Check out Photo Critique Section section of our forum.
Artistic vision versus a cliched snapshot
Dec 5, 2018 09:57:09 #
NCMtnMan
Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC
We all see things that we think will make a great picture whether it's just in that moment or we've pondered it for a while. The real question to me always is whether what I'm seeing through my lens is what I'm seeing with my eyes and my mind? That means you have to take a breath and really look through that lens. Not just at the subject, but what else is around, behind, beside, in front of the subject? A snap shot pays no attention to these things. A photograph does.
Dec 5, 2018 10:01:35 #
When I got into digital photography, having quit taking and processing film photos three decades earlier, it was too easy to just snap away, I would not plan or think about composition. I posted about this and received
several good suggestions on how to break the habit of just snapping away. One suggestion, from Mrjcall, was to use a tripod whenever possible, the more involved taking a picture is the more forethought you will put into it. I have found when using a tripod I seem to have a higher success rate than when handheld. Linda from Maine suggested an exercise that limited the number of photos that you have on you memory card to ten. Once you have taken ten pictures you must first delete one before taking your next one, this forces you to evaluate each shot to decide if you can make the next one better than at least one of your previous shots. I have only just started doing this exercise but feel it will help me get into the habit of being more critical before I push the shutter button. Hope these suggestions help.
Jerry
several good suggestions on how to break the habit of just snapping away. One suggestion, from Mrjcall, was to use a tripod whenever possible, the more involved taking a picture is the more forethought you will put into it. I have found when using a tripod I seem to have a higher success rate than when handheld. Linda from Maine suggested an exercise that limited the number of photos that you have on you memory card to ten. Once you have taken ten pictures you must first delete one before taking your next one, this forces you to evaluate each shot to decide if you can make the next one better than at least one of your previous shots. I have only just started doing this exercise but feel it will help me get into the habit of being more critical before I push the shutter button. Hope these suggestions help.
Jerry
Dec 5, 2018 11:16:12 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If you are on vacation and documenting your trip, ... (show quote)
Good points well made.
Check out Drone Video and Photography Forum section of our forum.
Dec 5, 2018 11:55:20 #
I do newspaper photography and have to catch the moment when people are relating to other people or children are just being children and make for wonderful picture opportunities. I have to be fast to catch the action so the photos are sometimes not tack sharp but they do catch the moment in time and hopefully will be something people,especially parents , enjoy seeing and remembering the "way life was "when their children were young.Those are moments you can't get back even though the photo may not be artistic or perfectly composed although I work very hard for good composition.This may not answer your question but is just my opinion if you like to take pictures of people.
Dec 5, 2018 12:22:27 #
SteveR wrote:
I was thinking about that just the other day when viewing what I would say were just snapshots, yet from decades ago. While artistry certainly makes a picture much better, sometimes what is caught in that snapshot goes beyond the question of artistry. It may be just the individual or individuals captured and documented. I have tons of these unartistic photos passed on to me of my family going back before I was born. I wouldn't toss any of them.
I love photography, but never considered it an artistic endeavor. For me, it's about having fun with good cameras while grabbing some memories,....
Jack
Dec 5, 2018 12:29:10 #
Jerry G wrote:
I forgot all about that exercise! It came about from a challenge that St3v3M initiated way back in early days of For Your Consideration section. Thanks so much for mentioning again.... Linda from Maine suggested an exercise that limited the number of photos that you have on you memory card to ten. Once you have taken ten pictures you must first delete one before taking your next one, this forces you to evaluate each shot to decide if you can make the next one better than at least one of your previous shots.
Dec 5, 2018 12:34:20 #
Here is the thing, a successful photographic image is a successful photographic image. It really doesn't matter how it came to be. It could of been taken with a $100 P&S or a $50,000 medium format system. It might be the result of careful planning and thoughtful composition or a happy accident of weather, light and opportunity. It might have been produced after hours in the real or digital darkroom or not. The photographer might have been someone named Ansel or someone named Doug. All that is interesting to know, but the image stands on its own merits. Period.
Check out Close Up Photography section of our forum.
Dec 5, 2018 12:38:23 #
1. Cliche (i.e. the pic that "everyone" takes at Reflections Lake, Mount Rainier National Park)
2. Not cliche (hopefully)
Photo #3 - For me, light and weather conditions play a big part in capturing a mood as opposed to a documentary shot. I also - quite shamelessly - postprocess to enhance my vision. The pink in the cloud is real, though
2. Not cliche (hopefully)
Photo #3 - For me, light and weather conditions play a big part in capturing a mood as opposed to a documentary shot. I also - quite shamelessly - postprocess to enhance my vision. The pink in the cloud is real, though
Dec 5, 2018 13:09:49 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
gvarner wrote:
I think that pursuit of the former versus practicing the latter is what separates making a photo versus taking a photo. I’m an inveterate snap shooter but I try to keep this concept in mind as I capture what I see before me. It’s just too easy to lift that gadget and push that button, a hard habit to break.
Sometimes one can and sometimes one can't. When you are on a bus tour and have 30 minutes to photography the Neuschwanstein castle, 1/3 in sunlight and 2/3 in shadow, "artistic" is not possible. Sometimes one just has to do the best with what one is presented.
Dec 5, 2018 13:41:41 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
When you just snap and then review you get all snaps and very few good shots. 10% is worse than terrible! If you stop and think and compose and set your camera for the best settings you can get good shots most of the time and great shots often. - Dave
“Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” – Ansel Adams
,Poor old Ansel, twelve ain't even 10%. I guess he just didn't know how to compose and set his camera :O)
Dec 5, 2018 14:03:51 #
bob7fred wrote:
Yes, but then we review and judge our snaps. With digital their is no constraint on the number of pics. So if you get 10 good shots out of a hundred, that’s great. I hav the problem of not discarding. I throw all on the hard drive, and then on dvd. Figure I can pick n choose later.
I think we all have experienced this!
Check out The Pampered Pets Corner section of our forum.
Dec 5, 2018 15:33:00 #
photoman022 wrote:
I was just out this morning trying to capture a ph... (show quote)
I've had similar happen more times than I care to think while travelling along a highway. Sometimes the location was far away and a long trip for nothing! Here I really mean we did go back or stop later. I think I have one of those "ah ha" spontaneous finds that worked out. And even that took a couple trips. Two different version of the several shot with two different cameras (one IR Converted).
IR Version (different camera) Borrego Springs Road just N. of Hwy 78 S-W Entrance To Anza Borrego Desert Area, CA.
(Download)
Borrego Springs Road just N. of Hwy 78 S-W Entrance To Anza Borrego Desert Area, CA.
(Download)
Dec 5, 2018 16:21:00 #
This is actually a very interesting conversation. But I'm still not sure what "art" is...even though most of us think of our work as art. I'd be very interested in see some photos....some that you guys consider art and some that you consider snapshots. I know I take MANY more digital photos than I did using film. I'm not sure if I get better photos or not. Anyone want to post a couple of photos...one "art" and one a "snapshot?" Then those who are interested could also post some of their shots. I just think it would be great to see what others consider art and what they consider a record shot or snapshot. Any thoughts on this? I'd start but I'm not sure how the best way to start would be. I'm don't speak computer very well.
Dec 5, 2018 16:22:14 #
Shel B wrote:
Did you see mine half-way down page 2?This is actually a very interesting conversation. But I'm still not sure what "art" is...even though most of us think of our work as art. I'd be very interested in see some photos....
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-566988-2.html#9653112
.
Dec 5, 2018 16:47:59 #
But who knows what Ansel considered "significant." I suspect his significant is way more significant than my significant.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Travel Photography - Tips and More section of our forum.