How to Choose a Subject and Build a Beautiful Shot

Building a portfolio, finding what matters to you

• How to find a story in any scene

• Composition rules that make photos pop

• Working with what you have: light, space, subject

Great photos don’t happen by accident - they’re built with intention. Choosing the right subject and setting the scene is where creativity meets technique, and it’s one of the most important lessons you’ll learn with TMac.

First, let’s talk subject. Whether it’s a person, a flower, a crumbling building, or your morning coffee, the subject should tell a story or evoke a feeling. In class, TMac teaches you how to find interesting subjects in everyday places. You’ll start noticing patterns, contrasts, textures, and light in ways you never did before.

Then comes the scene. This is where composition and light come together to elevate your photo from “eh” to “wow.” You’ll learn how to use leading lines, symmetry, negative space, and the rule of thirds to bring attention exactly where you want it. You'll also explore how background elements either support or distract from your subject.

TMac will guide you through scene-building exercises - both indoors and outdoors - so you can practice setting the stage and adjusting on the fly. Whether you're shooting a still life in your kitchen or a portrait in downtown Akron, you’ll know how to make the environment work for you.

And here's the key: it's not about perfection. It's about intention. What do you want your viewer to feel? Where should their eye go first? These are questions every photographer asks, and you’ll learn how to answer them with confidence.