your clock

The process of creating a clock from an ordinary photograph is quite involved and requires a great deal of photo editing.  Fortunately, The Clock Lady takes care of all of that.  All you need to do is choose a photo that can be transformed into a clock.
Choosing a great photo for a clock is a bit different than just picking your favorite.  In general, photos that work best feature:

• A vertically oriented subject that is relatively narrow.
• A full body, from head to toe, with no limbs cut off.
• Lots of empty space around the subject.
• A background that is free of distractions and relatively consistent.
• Contrast between the subject and the background.
• Eye contact, when appropriate.
• High resolution.

For more detail, look at the photos below.  Each pair of photos illustrates one or more of the concepts listed above.  In each case, the photo on the right is the better photo for creating a clock.  Use this information as a guide, but remember that there really are no hard and fast rules when it comes to art.  Some problems can be corrected with photo editing, while others cannot.  Funny things happen when you repeat the same photo twelve times and minor flaws become major issues.  After you’ve reviewed the information on this page, your goal is to select one to three of your favorite photographs, based on what you’ve learned.  You’ll then email them to The Clock Lady so she can make the final analysis.

The most important thing to keep in mind when selecting your photo(s) is that the subject needs to be vertically oriented and relatively narrow.  In simple terms, you are looking for something that is taller than it is wide.  While the photo on the left is a fun shot, the man’s arms are extended outward much too far to fit in the confines of a clock segment.  In addition, since the camera was held in a horizontal position, the lower half of his body was cut off.  If this photo had been taken vertically to include his full body, it would most likely have worked well.  The photo on the right is a much better choice for a clock.  The woman, our subject, is vertically oriented and relatively narrow; she’s taller than she is wide.  In addition, her full body is visible, her arms are close to her sides and there is empty space around her.  This photo made a wonderful clock!

The concept of a vertically oriented subject is very important when applied to dogs and cats.  In order to get an image that is taller than it is wide, it is necessary to take the photo from the front, with your pet standing or sitting, facing you straight on.  Side views of animals rarely make good clocks because four-legged creatures are just too wide when viewed from the side.  The puppy on the right is facing the camera straight on.  The dog on the left is turned slightly.  The angle is subtle, but makes a big difference when turned into a clock.  Again, note that the subject of the photo on the right is taller than it is wide.

Here’s the same concept when applied to horses.  The rider on the right is moving toward the camera as he comes over the jump, so this photo would yield a wonderful clock.  The photographer was shooting from the side of the jump for the photo on the left, so the image is too wide.

Look through these three sets of photos again and you might notice that one of the good photos on the right has a few minor flaws.  Did you notice that the one of the puppy’s paws is cut off?  In addition, the backgound has some distracting elements.  Both of these issues were corrected with photo editing to create a beautiful clock.  Remember, some problems can be fixed.  Every photo will need some degree of photo editing, even the ones that are “perfect”.  The one issue that can not be corrected, however, is a subject that is too wide.  Each clock segment is a very narrow area and the subject of your photo must fit within this confided space.

Choosing a photo with a simple backgound is also important for creating a beautiful clock.  Once again, the photo on the left is a fun shot, but the background has too many distracting elements.  To make matters worse, many of the distractions are very close to the subject and would be very difficult to correct with photo editing.  Editing of this type is very time consuming and may result in additional charges.  The photo on the right would be a much better choice since there are fewer distractions and those that are present are not close to the subject.

When looking at the background of your photos, a very important thing to consider is whether or not it is consistent from left to right behind the subject.  The photo on the left has a backgound that is not terribly busy, but there is a noticable difference between the sky on the left when compared to the rest of the backgound.  Even though the difference is not dramatic, the change in color and brightness will become much more apparent when repeated twelve times.  Clocks made with backgrounds like this are difficult to read because they confuse the eye.  The photo on the right has a background that is much more consistent from left to right and will make a much better clock.

Look at the two clocks below to see the impact.  Both clocks were created from the same photo.  The clock on the left is from the original, unretouched image.  See how everything looks off?  The clock almost seems to lean to the right and it’s difficult to determine where the hours are positioned.  Your eye is drawn to the difference between the black and white portions of the background, instead of to the puppy’s face.  The same image, after extensive photo editing, makes a wonderful clock that is easy to read.  Editing of this type is very time consuming and may result in additional charges.

Contrast refers to the relative difference between your subject and the background in regard to light and color.  A subject that blends into the background, like the photo on the left, will not produce a good clock.  Note how the dog’s body on the left side of this photo is lost in shadow and becomes virtually invisible against the dark background.  The dog in the photo on the right stands out from the background.  You can see where the background ends and the dog begins.

The degree of contrast will greatly affect the overall feel of your clock.  A photo with dramatic contrast, as in the first example below, will produce a rather eye-popping clock that has a modern or graphic look.  A photo with a moderate amount of contrast, as in the second example below, will produce a clock that is more understated and elegant. 

The final thing to consider when selecting your photo is resolution, the number of pixels per inch.  In very simple terms, resolution is the amount of detail within the image.  An image that has low resolution, such as those commonly found on the internet, will appear grainy when enlarged.  The edges within the photo will appear jagged and the details will be blurred, as in the photo on the left, below.  Because it has a higher resolution, the image on the right looks clear, and it will stay that way when it is enlarged.  Technically, there is no way to correct the problem of low resolution, though there are some camouflage techniques that can minimize it. 

Tips for taking a great clock photo:

1. Set your camera to high resolution.

2. Tilt your camera so the image is captured vertically.  This is called “portrait”, as opposed to “landscape”.

3. Photograph the full length of your subject, from head to toe.  Don’t cut them off at the chest, waist, knees or anywhere else.  Be sure to include the front paws of animals.

4. Stand far enough away from your subject to include some background above, below and to both sides.  This “dead space” will help to visually divide the images from each other when your clock is created.

5. Avoid distractions in the background whenever possible.  If you want to include some interest in the background for context, as in a vacation photo, try to keep things relatively simple, neutral and balanced.  For example, if you are vacationing in Paris, the Eiffel Tower should be directly behind your subject, not off to their left or right.  Yes, this will look like the Eiffel Tower is growing out of their head, but that’s better than having a clock that is confusing and off center.

6. Do not place your subject against a background that is too similar in color to their skin, hair or clothing.  The difference does not need to be jarring, but it needs to be enough so you can see where your subject ends and the background begins.

7. Set your camera to high resolution and be sure there is enough light. 

8. If you are taking a close-up (portrait), keep the subject’s shoulders relatively level.  This will be easiest if the subject is facing you straight on.  Also, be aware of the neckline of their clothing; keep ties, necklaces and collars centered. 

9. Make your subject comfortable and be creative, but don’t try to be too artistic when taking your photo.  Forget about all those tips you learned about good composition.  Don’t follow “The Rule of Thirds” and don’t get in close to your subject.

10. Consider using props to tell the story and add interest.  If Mom loves gardening, have her hold a shovel or bouquet of flowers.  If your son plays basketball, put him in his uniform and have him hold a basketball at his chest or over his head.  Whatever props you use, be sure to have your subject hold them in line with the center of their body, not off to one side or the other.