Does this make me a bad photographer? (Page 2): :sm24:...

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

rcarol wrote:

I agree with Quixdraw. Your images are quite good and have broad appeal. Dump the "Distinguished Photographer", keep shooting and most of all keep posting so that the rest of us can continue to enjoy your images.

Quixdraw Loc: x

jdub82 wrote:

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Thanks everyone, I may not jump off the cliff now!!!
P.S. He used a photo of a wolf in our training guide and the wrong paw was forward...

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Also, if you are worrying about a "perfect" photo, and can't manage it SOOC like most every other human on earth, your next class should be on photo editing. Lots of issues can be resolved there. Removing the stick for example. Many things that are missed in pre-shooting can be addressed in post-shooting.

Don't believe those that say you can't put lipstick on a pig. Of course you can.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

NMGal wrote:

He is a “nit picker”. Keep doing what you are doing as long as you enjoy it.

Nit picker - alternate spelling for Arrogant Schmuck?

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

A lot of that is nitpicking. In my opinion you post some of the best images that are posted here. I like the subject matter and quality. Most who view your images are not looking through the eyes of a professional. Rest easy, don't worry.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

FreddB wrote:

Nit picker - alternate spelling for Arrogant Schmuck?

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

BigDaddy wrote:

Also, if you are worrying about a "perfect" photo, and can't manage it SOOC like most every other human on earth, your next class should be on photo editing. Lots of issues can be resolved there. Removing the stick for example. Many things that are missed in pre-shooting can be addressed in post-shooting.

Don't believe those that say you can't put lipstick on a pig. Of course you can.

Ha, I plan to continue to do things like remove the stick. But of course we were told that is a big no no!

srt101fan

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)

To answer your title question: of course not!

Contrary to what some say, I believe there are "standards" for what makes a good photograph. It's not just a matter of taste.

You should remember that, as a teacher, the photographer is trying to help you get better. He can not do that by saying "nice shot", "good capture", "good work", and give you a thumbs up on everything you show him.

So we're all on a learning ladder. And he's trying to help you move up on yours. By critiquing your work, he's trying to get you to the next rung, without making a judgment of where you currently are on the ladder!

Give it some time and thought and you might come to agree with him. And then you can get back on the ladder....

[I think your photos are great!]

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

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)

Why are you crying? The pros that earn their money selling images will do whatever is necessary to produce a money earning image. Just because National Geographic is not knocking on your door and asking you to go out on one of their assignments, it is hardly a sign that you are less than a very good photographer.

Your teacher is pointing out things that you can improve on. You should consider his comments nothing more than that. He is showing you what he would be looking for before pressing the shutter. But he has to earn money with his shots. You do not. And he will have plenty of throw aways that he does not consider good enough - that really may be good enough. And there are some pros that do not stop shooting just because it is not early morning or late afternoon (polarizer helps immensely for "high noon" shots).

Photographic opportunities are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For what your teaching pro sells, he does not shoot in all those hours. You do not have to earn your living from your shooting. So learn what you can do better, use all of it on all of your shooting, and do not hold yourself to his standards. Your standards are yours, not his.

Now why are you thinking of crying?

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Photolady2014 wrote:

Ha, I plan to continue to do things like remove the stick. But of course we were told that is a big no no!

Since stick removal is --needless to say-- verboten, had you considered other alternatives? Like paying your models more? or providing each with professional stylists rather than those sub-minimalum wage ones you've obviously been using?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

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.

Same for the bird on the buffalo.

I use the "rules" as guidelines.
I NEVER pick apart anyone's photos, I take them for how they appear.
I have many photos that would look different if I took them a different way, but I didn't. I'm not going to spend hours analyzing every possible effect of every variable.
I am definitely NOT a perfectionist or picayune. And I do realize that another composition may be more appealing. That's why I review a shot when I can and try a different view. If I take 5 shots, the 6th or 7th may even be better? How far should I go? 20 shots? 30 shots? Could they be made better? Probably. But better and best are only in the minds eye of the beholder. Everyone will see an image differently. Every image could always be better, perception.

Shadow yields depth. Did he tell you that one?

I'm not absorbed with "guiding someone through their journey" either.
I am me, not someone else.

I like your photos by the way.

Remember, those are his opinions.
I wouldn't get overly concerned.

duaneweir Loc: Meridian, Idaho

So, just What are the qualifications of an "expert"? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, one eye is a good as other eyes.. Nature is not always perfect etc. Forget this guy and keep on taking the pics your way, which is very, very good and enjoyable! Don't drink this guys cup of tea, your cup is excellent although he may not drink your tea.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Rules exist whether you follow them or not.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

"Expert": Used to be drip.

Relative.....