I look at each photo hoping that it's going to "work" for me. I can usually tell within the first few seconds and if it does work for me I'll enjoy it for what it is. If it doesn't work for me, I won't dwell on it and nothing's lost. In any case I may spend some time trying to determine why it does or doesn't work, but that sort of analysis is very much an afterthought.
It's possible to learn from successes as well as failures, but I don't start off by thinking of every photo I view as a possible learning opportunity. I think appreciation and enjoyment are priorities when viewing photos and I wouldn't want analysis to get in the way of that. But I do value the learning that's to be gained from looking at other people's work.
JohnR
Loc: The Gates of Hell
I just viewed one on UHH and thought "would I keep it or bin it" I guess that's probably my main criteria.
The first thing I look for is to see if it is something I'd want to hang on a wall or something I'd just keep anyway because it saves a good memory. I'm an artist (paint & brush kind) not a good photographer, but I guess I'm too picky. And then there are those photos that are loved anyway, just because they hold precious memories.
Longshadow wrote:
Do people go to an art museum, look at a painting, then figure out if the artist should have made it darker, lighter, composed it differently, gave it more detail, depicted a different time of day??????????
Or do they just enjoy it, or not.
I look at the old masters Art to study the lighting and then I ponder did the light really come from that direction or did the artist make it come from that direction with his choice of paints.
I simply love to look at pictures and try to find joy in all of them. Some are less joyful than others I will admit.......and so forth.
It depends. When I look for the first time, I look for how to improve, either by technique or post-processing. When finished and thereafter, I look at the whole image for a reaction.
Blair Shaw Jr wrote:
I simply love to look at pictures and try to find joy in all of them. Some are less joyful than others I will admit.......and so forth.
That's because now, your heart has seen too many mirrorless images and your eyes have adjusted.
grandpaw wrote:
When you look at a photograph, do you look for the positive things in the photo first or do you look for things you think need corrected? I guess this is a glass half full or half empty question. Again, just curios.
If I like the photo, I examine it to try to find why I like it. If I don't like it, I might spend a couple of seconds to think about what I would have done differently, but most times I will just move on.
My first impression of any photo is the overall reaction it gives to me. Some are so-so and others are an almost immediate WOW. i will comment positively on those I really like and will try to give constructive critique when the poster asked for comments. I try to be honest and constructive, not derogatory or harsh in my comments. I guess that is because I know I can use the criticism and comments to improve my own photography.
I commented on another forum/social media site once about a photo and the person who posted jumped on my comments and was very disturbed that I commented, despite the fact that the forum indicated that photos were to be posted for comments and suggestions.
I simply look at the photo and try to determine what part of the image draws me to it. I think that usually if there is something wrong with photo you really don't have to look for it. It will pop out at you.
No, just analytical! I'm the same, so a little biased.
If I like it, I keep it. First look, what does it do for me? Memorable or not.
My Mug is refillable, Iām an optomist.
grandpaw wrote:
When you look at a photograph, do you look for the positive things in the photo first or do you look for things you think need corrected? I guess this is a glass half full or half empty question. Again, just curios.
Typically, if the photo doesn't move me, I just move on without taking the time to decide why it doesn't impress me. If the photo does move me, I will usually take the time to figure out why I like it.
I was out yesterday and took five photos of the same basic subject; I moved just a little bit (inches) to the left for each one. If I moved to the right I would have had a light pole in the photo, so I didn't go that way. When I got home and examined the five photos I looked for the one I liked the best -- and there was one! Why did I like the other four less (I liked them less, I didn't "hate" them)? It came down to composition. A side from technical issues (like bad focus), I look for photos that appeal to me. Many times I'll take a photograph that I think will be great and it turns out that it just doesn't work for me. Again, it's a matter of something that appeals to me.
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