liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

Viewing lots of really good images here..as some not so good. So what is it that makes a great photo? What is your take on this?

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

I would say composition,clarity,subject matter,interest and above all if U yourself like it..........it' a great picture

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

Good article Bob...Is The approach creative? I like this one aspect of the great photo.For me, I think its the toughest one to tackle..anyone can learn to take tack sharp images..well exposed..good compositon..but this is taking it to the next level..Not sure I will ever achieve this..If anyone cares to give some example..that would be great.

Number 6 in article..."Creative techniques and subjects can range from bringing abstract ideas into a visual form, taking a concrete idea and making it abstract, relating or associating unrelated concepts into a visual space, or, in short, taking a fresh look at and lending the photographer's unique thinking and vision any subject.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

I love experimenting with new techniques. You've seen a few of my 3D effects with line frames weaving through the subject, or the tiger, tiger poster where he seems to be walking out of a framed photo. I like adding lettering made of brick walls or wood. I make my own custom picture frames and backgrounds by shooting sides of old barns or piles of hay bales. It's all in an attempt to take my hobby to the next level, to get a Wow occasionally.

Today, for the first time, I moved a row boat from a poor position, dead center, to the thirds mark of the frame. I literally picked the boat up and shifted it left dramatically. You can't tell it was an edit. That's a technique developed by trial and error from many experiments. It's all good, all fun.

ShakyShutter Loc: Arizona

liv2paddle, not sure if you caught the point of the article. ALL of the topics mentioned must be present in order for it to be a great photo. You can only pick and choose after you've mastered all aspects mentioned in the article.

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

I understand what you are saying..but I am a bit beyond steps one through 5. I struggle with the creative aspects of photography. I am involved in showing my work in galleries. The competition is stiff ..they judge harshly..and they are looking for "bringing abstract ideas into a visual form, taking a concrete idea and making it abstract, relating or associating unrelated concepts into a visual space, or, in short, taking a fresh look at and lending the photographer's unique thinking and vision any subject." Precisely what the article is stating. Try taking a photo with those concepts in your head..its enough to boggle the mind. I do not have an art background which is a detriment .I don't think I am naturally gifted nor creative. I work hard at the craft .I take good photos. The missing ingredient is the elusive artists eye. Seeing is everything. We don't get to paint the picture ..we have to take what nature gives us..unless you are Bob..LOL and you can move mountains.
So the struggle for me is not getting it sharp in focus..with clear subject, leading lines blah blah blah..its the WOW factor.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

liv2paddle, i understand what you are saying. I am not a naturaly creative person either I had to struggle to see beyond snapshot. what helped was when I stopped going out to record reality, cars trees, flowers etc and started looking for more abstract concepts such as form, color, texture, shadow, lines. I stopped just looking at eye level where 95% of all photos are taken and started looking down. for me i discovered a whole world of creative subject matter, on the sidewalks, streets and grounds. What set me off onn this creative path was the book "learning to see creatively"by Bryan Peterson (my favorite photographer) he covers the concept of design in such easy to understand english and his photos are awe inspiring. I reread this book every 6 months also his understanding exposure to keep it fresh in my mind. I can not begin to tell you how much of an impact he has had on my work. I honestly believe every serious photographer should own and read those books. here are some examples of my work that i credit him with inspiring. :thumbup:

form and texture


shape texture line


form texture color

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

good points ..I did this type of work..OMG I thought I would loose my mind..we shot nothing...it could not have a subject in the image...line texture etc. I too love Bryan and have all of his books. Ok tomorrow I read his book AGAin! thanks.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

these arent even my best. ive shot potholes oilstains on pavement, close ups of lighted road construction signs weird stuff but it makes me happy and you know what? I NEVER have a day when I dont take any shots. and since my economic troubles where i pawned and lost my d-100 all these shots are done with a pocket sized point and shoot.

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

love the pocket camera..have one in my car always. use it for street photography..less obtrusive. I shoot every day too.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

you cant capture that once in a lifetime shot if your camera is at home.

brucew29 Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

My Opinion...

I have often wondered what it takes to become a good photographer. I am not talking about just knowing and understanding your photographic equipment… that would be the easier part of taking good photographs! I am talking about being able to take good photographs that would move or invoke a response from the viewer(s). Knowing what makes a good photograph is the difficult part of producing good photographs. Being able to photographically capture a subject of interest in a way that is revealing and aesthetically pleasing is the most difficult aspect of photography. Most of us have the innate ability to know what makes a good photograph. At times, that innate ability needs to be honed, needs to be polished, and needs to be recognized!

I believe that good photographers should be aware of the world around them. You do not need to be rich or need to travel the world to take good photographs. You do not need expensive camera equipment to take good photographs. It is easy to take good photographs of fantastic views and of exotic places, but it takes a good photographer to be able to see the everyday world around him/her in a different or interesting way, and then be able to capture it with a camera.

To take good photographs, you just need to develop a new sight... a way of looking closer and seeing the beauty in simple everyday life occurrences. A flower close-up with morning dew drops shimmering on its petals or the unusual lighting that makes the flower’s colors glow and radiate. The evening sunset or morning sunrise colors accenting the various shapes and hues formed by the pillowing formation of intertwined clouds. A cat lazing near a bush on a sunny hot summer day and enjoying the coolness from the shade of the bush. I could go on and on but I will just let your creative imagination take over.

In my opinion, the answer to better photographs is being able to see and observe the little occurrences in life and in objects that are near and around us everyday. It just takes consideration, patience, much practice, persistence, and a little luck.

In closing, a beautiful photograph is in the eye of the beholder! A really beautiful photograph is in the eyes of many beholders! That is just my opinion.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

a great photograph does not have to be beautifal. Some of the greatest photos in the world impact wise are from photojournalism and are horrific or tragic. I can think of three off the bat. the color shot of the challengers vapor trail suddenly mushrooming as it exploded. The b/w shot of the vietnamese girl running naked down a road as her village gets napalmed, the b/w shot of the sagion police chief executing a captured vc spy by shooting him in the head, those photos have stuck with me in my mind since seeing them. a great photograph stirs emotion. an unforgetable photograph stirs action.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Bingo! You've hit it exactly on the head with your remarks. You need to have "sight" to recognize beauty.