Kenny Irby has traveled the world, served as photo manager for the ’96 and ‘02 Olympic Games and worked as a photo editor with Newsday, where he contributed to three Pulitzer Prize-winning projects. Now he’s Visual Journalism group leader at Poynter, and here are some of his secrets to achieving the perfect shot:
• Shoot when Light is on Your Side. The best time to take your perfect picture is early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, when the light is most compelling. “The light at these two times of day will work with you, not against you, making your job easier. The light here will be more complimentary.”
• Combat Harsh Lighting with a Little Scotch Tape. “Place two strips of Scotch tape over your flash, and you’ll diffuse that bright harsh light, making it more natural, more convincing,” Irby said. “This is a great little trick because the effect you get with your flash is a spotlight effect. All of the light is coming from one place. Unless you’re trapped in the Spanish Inquisition, most of us don’t spend our life under interrogation, under the spotlight.”
• Access is Essential. “The most effective picture stories are documented from the inside, not from the outside looking in,” Irby said. “Don’t be afraid to get close to your subjects, get inside their world.”
“Listen to the people around you, care about what’s happening, and they will be much more giving. The more they give, the better your story.”
• Don’t Rely Too Much on Photoshop. Computer editing software is great, but Irby warns that it isn’t the end all and be all of the editing process. “There are some things you need to do right the first time,” Irby said. “Avoid errors the computer can’t correct by finding your perfect shot before you shoot it.”
