Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

A quote:

“Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” – Ansel Adams

On the other hand, there seem to be so many respondents to this thread that most produce absolutely stunning images every time they click the shutter. . .

And when you question their 50%, 80%, 90% and even their 100% keeper rate, they double down SHM . . .

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Well, art is in the eye of the beholder. Probably great for them.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I think when film is discussed, one statistic is the "one that got away" due to operator error - how many times has a photographer put a film holder into the view camera that had already been exposed? Or shot a roll of 36 exposure rollfilm, and got to 37, realizing that the tongue of the film never made it onto the takeup spool, etc,etc,etc.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Dude, you won't understand this but this is what SOOC looks like to a real photographer:

Oh, and the result in the hands of a highly skilled photographer who never went around telling everyone that his SOOC images were all that and more.

I am so happy that he didn't blow off special developing techniques, and post processing as complete wastes of time.

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

After all, you don't have to tell anyone how many you delete. You can present any number you like.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Trying to determine percentages in this question makes no sense to me because it is not telling of anyone's ability, discerning of quality or photographic savvy or prowess. There are too many variables in the types of work, the photographer's experience and know-how and the requirements of any given project, job or assignment.

Let's borrow a term from the motion picture industry, "SHOOTING RATIO". It's based on how much footage is shot, what ends up on the cutting-room floor and what ends up in the final print for exhibition. This varies greatly with different directors, directors of photography and film editors. It counts heavily in the financial end of any product because the more raw footage is required the more expensive the cost of production becomes. Besides materials and processing, there is the protracted expenses of the entire cast and crew and all the overhead costs- big budgets!

This expense does not factor in all that much for most amateur photographers. As a professional, I must deliver a certin amount of "KEEPERS:" or "HANGERS", so to speak, or I don't get paid or might even end up with a lawsuit. So...I have to shoot as much as I need to come up with the results. This varies greatly as well. If it is a carefully planned predictable setup assignment and I know exactly what I am gonna do to please the client, the ratio is not gonna be very high. If the job entails unpredictable circumstances, fast-breaking action, and difficult conditions, there is gonna be more waste. The first commandment professional work is "COVER YOUR BACKSIDE", shoot lots, bracket, explore different angles and approaches aside form a fixed layout- once you are there shoot every possible variation.

So...in my professional work my percentage is high- most of what I shoot is used one way or another.

I have a different head game that I play on my own that I apply to my professional and personal work as well. I look for unique images or at least ones that I really love and am proud of. The ones I will select for large display prints in my studio, hang in my home, and enter into photo competitions. When I say "unique" I mean mostly non-derivative. Sadly, in this category, my percentage is low. A really good year would yield 3. last little while- 1. Last year- 0! In this game, I am extremely hard on myself. The second in line "rejects" go into the portfolio- it's the best I can do.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

I am, but it comes after 53 years of experience.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Don’t ever expect a reasonable statement from User ID. It’s just as usual trolling. Which IS 100% always.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

Your last sentence is very well put.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

I suppose 3-5% are keepers over the course of a year. Some outings I come back with nothing I will even show to my family. Every click is not a keeper. Some shots were merely taken to check sharpness or exposure and i never intended to keep them. Sometimes when I'm out,the light is just not right and I know I won't like the result. But I will learn from that image. At year's end I hope I have produced 12 excellent images that really make ME happy. I still have a great time being out shooting and consider it time well spent but I'm critical about my images. It is the only way you will improve.

If you are having fun shooting, that is all that really matters.

Bill_de Loc: US

For sure. When you can set your own standard anything is possible.

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worldcycle Loc: Stateline, Nevada

I have a 42 inch (?) 4K flat screen with an old desktop. Run some freeware slide show program that shuffles rather well (hardest thing to find is a truly random shuffle program). Put some wall boxes in and snaked the HDMI cable so it cannot be seen. Works great. Hobbyists shooting 2500 and up images a week? Think like you are shooting film. Put a little thought process behind your shots. And turn off that silly motor drive unless you are shooting action. Better yet, learn what Peak of action is. That being said, I display maybe 3%

worldcycle Loc: Stateline, Nevada

I have tried numerous picture frames and all have very limited shuffle. They only show maybe 10% of what is on them. And if you do not shuffle the same order gets rather tiresome. NIX is one of the worst for random shuffle. Computer and flatscreen the only way to go.

TonyBot

What a great example. AA himself said that "Moon ... " went through a number of changes over the years. It seems that every now and then, he'd pick it up and say "I want this to be better, so I'll do ... ", or maybe "I really don't remember it like that". SOOC that would be a "delete", but part of his vision and ability was to be able to take a "meh" shot and make it great. I have seen an AA 'proof' - and you'd have to be very skilled in PSCC to duplicate the work he performed - manually, in a "wet" darkroom - one print at a time!

While I only do a little PP with LR (I still have the PS4 disc around somewhere. I think I saw it last year), very, very little of what I show to family or friends, or present to the public for their enjoyment, has not had at least a modicum of work done on it.

(Look up https://clydebutcher.com and see the same type of work as Adams. He is sometimes called "the Ansel Adams of the Everglades". Different subjects, same technique, same fine B/W work, and occasionally he would shoot "miniature", with his 500C 'Blad!)

rbhallock Loc: Western Massachusetts

A few comments.

Your rightly are your own critic. Satisfy yourself.

Shooting film, you slow down and you make far fewer images. So, your percentage of keepers (ones that might end up framed on a wall where the quality really will be evident if it is there) will be higher with film. This is because you have already done heavy editing about what is worth capturing.

I do film, black and white. I am critical. My number is likely around 1% (using medium format). Higher with 4x5 because of that editing that takes place prior to exposure - you have to be pretty convinced of the opportunity before you set up the camera.

One can be just as selective with digital exposure, but as has been mentioned, since it is easy and basically free folks tend to create many more images.

But, you are the best judge of what you consider top quality. Others can perhaps help you to see what they feel are important aspects of a high quality image. Just enjoy seeing.