What makes a great photograph "great"?
Jan 14, 2014 13:36:17 #
In music, one of the litmus tests for "great" music is that every time you listen to it, you hear something new and fresh. Another test is; does it remain interesting over the course of many years or even centuries? I suppose these same criteria translate to great photographs and somehow the rules of composition fit into the equation also. But then, we sometimes call a photograph "great" even when it breaks all the rules of composition. I think of the works of Ansel Adams and other masters and was wondering what some of you UHH'ers feel makes their work (or even some of our own images) worthy of the classification of "great"?
Jan 14, 2014 13:38:45 #
That is very subjective. As the old saying goes, "One person's trash is another's treasure"
Jan 14, 2014 14:01:06 #
I hear this all the time, "I shoot only for myself, I don't have to please anyone else".
READ, my work sucks, but I'm happy with it.
A great shot, regardless of rules etc., has to WOW a great slice of the public. Regardless of the light, the shadow or the composition, all of that only matters to those that understand such things.
It is when the general populace, can be mesmerized by a pic, that the pic has really arrived.
A photo can be very simple, or very complex, it doesn't matter, a great shot has the same affect on a high percentage of viewers. I have not outlined any rules or about composition, surely those aspects are there, but they are irrelevant, to the layperson, who sees only the impact of the foto, and is thus drawn to it. They don't even have to like it, but it still moves them. ;-)
SS
READ, my work sucks, but I'm happy with it.
A great shot, regardless of rules etc., has to WOW a great slice of the public. Regardless of the light, the shadow or the composition, all of that only matters to those that understand such things.
It is when the general populace, can be mesmerized by a pic, that the pic has really arrived.
A photo can be very simple, or very complex, it doesn't matter, a great shot has the same affect on a high percentage of viewers. I have not outlined any rules or about composition, surely those aspects are there, but they are irrelevant, to the layperson, who sees only the impact of the foto, and is thus drawn to it. They don't even have to like it, but it still moves them. ;-)
SS
Jan 14, 2014 14:26:51 #
Jan 14, 2014 14:44:08 #
That's partially true. The photo must generate interest, be it positive or negative. A photo that generates no interest isn't "great"....That said, there is also the old adage that color will sell a color image, but composition is what sells a B&W image...
JPL wrote:
What makes a photograph "great" is that people like it.
Jan 14, 2014 15:09:12 #
People liking it is the key I believe...I have won several comps, state and nationally, with pics I thought were not all that good but the judges thought otherwise...even on UHH I have posted pics that seemed OK but not brilliant and have received more pages of positive comment than others that I thought were better...
Jan 14, 2014 15:14:39 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Dbez1 wrote:
In music, one of the litmus tests for "great&... (show quote)
I would call them composition guidelines, and the pictures you describe as "breaking" them tend to do so with intent.
Jan 14, 2014 15:18:09 #
There are probably as many answers to this as there are photographers. But one of the things that always brings a smile to my face, is when I show someone a two dimensional photo, and they touch it to feel the texture.
Jan 14, 2014 16:47:33 #
JPL wrote:
What makes a photograph "great" is that people like it.
That's about as good of an explanation as any.
Jan 14, 2014 17:04:36 #
I like your question. In my view, any photograph that "picks" at the viewers inner emotions is the start of a great photograph. Creations that moves the viewer or listener into another zone of reality, reawakens a past experience or moves a person into contemplative thought are also markers of an excellent photograph, piece of music, poetry or other art.
Jan 14, 2014 17:09:11 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Kingmapix wrote:
I like your question. In my view, any photograph that "picks" at the viewers inner emotions is the start of a great photograph. Creations that moves the viewer or listener into another zone of reality, reawakens a past experience or moves a person into contemplative thought are also markers of an excellent photograph, piece of music, poetry or other art.
:thumbup:
Jan 14, 2014 17:39:23 #
Dbez1 wrote:
In music, one of the litmus tests for "great&... (show quote)
A slightly different take that equates "great" with "memorable."
http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/2955/how-to-take-memorable-photos/
Jan 14, 2014 18:04:23 #
Dbez1 wrote:
In music, one of the litmus tests for "great&... (show quote)
There are no rules on 'Great" It's basically an opinion, which can (and often does) change. If a bunch of critics thinks 'A" is great and another bunch thinks it's crap who is right or who is wrong? If all of a sudden a new Rembrandt was discovered and it was merely a scribble it would be hailed as classic,and it would be regarded as a lost masterpiece. If then 2 years later it was reveled that an error had been made and in fact it was the signature of the local librarian all the art experts would point the blame for the error on other art experts. If you like a photo and think that it is "great" don't worry about what any one else thinks.
Jan 14, 2014 18:08:16 #
boberic wrote:
There are no rules on 'Great" It's basically ... (show quote)
In addition My Grand Daughters are the best looking children that have ever been born. And if any one should ever think otherwise thet obviously have no taste whatsoever
Jan 14, 2014 18:20:30 #
boberic wrote:
In addition My Grand Daughters are the best looking children that have ever been born. And if any one should ever think otherwise thet obviously have no taste whatsoever
Yeah, but Boberic, if they are not ALSO, the smartest, then they are indeed, just normal ! :lol:
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