The enjoyment of photography changes with "analysis" | Photo analysis techniques to improve your skills

The joy of taking photographs isn't just about pressing the shutter button. By carefully analyzing the photos you've taken and honing your skills, you can significantly improve the quality of your work.

When I first started taking photos, I just took pictures based on instinct (and I still value my instincts).

However, once I started analyzing my photos while reflecting on that feeling, the speed at which I improved changed dramatically.

Why "analysis" is the shortcut to improvement

When people want to improve their photography skills, many first focus on "taking more pictures." Certainly, gaining experience is important. However, even if you keep taking thousands of photos using the same method, you may not be able to break through a plateau.

The key to breaking through that barrier is "analysis." Instead of just looking at a photo you've taken and thinking, "It's kind of good," or "It's kind of so-so," you need to understand why you feel that way. When you can explain that in your own words, your photography will improve dramatically. I believe that what sets photographers apart isn't the number of shots taken, but the resolution of each individual image.

Analysis isn't about blaming failures; it's a process for thinking about "how to shoot next time." When viewed this way, failed photos become the best learning tools. Before I started photography, I was involved in snowboarding, sponsored by multiple manufacturers.

When learning a new technique, I didn't just try it over and over. I practiced while analyzing each step, such as "why I failed" and "how to move my body to change the axis of rotation."

The same applies to photography. It's not just about taking a lot of pictures; reflecting on the results significantly impacts the rate of your growth.

Five steps of technical analysis

There's no need to overthink it. Just by keeping these five steps in mind, you can simultaneously improve your observational skills and photography abilities.

• 01. Check the exposure.

  Check the balance of light and shadow, and whether highlights are blown out or shadows are crushed.

• 02. Consider the composition

  Put into words, in your own words, the reason why you felt "good".

• 03. Focus

  Is the focus on the intended area? (If it is in focus, the next step is to check if the depth of field is appropriate.)

• 04. Analyzing Light

  Observe the effects of light direction, quality, and color temperature on the subject. (Don't overthink it; for example, use backlighting to include the sun for a striking effect, or the soft light of morning, or a warm color temperature for a cozy feel.)

• 05. Compare intentions with results

  Check for discrepancies between the intention at the time of shooting and the actual finished product.

  

  

  

These five steps don't have to be followed in order. The key to making the analysis last is to start with the point that you find most interesting.

The correct answer for composition is "it feels good."

The rule of thirds, diagonals, the centered composition—when you start learning photography, you'll encounter many rules of composition. But, to be honest , memorizing rules isn't necessarily the shortcut to taking good photos.

I hardly ever "think" about the composition. I look through the viewfinder and press the shutter at the moment I feel "good."

People who trust their own eyes are more likely to take interesting photos than those who know the rules of composition .

The reason is that the rules of composition represent the "average" that many people find pleasing. Following the rule of thirds results in a well-proportioned photograph. However, being well-proportioned also means that photographs tend to look similar no matter who takes them. I feel that people who trust their own eyes often end up taking more interesting photographs than those who simply know the rules.

Trusting your instincts is what makes you unique.

The balance of a composition that I find "just right" is unique to me. It's the slightly off-center placement of negative space, the positioning of the main subject , the atmosphere I capture within the frame. It's these subtle deviations that create photographs that stand out from others. This cherished sense of aesthetics is directly reflected in my own work.

Even when working with a global camera manufacturer, what they were looking for wasn't the "correct" composition. It was the unique perspective—the view only that person can see, the worldview only that person can capture. I feel that the bigger the project, the more they're looking for that.

Yoshiki Fujiwara's Main Achievements

▶ Official Photographer for the SONY RX1R III Global Launch Campaign

Responsible for landscape and environmental photography. Provided promotional images for global YouTube announcement videos and international product catalogs.

▶ DxO Official Global Ambassador (2024-)

Only about seven people worldwide were selected. The landscape photographs they provided were used on the DxO PhotoLab startup screen, official website, and promotional videos.

▶ CP+ Guest Speaker (Appearing for the 4th consecutive year)

He has spoken at CP+, Japan's largest camera and imaging exhibition. He has spoken at OM SYSTEM every year since 2023, delivering keynote speeches and seminars on landscape photography and creative workflows, alongside DxO Labs, H&Y Filters, and SIGMA.

▶ TAMRON 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Official Review & Promotion

I was responsible for the official review images and promotional content for the lens release. These were published on Tamron's official product impression page.

▶ OM SYSTEM Official Sample Images & Product Review

We provide official sample image and review content for the OM-3 camera system and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm F2.8 lens. These can be used for promotional materials and product catalogs. Knowledge of composition is certainly important. But ultimately, I believe what makes a photograph appealing is the sense of "what you find beautiful." 💡Practical Tip After taking a photo, try putting into words just "why this feels good." You don't need to fit it into any rules. "There's a sense of atmosphere around the subject," "The viewer's gaze seems to flow to the right"—your own words are enough. By repeating this, it will become a skill that allows you to reproduce that feeling.

You should only use composition rules as a reference when you're stuck. First and foremost, try trusting your own eyes more.

How to analyze "exposure," a common stumbling block for beginners.

The technical foundation of photography is exposure. The ISO-aperture-shutter speed triangle is well-known, but from an "analysis" perspective, it's more important to practice reading "what's happening as a result" than to focus on the numbers themselves.

Make histograms your ally

Histograms in cameras and Lightroom are graphs that objectively show the exposure status. If the peak of the histogram is skewed to the left, the image is dark (underexposed); if it is skewed to the right, it is bright (overexposed). If both ends are cut off, it is a sign that information has been lost.

The important thing is not to aim for the "correct histogram," but to check whether the tone is what you intended . If you're photographing a city at night, it's fine to lean left. If you're photographing bright spring flowers, leaning right is more natural. 💡Practical Tip: Compare the histograms of photos you like and photos you don't like. The differences will give you a starting point for verbalizing your thoughts.

Intermediate level: Putting the "quality" of light into words

Once you gain some experience taking photos, you'll realize that the "quality of light" has a greater impact on the impression of a photograph than the exposure value. Is it the soft, diffused light of a cloudy sky? Or the harsh, direct sunlight of a sunny afternoon? Being able to articulate these differences will dramatically change your choice of location and time of day.

Simply looking at your own photographs and putting into words things like, "Where is this light coming from?" and "Are the shadows sharp or soft?" will surprisingly quickly develop your ability to interpret light.

When looking at other people's photos, I only consider "the reason why their hands stopped moving."

The subjects of your analysis aren't limited to your own photos. Works by your favorite photographers and photos you've seen on social media are also excellent learning materials.

However, there's no need to overthink it. The moment you're browsing social media and you stop and think, "Oh, this photo is nice," that's your chance to analyze it. "Was it because the light was beautiful?" "Was it because you liked the colors?" "Was it because you were drawn to the atmosphere?"

Simply muttering that reason to yourself is enough. That alone will allow you to naturally accumulate the techniques and sensibilities of others within yourself.

Relaxed personal rules for continuing "analysis" without feeling overwhelmed.

Analysis is only meaningful if it's done consistently. However, setting a rule like "analyze 10 sheets every day" won't last long. It's okay to be more relaxed about it.

I only think "why?" at the moment of selection.

When choosing your favorite photo, take just one second to consider, "Why did I want to keep this photo?" That alone is enough analysis.

Let's try to salvage just one of the rejected photos.

When you open your photo editing software (like Lightroom), deliberately choose just one "slightly mediocre photo" that you would normally pass by, and experiment with changing the cropping or exposure to see "how to make it look good." Doing it like a game is the best way to improve your skills.

Summary | "Analysis" will make you love photography even more

The term "technical analysis" might sound intimidating, but its essence is simply asking yourself "why?" about your own photographs.

There's a reason behind every photo you like, and every one you fail at. Try putting those reasons into words, even just a little. By repeating this process, your intuition will transform into a skill you can reproduce.

Try opening just one photo you took today. Then, think about "Why did I want to keep this photo?" That one photo will be the best learning tool for your future growth.