People make fun of iPhone cameras and their users, but those in the know know that they take very good pictures. The iPhone 5 will have an even better camera. I was at a graduation recently, and many people were using their smartphones to record movies of the event. Amazing.

When you think back to the "wonders" we saw on Star Trek and Star Wars, modern technology has surpassed that. I remember seeing a "digital" clock on the original Star Trek. It wasn't LED; it was just the little black and white cards that would flip forward as time advanced.

Ok...I'm going to rant (or vent if you prefer) but if this isn't your thing...you can pass this thread by...you won't hurt my feelings... :)

I've noticed something that happens with newbie photogs but not with those who've either got a business or who've got a LOT of experience...and that's the "tying my hands but I need to get good shots" syndrome.

Example:

Newbie: "what do you think of shots I took at the local Barbie and Ken collectors club? How can I improve?

Me: "well...the light is bad, coming from the wrong direction, and the focus is very off, and the pose isn't flattering...could you have used a flash?"

Newbie: "Don't have a flash"

Me: "Could you have put them near a window?"

Newbie: "Couldn't move them."

Me: "Could you have had them at least TURN towards the window?"

Newbie: "nope."

Me: "How about the focus....could you nail the eyes next time?"

Newbie: "They were moving...I couldn't."

Me: "...ok....could you have them stand on an X... or something so that they slow down to allow you to pose them better?"

Newbie: "...nope"


And on an on it goes...where the noob is trying to do the impossible; to get images that are decent, all the while being unwilling to at least get a cheap flash, or move people around, or to pose them, or ask them to stop moving for 10 seconds or anything to get a decent shot..they are left with ....underexposed shots , lit with the worst light possible, with no poses worth talking about, and no ability to at least attempt to get good focus...and then asking how they can "improve" their shots.


One thing that I've learned in my almost non-existent photog experience is that people who want to get good images, DO things to make it happen...they just don't take what the environment or subject gives them...even if it's as simple as a large white piece of cardboard to reflect light into the subject's face or moving the subject into the shade or SOMETHING....and if the conditions are such that images that are decent aren't possible..they decline to be the one to produce them.


Ok...rant over. :)

At least in my case I'm going to disagree with that 100%.

For my wildlife photography I spend a lot of time observing and learning bird and animal behavior. This is key in getting good action shots.
I take note of certain locations and what I might see there. I pay close attention to time of day which affects lighting. I pay attention to such things as tides and water levels in marshes.
And after all that you still have to get the image in focus, and have the proper settings to come back with a good pic.

Plus, I'm going to repeat the part about time, I put in a good amount of time doing this. So when someone looks at one of my photos and says I got "lucky" I want to whack them over the head with a tripod.

In fact, I'm sharpening a stick right now to poke in the eye of the next person that looks at one of my photos and comments..."you were in the right place at the right time"
as if it was just pure dumb luck that got me the pic.
It doesn't quite work just like that.

Ok...I'm going to rant (or vent if you prefer) but if this isn't your thing...you can pass this thread by...you won't hurt my feelings... :)

I've noticed something that happens with newbie photogs but not with those who've either got a business or who've got a LOT of experience...and that's the "tying my hands but I need to get good shots" syndrome.

Example:

Newbie: "what do you think of shots I took at the local Barbie and Ken collectors club? How can I improve?

Me: "well...the light is bad, coming from the wrong direction, and the focus is very off, and the pose isn't flattering...could you have used a flash?"

Newbie: "Don't have a flash"

Me: "Could you have put them near a window?"

Newbie: "Couldn't move them."

Me: "Could you have had them at least TURN towards the window?"

Newbie: "nope."

Me: "How about the focus....could you nail the eyes next time?"

Newbie: "They were moving...I couldn't."

Me: "...ok....could you have them stand on an X... or something so that they slow down to allow you to pose them better?"

Newbie: "...nope"


And on an on it goes...where the noob is trying to do the impossible; to get images that are decent, all the while being unwilling to at least get a cheap flash, or move people around, or to pose them, or ask them to stop moving for 10 seconds or anything to get a decent shot..they are left with ....underexposed shots , lit with the worst light possible, with no poses worth talking about, and no ability to at least attempt to get good focus...and then asking how they can "improve" their shots.


One thing that I've learned in my almost non-existent photog experience is that people who want to get good images, DO things to make it happen...they just don't take what the environment or subject gives them...even if it's as simple as a large white piece of cardboard to reflect light into the subject's face or moving the subject into the shade or SOMETHING....and if the conditions are such that images that are decent aren't possible..they decline to be the one to produce them.


Ok...rant over. :)

Ok...I'm going to rant (or vent if you prefer) but if this isn't your thing...you can pass this thread by...you won't hurt my feelings... :)

I've noticed something that happens with newbie photogs but not with those who've either got a business or who've got a LOT of experience...and that's the "tying my hands but I need to get good shots" syndrome.

Example:

Newbie: "what do you think of shots I took at the local Barbie and Ken collectors club? How can I improve?

Me: "well...the light is bad, coming from the wrong direction, and the focus is very off, and the pose isn't flattering...could you have used a flash?"

Newbie: "Don't have a flash"

Me: "Could you have put them near a window?"

Newbie: "Couldn't move them."

Me: "Could you have had them at least TURN towards the window?"

Newbie: "nope."

Me: "How about the focus....could you nail the eyes next time?"

Newbie: "They were moving...I couldn't."

Me: "...ok....could you have them stand on an X... or something so that they slow down to allow you to pose them better?"

Newbie: "...nope"


And on an on it goes...where the noob is trying to do the impossible; to get images that are decent, all the while being unwilling to at least get a cheap flash, or move people around, or to pose them, or ask them to stop moving for 10 seconds or anything to get a decent shot..they are left with ....underexposed shots , lit with the worst light possible, with no poses worth talking about, and no ability to at least attempt to get good focus...and then asking how they can "improve" their shots.


One thing that I've learned in my almost non-existent photog experience is that people who want to get good images, DO things to make it happen...they just don't take what the environment or subject gives them...even if it's as simple as a large white piece of cardboard to reflect light into the subject's face or moving the subject into the shade or SOMETHING....and if the conditions are such that images that are decent aren't possible..they decline to be the one to produce them.


Ok...rant over. :)

Ok...I'm going to rant (or vent if you prefer) but if this isn't your thing...you can pass this thread by...you won't hurt my feelings... :)

I've noticed something that happens with newbie photogs but not with those who've either got a business or who've got a LOT of experience...and that's the "tying my hands but I need to get good shots" syndrome.

Example:

Newbie: "what do you think of shots I took at the local Barbie and Ken collectors club? How can I improve?

Me: "well...the light is bad, coming from the wrong direction, and the focus is very off, and the pose isn't flattering...could you have used a flash?"

Newbie: "Don't have a flash"

Me: "Could you have put them near a window?"

Newbie: "Couldn't move them."

Me: "Could you have had them at least TURN towards the window?"

Newbie: "nope."

Me: "How about the focus....could you nail the eyes next time?"

Newbie: "They were moving...I couldn't."

Me: "...ok....could you have them stand on an X... or something so that they slow down to allow you to pose them better?"

Newbie: "...nope"


And on an on it goes...where the noob is trying to do the impossible; to get images that are decent, all the while being unwilling to at least get a cheap flash, or move people around, or to pose them, or ask them to stop moving for 10 seconds or anything to get a decent shot..they are left with ....underexposed shots , lit with the worst light possible, with no poses worth talking about, and no ability to at least attempt to get good focus...and then asking how they can "improve" their shots.


One thing that I've learned in my almost non-existent photog experience is that people who want to get good images, DO things to make it happen...they just don't take what the environment or subject gives them...even if it's as simple as a large white piece of cardboard to reflect light into the subject's face or moving the subject into the shade or SOMETHING....and if the conditions are such that images that are decent aren't possible..they decline to be the one to produce them.


Ok...rant over. :)