Does this make me a bad photographer? (Page 10): It is very humbling and overwhelming (and depressing :) to take a class like you did. Take a deep breath and take what you can from the...

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

It is very humbling and overwhelming (and depressing :) to take a class like you did. Take a deep breath and take what you can from the class and move forward. And know that you can't control all all that he taught especially in wildlife photography. Sometimes you are just lucky to get the shot- branches, sky and all. But since you took the class you might find yourself incorporating some of what you learned little by little and that is the value of your 4 harrowing days. The images that appeal eliminate the busy backgrounds, branches in front of the subject, deep shadows that distract etc. Take a look at Hector Astorga online - or Marina Cano. I think they would be less nitpicky and more realistic. And enjoy your photography the way you want to do it. I've enjoyed your postings.

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

Tracy B. wrote:

Well, I'm not a "professional" photographer, however I can recognize a good photograph. Your photographs are beautiful. I especially love the fox. It is art and He's opinion isn't set in stone for everybody.

I fully agree with you !

ecommons

quixdraw wrote:

Take a deep breath, forget nearly everything the "Distinguished Photographer" said. Two things, a big Cheese always has to be that, ego! Second if he can't find all sorts of things wrong, how can he get you to take more and better classes. There is no one standard or size that fits all. Choose things you found useful, toss the rest and move on. You take lots of photos that are very fine, you did before the class, and will continue to do so!

First off, I think your photographs were good. You instructor was bad. Sure, he's probably a great professional photographer, but he is not a teacher. You are shooting nature photos, and nature doesn't always cooperate. You can't move the light to a better position, you can't tell your subject to turn slightly to the left.

You learned some things to help make you a better photographer. That was your purpose. Your instructor, should always tell you what you did well at the beginning of his evaluation. Then he should offer ways to improve your photograph. A good instructor should evaluate and not criticize. You just had a bad instructor

Nature photography is working with what you have. Nature doesn't have portable reflectors to redirect the light to fill a shadow. Nature won't wait around for the light direction to change. You capture you image the best you can, at the time you and the subject are together. You can wait for hours hoping to get that perfect light striking the rocks in Monument Valley, but that bird is not going to hang around that long.

bbradford Loc: Wake Forest NC

I agree with Quixdraw. I like your photos. I think the baboon is wonderful.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Photolady2014 wrote:

Morning all! So I just got through taking a 5 day class with a very well known photographer who has won many, many awards, photos in the Smithsonian and is a judge for contests like Natures Best Photography. I learned sooo much about what makes a great photo.

Half way through the 5 days I was feeling quite overwhelmed and almost in tears because to get the photo that he would consider a photo seems near impossible. I totally understand photos before and just after sunrise and sunset are the best, but is it awful that I still want to take photos mid day? On several of my trips I have still gotten photos I really like, even though they do not have the special light and there are shadows etc. I scoured my photos and submitted them for the class and so far I do not have one photo that is not a "non-photo" due to shadow or lack of a hook or a background that is not totally creamy, or a host of other bad things.

I will post some of his comments to what I thought was going to be an ok photo.

The last one was reviewed verbally, the shadows! Bridge of the nose by eye, and the light patch of fur below the right eye as you look at the photo and curve shadow back to the nose is a big distraction. He could tell I was off by 2 degrees and that caused the bad shadow. The lighter fur to the left of the nose stops the eye from traveling from the lower left to the eye. You are supposed to have something soft in the lower left that makes your eye travel from lower left to the "hook" eye. In this case it does not work due to light fur interrupts the flow to the eye and then the shadows on the right. Then, the white fur on the lips could have been lightened to make it better if the other issues had not condemned it to be a "non-photo". Oh and the green line going through the background is bad.

Who knew you were not supposed to have sky in a bird photo, or that with something like a coyote all 4 legs must have separation and no crossover and that the farthest away front leg should be going forward. That the background must be very creamy with no light and dark areas. Shadows are the worst! Like crap, I was off by 2 or 4 degrees with the shadow. Must have a hook, no lines and of course good light, no messy sticks. Example an owl in a tree is bad if the leaves are all around it.

Anyway, I feel like a bad person/photographer for still liking some of my photos that are not perfect and still wanting to just have fun taking a photo and if I see a mom and baby moose at noon in a messy field of grass with a shadow, I'm still going to take the photo!

Again, I learned a LOT and the pro is a very nice guy and very talented. I will try and do what he says, but may still take what I know will be a "non-photo" am I bad?

Comments welcome, I have had lots of criticism lately, I can handle it! Well I might cry....

Morning all! So I just got through taking a 5 day... (show quote)

Gaaaaaaa!!!

One person’s food is another’s fertilizer.

“Rules” are learning aids in photography. Observing them when possible is great, but I’m willing to break a rule if needed to get a good image.

I’m not a fan of rigid artistic requirements. To me, blurred backgrounds are a cliche. i believe there are unlimited strategies for effective composition. Shadows exist in nature, so get over it, Mr. Fancy Pants instructor. And what is that hook you’re talking about?

Do people like your images? Do they tell the stories you want to tell? Do they cause the eyes to linger?

Perfection is an ideal. Strive too hard for it, and you risk being boring. Don’t attempt to reach it, and you miss out on “good.”

Find your happy medium.

reguli Loc: Uruguay

Photolady2014 wrote:

Morning all! So I just got through taking a 5 day class with a very well known photographer who has won many, many awards, photos in the Smithsonian and is a judge for contests like Natures Best Photography. I learned sooo much about what makes a great photo.

Half way through the 5 days I was feeling quite overwhelmed and almost in tears because to get the photo that he would consider a photo seems near impossible. I totally understand photos before and just after sunrise and sunset are the best, but is it awful that I still want to take photos mid day? On several of my trips I have still gotten photos I really like, even though they do not have the special light and there are shadows etc. I scoured my photos and submitted them for the class and so far I do not have one photo that is not a "non-photo" due to shadow or lack of a hook or a background that is not totally creamy, or a host of other bad things.

I will post some of his comments to what I thought was going to be an ok photo.

The last one was reviewed verbally, the shadows! Bridge of the nose by eye, and the light patch of fur below the right eye as you look at the photo and curve shadow back to the nose is a big distraction. He could tell I was off by 2 degrees and that caused the bad shadow. The lighter fur to the left of the nose stops the eye from traveling from the lower left to the eye. You are supposed to have something soft in the lower left that makes your eye travel from lower left to the "hook" eye. In this case it does not work due to light fur interrupts the flow to the eye and then the shadows on the right. Then, the white fur on the lips could have been lightened to make it better if the other issues had not condemned it to be a "non-photo". Oh and the green line going through the background is bad.

Who knew you were not supposed to have sky in a bird photo, or that with something like a coyote all 4 legs must have separation and no crossover and that the farthest away front leg should be going forward. That the background must be very creamy with no light and dark areas. Shadows are the worst! Like crap, I was off by 2 or 4 degrees with the shadow. Must have a hook, no lines and of course good light, no messy sticks. Example an owl in a tree is bad if the leaves are all around it.

Anyway, I feel like a bad person/photographer for still liking some of my photos that are not perfect and still wanting to just have fun taking a photo and if I see a mom and baby moose at noon in a messy field of grass with a shadow, I'm still going to take the photo!

Again, I learned a LOT and the pro is a very nice guy and very talented. I will try and do what he says, but may still take what I know will be a "non-photo" am I bad?

Comments welcome, I have had lots of criticism lately, I can handle it! Well I might cry....

Morning all! So I just got through taking a 5 day... (show quote)

I remember the movie Dead Poets Society with Robin William. At the beginning of the film, the teacher compares the poetry with a mathematical graph. Too much technique and no passion and feeling. Your photos must be good for you in the first place. I guess you feel comfortable with them when you look at them from time to time remembering beautiful days. I would like to see your "super teacher" in a situation with an animal moving from one place to another and take a photo taking into account the shadows, the boket, the rule of thirds, the lights and everything in focus. It is easy to criticize, but very difficult to teach properly. Of course, each photo can be enhanced to show other people your work, but for you, in all cases, it is your adorable photo. By the way, the photos you presented here are fantastic. Keep going Beth.

recb

The most important criteria is whether you are happy with your photographic results. All the rest is information that you either wish to use in achieving what you consider a great image or that you discard as an opinion that isn't relevant to your quest.

GerryER Loc: Virginia USA

quixdraw wrote:

Take a deep breath, forget nearly everything the "Distinguished Photographer" said. Two things, a big Cheese always has to be that, ego! Second if he can't find all sorts of things wrong, how can he get you to take more and better classes. There is no one standard or size that fits all. Choose things you found useful, toss the rest and move on. You take lots of photos that are very fine, you did before the class, and will continue to do so!

This is the best assessment. Photography is very subjective; some people will like what you do, others won't and most don't really care. Your pictures are wonderful, and I agree with what another poster intimated, that what the "pro" thinks and 25 cents won't buy you a cup of coffee.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Well…. I guess based on the “expert,” I might as well delete about 120gig off my computer’s hard drive. Or, on second thought, I could remind myself that I’m shooting for my benefit alone. I’d have to suggest to the “expert” that I’m also looking for positive feedback, not just negative. By the way, I’m obviously not an expert because I thoroughly enjoy those you shared. Keep shooting!

jtm1943

47greyfox wrote:

Well…. I guess based on the “expert,” I might as well delete about 120gig off my computer’s hard drive. Or, on second thought, I could remind myself that I’m shooting for my benefit alone. I’d have to suggest to the “expert” that I’m also looking for positive feedback, not just negative. By the way, I’m obviously not an expert because I thoroughly enjoy those you shared. Keep shooting!

WarpedWeaver

I agree with Mama Bear. You do you. Your photos are excellent. Don't let some "expert" ruin your fun or love for photography, as you clearly have an eye for animals.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

1, too, love your animal photos! I'm definitely not an expert but I get a WOW feeling when I look at them! I would like to suggest checking out some of the articles and books written by Joel Sartore, the famous National Geographic photographer. They have certain rules and tough editors and he goes into detail describing his work. Now, I love looking at the pix in National Geo and Smithsonian mags and sort of analyzing them.
Hmmh...There are lots of shadows!

jtm1943

Well, everyone here is being nice. I say dump the jerk!

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Photolady2014 wrote:

Morning all! So I just got through taking a 5 day class with a very well known photographer who has won many, many awards, photos in the Smithsonian and is a judge for contests like Natures Best Photography. I learned sooo much about what makes a great photo.

Half way through the 5 days I was feeling quite overwhelmed and almost in tears because to get the photo that he would consider a photo seems near impossible. I totally understand photos before and just after sunrise and sunset are the best, but is it awful that I still want to take photos mid day? On several of my trips I have still gotten photos I really like, even though they do not have the special light and there are shadows etc. I scoured my photos and submitted them for the class and so far I do not have one photo that is not a "non-photo" due to shadow or lack of a hook or a background that is not totally creamy, or a host of other bad things.

I will post some of his comments to what I thought was going to be an ok photo.

The last one was reviewed verbally, the shadows! Bridge of the nose by eye, and the light patch of fur below the right eye as you look at the photo and curve shadow back to the nose is a big distraction. He could tell I was off by 2 degrees and that caused the bad shadow. The lighter fur to the left of the nose stops the eye from traveling from the lower left to the eye. You are supposed to have something soft in the lower left that makes your eye travel from lower left to the "hook" eye. In this case it does not work due to light fur interrupts the flow to the eye and then the shadows on the right. Then, the white fur on the lips could have been lightened to make it better if the other issues had not condemned it to be a "non-photo". Oh and the green line going through the background is bad.

Who knew you were not supposed to have sky in a bird photo, or that with something like a coyote all 4 legs must have separation and no crossover and that the farthest away front leg should be going forward. That the background must be very creamy with no light and dark areas. Shadows are the worst! Like crap, I was off by 2 or 4 degrees with the shadow. Must have a hook, no lines and of course good light, no messy sticks. Example an owl in a tree is bad if the leaves are all around it.

Anyway, I feel like a bad person/photographer for still liking some of my photos that are not perfect and still wanting to just have fun taking a photo and if I see a mom and baby moose at noon in a messy field of grass with a shadow, I'm still going to take the photo!

Again, I learned a LOT and the pro is a very nice guy and very talented. I will try and do what he says, but may still take what I know will be a "non-photo" am I bad?

Comments welcome, I have had lots of criticism lately, I can handle it! Well I might cry....

Morning all! So I just got through taking a 5 day... (show quote)

Quixdraw’s and Big Daddy’s advice are words to live by. In nature photography, there are a many elements in a photo-op that the photographer has no control over but that doesn’t mean you don’t take the shot because of them. The work you’ve posted here is exemplary and has universal appeal IMO. Take the criticism for what it is - another persons opinion. Use it if you can but don’t let it rigidly dictate your approach to your craft.

Stan

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

The photos and defiantly no bad. The idea of tearing down your photos, to me shows me that he has to learn how to teach photography. Can you take a better picture is in our minds all the time and that is how we improve. You should be pleased with you work today but, should always keep working to get better. Don't look at your self as a failure but a photographer and we all want to get better, that part of the photo challenge.