Preachdude Loc: Geneva, OH

This is a question that each photographer has to answer individually. I'm thinking about this video discussion --
http://luminous-landscape.com/is-good-good-enough/
How many people here are image-oriented, and how many are equipment-oriented? How important is "pixel-peeping?"
For myself, I want images that pleases both me and my friends. What say you all?

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

I've always been image oriented, but my background is as an illustrator, not a photographer. I won my first three awards as a photographer with a friends borrowed Minolta. The only person I try to please is the first person to view the work and that person is always me. ;-)

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

When it comes to my hobby, photography, the only person I worry about pleasing is myself. If I were a professional, which fortunately I'm not, my priorities would be different.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

I want images that pleases ME, because I know what a good photo should look like, therefor quite frankly I could care less what "others" think because most would not know what makes a good one from a bad one...
Do I try and save a bad image by re-doing it in the "dark room" ? NO, If it wasn't good or correct it goes down the delete drain...

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Sounds as if everyone so far understands the priority for "good enough" perfectly!

Unfortunately, in this group, I doubt that our record will last too long.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

There was a machinist at my workplace many years ago that would say "Better is the enemy of good enough". Particularly true of machining things because it's a one-way job. Since you're cutting stuff off the piece it's hard to put it back on.

Photography is not quite in that situation. With digital photography you have the luxury of trying over within a fairly short period of time if your first shot didn't work out as well as you wanted it to. And digital pictures are free once you get past the capital costs and discounting your time spent in post.

I'm very happy I am an amateur so I don't have to worry about keeping clients happy. I do shoots for some volunteer organizations I work with but volunteer organizations are usually happy with whatever they get. I can do better than the volunteers with their cell phones. The only thing they beat me at is getting the photos onto facebook immediately.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

For me, the last part of the introduction to the conversation said it all:

In the end, the satisfaction is from the opportunity to take the picture, make a print and then share it with others.

If the image (and the processing) suits me, good enough. Hopefully it appeals to others, if not.....

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

"Pleasing oneself" certainly sounds like a sensible approach. But it can easily lead to obsessing over things that really don't matter. Or at least shouldn't matter, becuase they may have zero effect on the impact of the image.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I like to please myself but sometimes that can be very hard for me as I seem to find dozens of imperfections or things I should have done differently.
It's like restoring an old car, when is it "done".

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Indeed. ;)

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

As with almost any question concerning photography and as you indicated in your first line, it depends....

Being fairly new, I think I fit into all three categories you listed.

I'm always striving for better images. So far, I have done ok learning how to capture decent macro images, now I can concentrate on composition and such. I am also venturing into other types of photography besides macro.

I'm fortunate enough to have equipment far beyond my "needs or abilities". However, since I shoot for fun, I greatly enjoy using high end equipment....it's a very big part of my enjoyment.

Pixels (peeping) have been a huge tool and extremely important to me with what I have been doing so far. I doubt my enthusiasm for macro detail would be nearly so strong with a lower MP camera.

Occasionally, all I need is the camera on my phone for a particular situation and in that case, it's good enough.

I only shoot for myself, though it's a nice bonus when someone else likes your images too. Also, it's hard to grow when you don't consider why/what someone doesn't like about your shot.

So, good enough is good enough when it is :wink: :D

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I know how you feel. Being self-employed, I have a real hard-to-please boss.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

[quote=DirtFarmer]There was a machinist at my workplace many years ago that would say "Better is the enemy of good enough".

I love this statement. I see many pictures that were "good enough" and then they are improved in PP. The colors are no where near what they are in nature. Many pictures would be a lot better if folks would stop when they are good enough. - Dave

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

There is an expression---Perfection is the enemy of Good.!!. Don't know where the line is, but it is somewhere. Perfection is an elusive endeavor.