Does this make me a bad photographer? (Page 6): In art, there are no rules. Only personal recommendations.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

The Rules exist whether you follow them or not.

In art, there are no rules. Only personal recommendations.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

rook2c4 wrote:

In art, there are no rules. Only personal recommendations.

And preferences?

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Photolady2014 wrote:

You answered my question in a round about way. And yes, I want to improve that is why I have taken 2 classes this year with 2 different pros. The questions was simply is it bad to still take a photo even if I know it does not have all the elements. Just take a photo because I like it, it will remind me of a moment and even share it knowing it is not award winning.

That's a silly question. Who cares when and where and how you take your images....
Now if it's too much of a hassle to get up early in the morning to chase the better light and images, it doesn't make you a bad photographer, just one that's not committed enough to do what it takes. Is it a hobby or a passion? If it's a passion, then doing what over it takes is easy. If just a hobby, then keep it that way and shoot when convenient.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

martinfisherphoto wrote:

That's a silly question. Who cares when and where and how you take your images....
Now if it's too much of a hassle to get up early in the morning to chase the better light and images, it doesn't make you a bad photographer, just one that's not committed enough to do what it takes. Is it a hobby or a passion? If it's a passion, then doing what over it takes is easy. If just a hobby, then keep it that way and shoot when convenient.

Enjoy it, don't be burdened by it.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Longshadow wrote:

Enjoy it, don't be burdened by it.

YEP.......

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Life is like photography, it's easy until you try to understand it.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nice image, Beth. There is no "perfect". We all have different things we like and dislike. We can only strive for what is perfect for our own tastes.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

So he expects you to wait for the animal to pose perfectly before you snap the image. By that time it has walked into bad light or run off. Take everything he taught you and use what you think is apt. Don't stress. I think your images are great.

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

Beth, I looked over both posts and am very envious of your abilities. “Rules” of composition aren’t cast in stone, but guidelines and suggestions. For me the bird/buffalo image isn’t diminished by the shadows, but add to the three dimensional effect. True the early and late lightning is preferred, but if I only shot then I would be severely cramped. The only suggestion I have is to try lightening the lower right shadow on the fox to show more texture of the fur. The instructor might be award winning, but he is a photo snob much like wine snobs and culinary snobs. Look for the pearls and discard the rest.

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!,

Bill

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

The guy who taught me would tell me everything he liked in the photo first. then in a very polite manor he would tell me what could have made it better.
Guess what, he was always right. I very very much appreciated his comments and still miss them.
Here on this UHH you get a lot of how beautiful as hot is. That is always nice but doesnt do one thing to help me be better. ( there are a few that want to try and put down every photo I ignore them)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

kpmac wrote:

So he expects you to wait for the animal to pose perfectly before you snap the image. By that time it has walked into bad light or run off. Take everything he taught you and use what you think is apt. Don't stress. I think your images are great.

Imagine going on a once in a lifetime trip and not taking any pictures because the sun was too high, the clouds were too low, the wind was too strong, and the shots just weren't worth it, they weren't going to be great.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

bdk wrote:

The guy who taught me would tell me everything he liked in the photo first. then in a very polite manor he would tell me what could have made it better.
Guess what, he was always right. I very very much appreciated his comments and still miss them.
Here on this UHH you get a lot of how beautiful as hot is. That is always nice but doesnt do one thing to help me be better. ( there are a few that want to try and put down every photo I ignore them)

Are you asking or just presenting images here.

srt101fan

Photolady2014 wrote:

Yes, that was never the intent. I wanted to hear what was needed to improve. The question was now that I know all the things that are needed in a photo to make it award winning, is it bad of me to still want to take a photo mid day with a bad background.

No, not in my book. I believe that the content (subject) is most important. If you see a unicorn you have to take the shot, even if the lighting and background are bad!🙄

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

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!

QD said it all. When all is said and done, you will be the one who is there considering not only what is deemed "correct", but what is possible and what pleases you. Those so called rules may apply to contests and photos made for sale to commercial publications, but you are certainly not bound by them in any other context (unless you want to become a seller of photography lessons).

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TheShoe wrote:

QD said it all. When all is said and done, you will be the one who is there considering not only what is deemed "correct", but what is possible and what pleases you. Those so called rules may apply to contests and photos made for sale to commercial publications, but you are certainly not bound by them in any other context (unless you want to become a seller of photography lessons).