theoldman

I want to make an easily challenged statement about photography. I assert that it is so ubiquitous it is becoming passe. Ouch!

I can hear the screams of objection already, but here is my reason for the statement. Fifty or 60 years ago in my day, and certainly before that, a good photograph was the exception. I did slides with my Nikon F and friends actually came to the house wanting to see a slide show. The only explanation is that I did good (not great) photographs while they were mostly taking snap shots of their kid's birthdays (which by the way are more important today than my sunsets and waterfalls).

Today many have the talent, time, and equipment to make great photographs. Any day here I see scores of images that 50 years ago I only saw on magazine covers. And they earn a little praise, from other photographers.

If you think I am being unfair, look at any stock photo site. If I did that regularly I might give up. Why bother if thousands produce daily thousands of better images than I do.

I know, it only has to please me, it has intrinsic value, it isn't the product, its the process, it will help me see, even if no one else ever looks at them, its not the image, its the experience......of course it is :)

I submit that a photograph is not worth a 1000 words any longer BUT maybe a 100 words will make a photograph exceptional. And that is my point. Share the sizzle as well as the steak. Include the story. Not aperture and shutter speed, but what makes the image significant or important.

Let me see if you agree. I have included two random pretty, but decidedly not exceptional photographs, with much that can be criticized in either. But let's see if 100 words adds to their interest. You be the judge.

The first is taken on the cliff above the San Juan River, near Mexican Hat, Utah. In fact, the Mexican Hat formation is behind me (How is that as a photo descriptor!! :) )

A. L. Raplee had a cabin on the river below (37.1767, -109.8475), but he ignored the warning of Indians that the river flooded. The rock walls of his cabin stayed for years, and provided temporary shelter for many, but he moved to nearby Bluff after he was flooded out. In the background you see the Raplee Monocline, so memory of his short lived residence lives on. (Exactly 100 words :) )

The second photo is of the stage stop (44.1151, -120.1556) near Post in the Oregon outback. Evidence of the old stage road is nearby. As an interesting side note, the stage stop and stage road were on the 1905 route of the first transcontinental auto race won by an Oldsmobile Curved Dash automobile named Old Scout. (only 57 words).

Dave
The Old Man

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Well, Old Man I think both of them are great. 10 words, 5 apiece. How does that work for you? Mark Twain said never use more words than necessary.

theoldman

Retired CPO,

Of course I love the compliment. That works for me! :)

I wish I could come close to your bird and animal shots.....but alas I don't. I think I need the words! :)

Dave

Bill_de Loc: US

Well Dave, I like both pictures. I was never into history so the words did not make me think better or worse of the pictures. Without the words the second one let's my imagination run wild.

This might go back to when I took a few photography classes in college. We were taught that a photograph must stand on its own, and weren't even allowed to use captions.

I guess in my mind you have it backwards. A photo can be used to enhance the written word, but not the other way around. Not saying I'm right, or even if there is a right or wrong. I have no control over how my mind works.

---

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

I know most things of interest have been photographed many times by many people. To coin a phrase I take photos for me and family that enjoy seeing them.
I would think that it has become harder for a professional photographer to find or photograph something new or in a different way, but God bless them I enjoy most.
Charles getting old also.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Well, I love your compliment as well. Thank you very much! I do appreciate it.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

That's like saying there is no room for more books, there have been so many great ones written already. Or no new movies. If all a photographer does is follow around in others footsteps and tries to replicate what he has seen then that's all he/she is going to get.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Ah, for the days when you could get a good 10 cent cigar. Nearly 65 years ago I got my first camera, shortly thereafter, bought a modest darkroom from paper route money. Grew up with a Father who was an advanced amateur photographer - took quite marvelous photos, won contests, framed color prints on the wall at home, slide shows. There were plenty of Excellent photos then and long before, what there wasn't, is the easy and broad public exposure of photos there is today. Even a casual look back in time shows a pantheon of marvelous photographers and myriad brilliant photos. That continues, despite the incredible flood very mixed / extremely variable quality photos that inundate the public view. IMO, The challenge for "serious" photo enthusiasts is to continue to learn, develop and improve their product - do their best and never post anything but their best. The photos you posted are certainly well done and technically very good - it is up to you to decide how many words they are worth. Were they mine, they would fall into the "Not a bad job at all, but why did I take it?" category. No offense intended.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

No matter how many times a scene has been photographed, it hasn't been photographed from the particular spot in space, time occupied by me when I press the trigger. In the example photos, for example, the clouds were different a minute before and a minute after these photos were taken. I became much more active as a photographer as a teenager when I realized the world I observed "today" was different from the world I had observed "yesterday", let alone a year earlier.

If one would write out a description of each and every detail in the example photos, it would take more than 1000 words.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Though a hundred, or even a thousand, words won't make an image that doesn't stand on its own any better, I'm of the opinion* that however many words get expended, they won't make the image any worse. I already knew the 'story' --the hundred words-- you expended about Raplee, so hearing it again neither heightened or lessened your image for me, largely because your image stands so VERY clearly and well on its own that for me, nothing more needs to be said. Its all I need to know. Because it IS an exceptionally good photograph.

If I find anything concerning about the use --or more rightly, the lack of use-- of 'a hundred words,' its that so very often it appears that photographer 'X' isn't capable of saying anything about their image. Its as if they don't know anything about the subject other than what lens they used, or that they'd gotten up and arrived and set up and waited for some cloud or bit of light to do what they think they wanted it to do, but apart from factors like those, lack any further connection to the subject they ultimately shot. Its a purely 'I - It' relationship, nothing more. After which photographer 'X' moves along to their next 'I - It' relationship on the list.

As is usual around here, now's the time I get to interject myself into the scenario by saying 'I've been to that place, too.' Actually, by the look of your shot, I may have been a mile or two away from where you stood at the same time you were standing where you were. I really like the stuff I saw and shot that day, but not quite as much as I admire what you've posted here.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice shots and nice idea.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Many of the 'Famous' photographers put their success down to being in the right place at the right time - swinging 60's, Beatle Mania, The Hollywood Ladies etc. Plus there was a 'shortage' of pictures of famous people for the media scramble.

Now, as you suggest: The media such as it is, can get a stock image virtually to meet every occasion. The Internet has created virtual tours of great landmarks once only visited by the rich and famous or by 'location' photographers. The last bastion of photography - aerial landscapes can now be produces by anyone.

So we return to the original days of photography - when it was a hobby or interest to the individual....What they produced in their lifetime probably only became of public interest after their death!

If we are not going to become famous through photography, we can still strive to become 'the best we can' simply for our own pleasure and interest. is that less important?

I think the act of photography - looking, journeying to, spending time contemplating 'where you are' and having proof of where you have been and when - are sufficient to offer people a worthwhile pursuit. - well it beats collecting stamps !

Never mind competition - it drives innovation.... hence the plethora of modern cameras and programs

have fun

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

If you need to analyze any particular photograph to determine how many words it represents, it is possible that something is lacking in that image.

If a photograph is composed and crafted artfully with technical excellence it makes a visual statement, provides a message, conveys a mood and expresses the makers interpretation. How many words that may substitute for or contain is anyone's guess. Impactful images perhaps are more suscent. Images that are more complex and perhas cluttered may take longer to visually decipher. Abstract images are for the viewers to interpret.

Old adages are nice but oftentimes they are more virtual or figurative than literal.

As a professional (commercial and portrait) photograher, I have certainly noticed the market being oversaturated with stock photography and average folks and even businesses going to do-it-yourself photography to fill there requirements. We still, however, receive many assignments to produce work that is more unique, personalized and that is more stylized to the client's specific needs and requires a high level of craftsmanship.

I play my annual head game at the end of each year to examine my work and determine if I have made any truly unique images- I am very hard on myself. A good yea may yield 2 or 3. sometimes there are none- everything I have done that year is pretty standard or derivative. It's a good exercise because it keeps me on my toes and provides incentive to always try for something different a better.

I don't know if I will ever becom famous- that is not my goal but if it happens, I hope it happens BEFORE I die. If I am successful I may be able to generate more money and and receive accolades. Problem is, money can't be spent by dead guys and you can't hang awards and certificates on you tombstone!

Cheer up my friend. If you philosophise too much you won't have enough time or energy left to go out and make some good images!

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Did anyone really read my earlier comment, I am not the one who said that photos were becoming ubiquitous or passe nor did I agree with it. I said I take phots for myself and its harder for professional photographers now days.

Abo

I agree Old Man... I blame it on cell phones.

Even though I'd have far less foreground in your first pic,
I reckon they are both well worth viewing... nice work imho.