How far can content and story carry a technically flawed photograph? (Page 9): Don't know if you are still following this thread, dustie, but thanks for sharing your perspective.

srt101fan

dustie wrote:

Thank you, srt101fan, for your kindness and encouragement.

On the aspect of technical excellency, top-of-the-line gear, and work that can grab attention: (and please do not take this the wrong way; the people here on UHH have certainly not made me feel despised nor unwanted; not at all !)
In a way it seems I am like a child toting my plastic xylophone into Carnegie Hall, taking it to the orchestra pit and declaring, "I'm here to perform with the orchestra in this world-class concert."
Or, it's like the child taking his T-ball gear onto the diamond at a major league game and announcing, "Well, here I am, ready for the big game."
Or maybe, like the child taking his pedal car to pit row at the Indy 500, looking around and asking, "So which pit is mine?"

That child may be able to do some feats of some sort within his tiny experience level and gear capabilities, but he's just not in the same league with those in the environments where he arrived to pursue an interest.
It has to be something beyond technical exactness involved, if he should happen to make a play that may be good enough to grab attention. Is it the content of the work, the audacity to show up among those much more experienced and better equipped, the kindness of experienced veterans giving understanding notice to a beginner trying to find his way? What drew the attention?
I hope that does not seem like absurd illustration, but it is part of what your introducing this topic stirs up in my thoughts:
-- if my efforts to make something are not noticed, no surprise, but if they are noticed, what is the factor that grabbed the attention and drew the observer in for a look?

So, the child has plenty of work ahead, if in doing what he wants to do because he is enjoying it, something is to be accomplished that happens to grab someone's attention. It won't be on the basis of the technical supremacy, nor on the quality made possible by the advanced, most refined gear.

I hope that has not gone astray from the good theme of your topic.

Thank you.

Thank you, srt101fan, for your kindness and encour... (show quote)

Don't know if you are still following this thread, dustie, but thanks for sharing your perspective. Interesting viewpoint. I do think, however, that you may be a little overly concerned about what others think of your work. First-and-foremost, photograph to please yourself and work to get the most out of the gear you have. Look at the output of others to learn, but don't emulate them - pursue your own interests. As this thread has shown you, technical excellence, as important as it is, isn't everything. Find the right photographic "content" for your creative drive and the technical proficiency will come easier....

Good luck in your journey and happy shooting!

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

srt101fan wrote:

Don't know if you are still following this thread,... (show quote)

Thank you so much for your continued encouragement!

Is the desire to produce quality somewhat equivalent to the top producers a common or uncommon trait among beginners?
Or, does it seem I am so concerned with it that it may be actually hampering proper freedom to see, learn and find what will work for me?

Thanks.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

dustie wrote:

Thank you so much for your continued encouragement!

Is the desire to produce quality somewhat equivalent to the top producers a common or uncommon trait among beginners?
Or, does it seem I am so concerned with it that it may be actually hampering proper freedom to see, learn and find what will work for me?

Thanks.

Personally, I believe people here strain at gnats much more than most do.

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

rehess wrote:

Personally, I believe people here strain at gnats much more than most do.

Thanks! That is a good thing to watch for, to help keep me from growing into restrictive mental habits.

Bill P

rehess wrote:

Personally, I believe people here strain at gnats much more than most do.

Please remember, the relentless pursuit of perfection is the enemy of goodness.

Flury

It is, the artist firm belief, that the feel and character of the work is of equal to or Greater importance than technical attribute.
Ok, I do street,now no time to pose and if I am cut taking the shot that shot is no good to me, so I do have to give me some leeway?
Am open to suggestions Tks.

(Download)

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Flury wrote:

It is, the artist firm belief, that the feel and character of the work is of equal to or Greater importance than technical attribute.
Ok, I do street,now no time to pose and if I am cut taking the shot that shot is no good to me, so I do have to give me some leeway?
Am open to suggestions Tks.

In my opinion, if it is no good to you, then it is no good. If it tells the story you want to tell you should keep it; if it doesn't you shouldn't.

Bill P

As someone has already said, your photos should please you. What I think, or anyone else here, is of no consequence and should not be considered.

srt101fan

burkphoto wrote:

The more compelling the content, the less viewers ... (show quote)

Mighty brave of you to take on McLuhan, Bill....

I like your comparison with the audio world.

srt101fan

burkphoto wrote:

img src="https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/s... (show quote)

Great criteria to remember for evaluating a photo (or any work of art). And if you then think about why you answered the way you did, you might get some insights into your own creative drive....

User ID

If this set assaults any noise-averse IQ
geeks and leaves them feeling ill, then
it's mission accomplished !

(Download)

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

srt101fan wrote:

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

srt10, I see your point-- the obsession with what others think can be a roadblock to talent. However, Aristotle said that we start any skill by training, or imitating masters (or any teachers). I agree with him on the psychology of it. And I think we never stop learning, so when we see the great work of others, the first thing we do is to try it out for ourselves. Soon we will apply these lessons to new applications or in new ways--creatively.

Creation myths or stories show humans are like their creator in that they too create--but unlike the supreme creator, we cannot make things out of nothing. Even the jazz musician who ventures off the track of a theme, ad lib, still begins with the theme itself--usually written by somebody else but always written down by somebody, perhaps the performer. Artists of all kinds begin by copying those they admire or the works they like. The freedom (and the art) of creativity begins only as we tire of imitation and seek to improve on it. When we can shoot a photo in any of the styles we have studied, as any of the great masters might shoot it, then we are free, applying creative interpretation to a scene. Just breaking rules is not in itself creative genius, but it is indeed genius to apply the rules of one style to the occasion of other content (as when one applies the art of photojournalism to the art of portraiture, etc.)

What I call graphic art (as opposed to photography proper) is a horse of a different color. People who construct pictures with their bare hands, so to speak (as when showing dolphins or dinosaurs coming out of the head of a boy who is daydreaming, or melt negatives on purpose, etc.) are making up images. There is a market for such things, especially in advertising but also in photo galleries. Sometimes graphic art and photography overlap, and sometimes they don't.

In photography, generally speaking, the content is primary because photographs are generally meant to present content rather than mere shapes and colors in abstraction. Even abstract art of all kinds still presents content--well or badly. But content cannot be presented without some degree of technical skill or technical equipment. When people with arthritis play the piano, the marvel is not that they can play well but that they can play at all.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Some very good advice here—almost too much. I suggest you only "hear" those that come out as you are working, since some is contradictory. Trust your gut on this.

One huge disagreement I have, as a professional and retired professor, is with "make photos that please you; what others think is of no consequence." I know of no photographer considered to have made great photos who followed that. Yes of course, do what moves you; but learn from observing masters and good critiques, strive to improve.

Bill P

[ When people with arthritis play the piano, the marvel is not that they can play well but that they can play at all.[/quote]

I was fortunate to hear Marian McPartland late in her life when she had arthritis that made her hands claw like. It wasn't that she could play at all, the amazing thing was that she still sounded mostly the same as before.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

If you want a reason to quit, you don't need one just quit. I like making pictures and will go out when the only part of me that doesn't hurt is my hair. I do it because I am not going to sit and dry up. I found the "grim reaper" can't hit a moving target.