Tag Archives: design

Night Shots

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Update – March 2018

After dinner photography.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel Loiselle

Let’s face it, night photos are exciting and demand to be noticed. This image of the Canadian Parliament with full moon and lights certainly gets our attention. When you need drama on a cover page, consider using a night shot. It could go a long way to deliver the right message to your targeted reader.

Stock photography by Michel LoiselleTake a look a what dark images can accomplish. This small town church does not have the same impact during the day. The stark contrast between black and colored light is amplified bringing more definition to your subject.

Stock photography by Michel LoiselleRemember that night shots portray different moods and can wake up feelings in people’s minds. A night photo says, “look here now” and we always do. Also, viewing a night image always seems to be done in slow motion, as we want to get it all in and study every light pattern and beautiful colors.

Evening, Dusk, Dawn and Twilight

Stock photography by Michel LoiselleLooking here, notice that it’s not quite nighttime. The sky isn’t black yet and lights seem to be more intense against the blue sky. At dusk or magic hour, images take on an unrealistic feel and seem to say so much more.

Stock photography by Michel LoiselleThis example, taken at dusk is also a conceptual image making it that much stronger. Conceptual photos let people imagine what the visual is portraying. Photos like these are ideal for editorial content when you want to deliver drama. A visual for a prison story for example. Below, we see the Zakim bridge in Boston, also at dusk. It was inspiring to see the lights along with the blue sky. Photos like these are always pleasing and fun to take. So grab the camera, find a subject and head out an hour before sunset and watch the magic begin!

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Ottawa Stock Photos by Michel Loiselle

Dawn, the beginning of twilight is also a great time to take photos as seen here with the National Gallery of Canada and the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa. You’ll agree that it warrants a second look. Now we’ve seen night, dawn and dusk. But there’s more.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel Loiselle

Don’t forget about black & white photography. Besides being a night image, this Canada Day shot is also very powerful as a greyscale photo. Do consider including black & whites in your reports. I invite you to see the Canadian Parliament collection for more wonderful gothic architecture photography.

The photos in this blog are part of the Portfolio offered by Michel Loiselle. Images start at $12 and are available for immediate download. You can also obtain Extended and Multi-user licenses.

Stock photography by Michel Loiselle

Thank you for visiting and have an excellent day! uh night!

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OTHER POSTS BY MICHEL LOISELLE

Tulips on Parliament Hill – The West Block of Canada – 7 Year Parliament Project – Politically Speaking – Canada in One Photo – Design and Imaging — Haunted Castle — Night Shots — Hey That’s My Image — My Canadian Pride Is Showing — Canada Day on Parliament Hill — Images in Color and in Stereo – 5 Reasons to Use Photos — Gargoyles on Parliament Hill – Christmas on Parliament Hill – Live Music is Always Best – The Confederation Building

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Exposing Parliament

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Update – March 2018

I’m exposing Parliament Hill. See it for what it really is – beautiful gothic castles in the middle of downtown Ottawa. Of course, many locals take the architecture for granted as it’s there everyday.

This image, Corner Politics, taken from Wellington and O’Connor streets, concentrates on the West Block with the Peace Tower in the background. It’s not an angle you see every day. Below, the same scene is depicted at night to give you design choices. For more on this building, read my post The West Block of Canada.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel Loiselle

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel Loiselle

Many of the photos here are ideal for canadian documents. They can lend some authenticity to your written word by giving substance. Adding photography to reports slows the reader while lending a more positive experience.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel LoiselleHere, we see the roof of the Library of Parliament. Its original architecture is so unique, you can’t help but want to see it up close. What goes on inside is a complete research service for parliamentarians. Read about it in my Library of Parliament photo feature.

Although I am a local myself, I’ve been looking at Parliament through the eyes of a tourist and photographing my findings in a collection since 2006. I’m always amazed at how wonderful the architecture is during any season and at any time of day. I’ve found some interesting angles and different themes to help with your page layouts. For more on different views of Parliament see my post 7 Year Parliament Project.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel LoiselleConsider original images such as this one, East Block Tower, seen from the unicorn gargoyle’s point of view. Again, not an everyday photo. These types of images give variety and originality to your reports.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel LoiselleLooking behind Parliament, here we see part of the Library of Parliament, the Peace Tower and the statue of Thomas D’arcy McGee. The flag is ever present and the late-day sun is shining  just right on the gothic architecture.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel Loiselle

Meanwhile, on the Peace Tower, we can see many grotesque and gargoyle sculptures. If you’re curious about these beasts, read my post Gargoyles on Parliament Hill to get the story.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel Loiselle

Featuring the Parliament during different seasons is a great way to add varations to your documents and reports. Here, hundreds of tulips complement our institution. I invite you to read my post Tulips on Parliament Hill to see how nature and architecture get along in Spring.

The images in this blog are taken from the Canadian Parliament photo collection. It contains over 200 parliamentary images in categories such as Canada Day, Christmas on the Hill, Silhouettes, Indoors, Evenings, Nights and Seasons. Images start at $12 and are available for immediate download. Multi-user licensing is available.

Thank you for reading.

Michel – Website

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OTHER POSTS BY MICHEL LOISELLE

Knowing our Parliamentary Precinct — Tulips on Parliament Hill – The West Block of Canada – 7 Year Parliament Project – Politically Speaking – Canada in One Photo –  Design and Imaging — Haunted Castle — Night Shots — Hey That’s My Image — My Canadian Pride Is Showing — Canada Day on Parliament Hill — Images in Color and in Stereo – 5 Reasons to Use Photos — Gargoyles on Parliament Hill – Christmas on Parliament Hill — Live Music is Always Best — The Confederation Building — The Supreme Court of Canada

Conceptual Imaging

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Concepting with stock photography — by Michel Loiselle

Update: March 2017

Stock photography by Michel Loiselle

The conceptual image is one that lets you interpret the scene in many ways. Someone thinks one thing while someone else’s idea is the opposite. See the process with this photo. Here we have colorful tents lined-up (to accommodate different schools visiting a water park). Someone else says it reminds them of crayon tips in the sky. Another thinks of the circus, etc. It could mean the 5 elements of your company Vision Statement. The many interpretations make it a strong candidate for conceptual imaging.

Conceptual photos by Michel Loiselle

When graphic designers need inspiration, they turn to conceptual imaging to communicate complex ideas. The Lakeside Chairs image fills that need. You may want to portray teamwork or total zen, no matter, it will communicate strongly. The key is to keep the image generic and let the viewer fill in the blanks.

Conceptual photos by Michel Loiselle

Of course this is a whole new look at duets. The mom and daughter team could be used for parties, events, office gags, etc. A conceptual photo can generate so many different feelings and ideas.

Conceptual photos by Michel Loiselle

This image, Barbed Wire Life – from the Colors collection does the same thing. An ideal candidate for editorial tie-ins like for a prison life feature article. That’s why creatives and business professionals come back to conceptual imagery for their special projects.


These golf balls are a perfect example of a conceptual image. Although it only shows coloured balls, the different one invites all kinds of concepts. You’re probably thinking of one now. Here is a caption that could work: “There’s One In Every Family”. Other scenarios could be “Standing Out In A Crowd”, “Be original”, “Star Employees Always Stand Out!”. Finding conceptual photos gets easier with practice.

Conceptual photos by Michel Loiselle

This image is powerful on its own, but when we add the cancer logo to this Boxing Gloves image, it makes it stronger. No words needed here! We don’t have to be complicated. Some photos are so visual and poweful, your mind takes milliseconds to decipher the message.

A monochrome shot of hanging boxing gloves.

 

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No matter how you look at this “flags” lineup, it’s a striking example of a conceptual image that demands attention. Here are possible scenarios that the concept can communicate.

“All Eyes On Canada” – “Canada & Friends” – “Canada Is Hosting The World” etc.

So, conceptual images need to be simple and powerful. You’ll know one when you see it. The ideal place to study photos for potential candidates, is a stock photo agency. There, you can take your time and find the right photo. You can also type “concept” in your search to get those images that have been tagged conceptual.

Conceptual photos by Michel Loiselle

Practice looking beyond the image for tie-ins to your projects

Look at images and concept them for yourself, it’s fun and gets easier with practice.

Conceptual photos by Michel Loiselle This image I call Freedom as that was my intent when shooting it and I also know that my cousin Gary can’t go swimming until the leg is off! For him, it’s the freedom to swim.

Thank you and have an excellent evening

Michel

OTHER POSTS BY MICHEL LOISELLE

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Knowing our Parliamentary Precinct — Tulips on Parliament Hill – The West Block of Canada – 7 Year Parliament Project – Politically Speaking – Canada in One Photo –  Design and Imaging — Haunted Castle — Night Shots — Hey That’s My Image — My Canadian Pride Is Showing — Canada Day on Parliament Hill — Images in Color and in Stereo – 5 Reasons to Use Photos — Gargoyles on Parliament Hill – Christmas on Parliament Hill — Live Music is Always Best — The Confederation Building — The Supreme Court of Canada

Working With Designers

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UPDATE – March 2018

Anatomy of a Parliament photo

The Canadian Parliament in winter at dusk in Ottawa, Canada. Photo by Michel LoiselleI provide stock photos to art/creative directors, graphic designers and business professionals. When creating images, I think of what the designer may need even before I take the shot. As a graphic designer myself, most times, I’ll need to add text and title such as for this coffee table book project.

Consider this image: Path to Politics, from the Canadian Parliament photo collection. It’s ideal for a Powerpoint title page or report cover. Simple is key. The Parliament is lit just enough without having blown highlights and the magic hour is just starting; not too dark, not too light. The rock creates tension and reinforces a low perspective view. The winter season brings a crisp, cool feel to the piece. Finally, a beaten path shows that many people walk here, while the sunset is placed to promote left-to-right viewing. See what I mean with this visual.

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The shot was taken with designers in mind. There is plenty of copy space on top and bottom; the image works well. When shooting, I’m thinking of these concepts to help creatives achieve their communications objectives.

Canadian Parliament photos by Michel LoiselleHere is a fictitious layout to help us visualize a project. Once we see the possibilities, it becomes easier to select cover photos, not just for their attractiveness, but for their overall functionality.

Even with text, the piece doesn’t feel crowded or overdone. With a few tweaks, this could work out quite well.

The Canadian Parliament in winter, seen from Major's Hill Park in Ottawa. Photo by Michel LoiselleProviding Options

Designers need variety, so I like to create a series on a same theme. By providing similar scenes, you get more options, like this vertical image of the same location in the morning. Same principle here, space for text on top and bottom. Horizontal and vertical photo solutions just make sense. Taking this a step further, another photo shows the rock in summer. As a photographer/designer I ensure that these choices are available.

Taking it Further

Now we’veCanadian Parliament photos by Michel Loiselle gone full circle and finished the product in the new layout. We did not resize any of the elements; just a few positioning adjustments and the job is almost done.

In these situations, the landscape cover could be used for Powerpoint while the vertical version is ideal for a report cover or poster. This way, consistency is preserved and the pieces take on a more branded feel.

When I’m photographing, I sometimes picture the textual information in my mind in order to get the perfect cover page image.

See the Canadian Parliament photo collection for more turn-key visuals.

Thanks for visiting and have a great evening.

Michel

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OTHER POSTS BY MICHEL LOISELLE

Knowing our Parliamentary Precinct — Tulips on Parliament Hill – The West Block of Canada – 7 Year Parliament Project – Politically Speaking – Canada in One Photo –  Design and Imaging — Haunted Castle — Night Shots — Hey That’s My Image — My Canadian Pride Is Showing — Canada Day on Parliament Hill — Images in Color and in Stereo – 5 Reasons to Use Photos — Gargoyles on Parliament Hill – Christmas on Parliament Hill — Live Music is Always Best — The Confederation Building — The Supreme Court of Canada