# Photography Direction

> Art direction for photo selection, editing standards, and visual storytelling through imagery.

- Skill: `dragoon0x/photography-direction` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dragoon0x/photography-direction`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dragoon0x/photography-direction/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: dragoon0x (https://skillmd.com/u/dragoon0x)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dragoon0x/photography-direction

---


# Photography Direction

## Defining a Photo Style

### Mood Board First
Before selecting any photos, define:
- **Lighting:** Natural vs studio, warm vs cool, high-key vs low-key
- **Composition:** Centered vs rule-of-thirds, close-up vs environmental
- **Color grading:** Warm, cool, desaturated, high-contrast, film-like
- **Subject:** People, objects, environments, abstract
- **Energy:** Calm, energetic, contemplative, dynamic

### Style Categories
| Style | Characteristics | Best For |
|-------|----------------|----------|
| Editorial | High contrast, dramatic lighting, strong composition | Luxury, fashion, premium brands |
| Documentary | Natural light, candid, unposed | Authentic, mission-driven brands |
| Product | Clean, controlled, focus on the object | E-commerce, SaaS features |
| Lifestyle | Natural, aspirational, people in context | Consumer brands, wellness |
| Abstract | Textures, shapes, macro, atmospheric | Tech, creative, conceptual |
| Minimal | Lots of negative space, simple subjects | Premium, clean brands |

## Photo Selection Criteria

### Technical
- Resolution sufficient for intended use (2x for retina)
- Sharp focus on the subject
- No distracting artifacts or compression
- Appropriate aspect ratio for the layout

### Compositional
- Clear subject/focal point
- Background doesn't compete with subject
- Enough negative space for text overlay (if needed)
- Works at multiple crop ratios for responsive use

### Brand Fit
- Matches defined mood and color direction
- Consistent with other images in the same context
- Avoids stock photo cliches (handshake, pointing at screen, diverse group laughing at laptop)
- Represents intended audience authentically

## Stock Photo Rules
- Avoid obviously staged/posed shots
- Avoid watermarked previews in mockups
- Prefer photography from smaller, curated libraries over mega-stock sites
- If using AI-generated images, ensure no artifacts (wrong fingers, text gibberish, uncanny expressions)
- Always check licensing for intended commercial use