Brandy in Idaho

This morning I was on a site (PetaPixel), reading an article,(Photographic talent isn't age specific). Then I went on to read one of the related posts, (Why you shouldn't give too much weight to anonymous online critics). There was a photograph shown,and a name of a photographer as well. All of the critiques were negative. Then it was revealed that this was the photograph of a well known French photographer, taken in the 1930's and recently sold for well over $200,000! Then all those who had made their negative critiques were upset and defensive that they had not recognized, not only the photo, but that it was clearly recognized as a great photograph! So my question is, just what constitutes a good photographer, and what qualifications must a photographer achieve to be called a Master? Clearly this article shows that critiquing a photo isn't what it takes. Check out the article for your self.

ahzwizerd2 Loc: Willowbrook, ca

It depends on compisition, clarity, telling a story, and appeal depending on what the photo is used for.

If you are famous and you put out crap someone will always like it and make excuses for it because you are famous.
I hate that
You know yourself you have an award winning shot but won't be excepted because you are not known. So weird.

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

A good photographer is one who thinks his/her picture are never good enough but are loved (and kept by the viewer/purchaser)

My teacher told me (as an example) that any picture that create ooooh and ahhhh when first looked at is crap. The like of the client is instant but temporary. For him a good picture was one that made folks look at it twice and doubt. When he reached that point he printed a 30*40, framed image, and told the client to hand it in house and return it in a month if he did not like it. 99% of the time they kept the picture and paid a bundle for it.

Why? because folks (in portraiture) want to push an image that is not them. His greatness was to see through that and shot who they tried to hid. Once in the person (or family house) friends and family recognized the person as how THEY saw him or her. The sale was made.

So, no, this not about diplomas, technical know how but about vision and psychology.

Qualification to be master do not exist. They are usually great teachers, great communicators (or hermits who grumble all the time about this or that) but always capable to deliver no matter what.

Brandy in Idaho

I guess I can relate to that some what. I use to live in Jackson Hole Wyoming, and I'd have a photo that was every bit as good as was in any of the local studio's and in some cases, were almost identical to landscapes that they had taken of our beautiful Grand Tetons.Yet mine wouldn't sell. Maybe I should open a business and call it I'm famous too!LOL!

Brandy in Idaho

Well put English wolf! That is why we all remember the photo on the cover of National Geographic of the woman from the middle East with those haunting green eye's! I'm sure you know the one.

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

To me and this is just personal opinion, a good photograph will show things as they really are. Lightening or darkening the exposure and a little cropping are okay but when it comes to changing everything around no way. To me a photograph is an image to be saved for future use as an historical representation of the way things really were. My most cherished photos are family pictures that were completely unposed. I have one I took of my grandfather in our kitchen in his bib overalls 4 days before he died. It means more to me than any professional portrait because that was really him.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I think it's totaly subjective, personally I dislike selective colouring, so no matter how get the image might be I can't get past it and I don't like it and I hate it.

Some paintings sell for millions of dollars, I can't figure out what makes some worth the money when it's simply a painting of a can of soup. LOL

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

A good photograph captures your attention and says something to you, whether it's the Grand Canyon, Aunt Tillie or a dramatic war photo. I try to compose the shot through the viewfinder, not planning on major cropping, and get the exposure just so. But Photoshop is my friend. It lets me turn good shots into very good shots. Great shots? Perhaps in my mind, I don't know about yours. Posterity has yet to address this issue.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Sometimes, I find myself drooling because a photographer is in some place that's spectacular and dramatic all by itself. Sorry, don't have the budget to go there. But there's plenty of interest and beauty just about everywhere.

Brandy in Idaho

I always wondered why THAT particular can was more beautiful to the artist than any others! And Why I can't set a can of soup on a shelf in my living room, and get the same ooooohh's and aaawww's? LOL!

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

You just don't have a good PR person to tell everyone how great it is. :D :D :D

ShakyShutter Loc: Arizona

Spelling nor grammar counts toward the Master designation.

Brandy in Idaho

I was blessed with a natural eye for composition, but I struggle when it comes to the technical things. Where I live now, while it's pretty, you can't see the forest for the tree's, so sometimes things can be limiting if you're looking for just scenic's. But you're right, RMM, there is a picture in every thing, you just have to look!

Brandy in Idaho

I guess I'll just fire my PR guy! I Think we all got into photography for the same reason, we could see beauty in so much, and in so many way's. Why would someone want to take a photo of a prostitute with knife scars on her arms, lighting up a joint? Because there is a story that can be told without the spoken word.It's powerful!

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

You are right Brandy. I look at weeds in flower and see beauty. The next person sees something that needs a shot of weed killer. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder..