How far can content and story carry a technically flawed photograph? (Page 2): I agree. As a hobbyst my most important images are of family. The vacation photographs may bring back...

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Bill_de wrote:

All depends on the intent and end use. The last picture of Grandma ever taken can stand a lot of technical defects. A picture to hang on the wall for its beauty should be near perfect. Everything in between is a matter of taste.

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I agree.
As a hobbyst my most important images are of family. The vacation photographs may bring back memories, which is good. The 'scapes, sports (unless it is a memory for the competitor(s)), flowers, birds etc really don't count, even thougbh they may be technically good.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

But, most of these examples are, in fact, technica... (show quote)

This is still a matter of degrees.

I took the photo below from the Circle Line boat as we went around the tip of Manhattan. I hadn't planned to take a photo just then, but as the buildings, boat and I lined up, I just had to take it even though I didn't have time to make last minute adjustments to my Yashica rangefinder camera.

I still think it is neat.

I could have ridden that boat all summer, and I doubt if building, boat, and I would have ever lined up again, but that doesn't make it historic. As a grad student, that is the last time I would ever go on vacation with my family-of-origin, but that doesn't make it historic. I could not take a photo like that today, but that doesn't make it historic. Historically, artistically, technically - no matter how you look at it, this is not a super special photo - but I decided it was special enough that I posted in on another photo discussion site last summer, and nothing since then has changed my mind about it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

rehess wrote:

This is still a matter of degrees. br br I took t... (show quote)

If you weren't so determined to limit yourself, you'd take the now digital version and straighten the horizon, clean up the scratches, and add some contrast. But even more important: you should give up trying to be the contrary argument to every single post on UHH ... I have little trouble believing I'm the only one that finds your version of participation to be well beyond tiresome ...

Bill_de Loc: US

rehess wrote:

This is still a matter of degrees. br br I took t... (show quote)

Had it not been for 9-11 this would be an unimpressive image to most people. As is, today, you can't look at it without feeling something!

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Bill_de wrote:

Had it not been for 9-11 this would be an unimpressive image to most people. As is, today, you can't look at it without feeling something!

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Absolutely. Any photo showing the twin towers is going to be emotional for many of us.

It would be interesting as a purely academic exercise to see if it can be improved technically without losing its sense of the times.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

srt101fan wrote:

OP again: br Attached is an image that might help ... (show quote)

You have cropped to a fascinating story: juxtaposition of lifestyles. Really cool! I think R.G.'s edits in your PP Forum topic are fantastic. I like his crop, though I think the visual isn't as interesting with the woman following the nuns up the ramp. You could practice cloning (erase her existence!), though the result might be too unbalanced. Something to consider. As is a flip (using R.G.'s edit)

Bill_de Loc: US

I edited my Twin Towers photo shortly after 9-11.

This was shot from across the bay. I was at the Jamaica Bay NWR. I like it, even if far from technically perfect.

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(Download)

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I had a chance to see an original print of Dorthea Lange's great classic Migrant Mother. I was surprised that the focus was just a little off. It's not noticeable in reproductions, which is the only way most people ever see it. But it is still a masterpiece.

bleirer

JohnSwanda wrote:

I had a chance to see an original print of Dorthea Lange's great classic Migrant Mother. I was surprised that the focus was just a little off. It's not noticeable in reproductions, which is the only way most people ever see it. But it is still a masterpiece.

She was a pioneer in the early days of documentary photography, and an interesting facet of any study of the history of the art.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

If you weren't so determined to limit yourself, you'd take the now digital version and straighten the horizon, clean up the scratches, and add some contrast. But even more important: you should give up trying to be the contrary argument to every single post on UHH ... I have little trouble believing I'm the only one that finds your version of participation to be well beyond tiresome ...

You cannot see the horizon in this photo; you can simply select a different line to be plumb than I did. I should have posted the original scan if you want to see true scratches, and contrast issues.

As is common around here, you insist on talking about the image when confronted with real issues.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Actually I like this uncropped version better. The nuns look even more out of place with the women behind and above in their summer clothes.

Linda From Maine wrote:

You have cropped to a fascinating story: juxtaposition of lifestyles. Really cool! I think R.G.'s edits in your PP Forum topic are fantastic. I like his crop, though I think the visual isn't as interesting with the woman following the nuns up the ramp. You could practice cloning (erase her existence!), though the result might be too unbalanced. Something to consider. As is a flip (using R.G.'s edit)

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

bleirer wrote:

She was a pioneer in the early days of documentary photography, and an interesting facet of any study of the history of the art.

I attended the San Francisco Art Institute in the '70s, and I took a documentary photography class where the instructor got us access to Lange's archives in the Oakland Museum. We got to see her proofsheets, and it was fascinating to see the shots that led up to her greatest photos.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Bobspez wrote:

Actually I like this uncropped version better. The nuns look even more out of place with the women behind and above in their summer clothes.

After viewing a few more times, I'm inclined to agree with you (and forget the flip too

). But please note that you are not viewing "uncropped." Go to the PP Forum topic created by our OP; there is a great deal of real estate to play with. In that topic, R.G. offered excellent advice re compromises that sometimes must be made.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

srt101fan wrote:

Somewhere I saw photographic “content” defined as ... (show quote)

You can't create content. You need to have an eye for what is interesting or beautiful. And many will or won't agree with you. Sometimes a picture just strikes you and you say, wow, that is stunningly beautiful, or amazing. Like any art, it's not something that can be reproduced at will. If you are lucky you may take a few pictures like that in your lifetime.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Bobspez wrote:

You can't create content. You need to have an eye for what is interesting or beautiful. And many will or won't agree with you. Sometimes a picture just strikes you and you say, wow, that is stunningly beautiful, or amazing. Like any art, it's not something that can be reproduced at will. If you are lucky you may take a few pictures like that in your lifetime.

I disagree. You can create content. Think of the movies, advertising photography and a lot of "art".
All you need is the resources and an idea, to get started. Having the skills to complete your vision also helps a lot.