I ran across this article on my news feeds this morning and it really struck a cord: The Eye of a Photographer 👁️ The world looks different to a photographer than it does to everyone...

RonKoris Loc: St. Helena Island, SC

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️

The world looks different to a photographer than it does to everyone else. Why can a photographer capture flat images and turn them into art? The eye of a photographer sees light, details, shadows, highlights, shapes and how they interact with each other.

The world looks different if you see it with both eyes rather than with only one eye. Close an eye and look at an object. Do you see what I mean? Well, by closing an eye before taking a shot, you will have a pretty good idea of what you can expect from your image.
Photographers explore the light and texture. Light is probably their most important tool. Photographers are intrigued by the way the nature of light affects the way things are seen. Intensity, direction, and type of light offer the photographer a potential for visual exploration. Photographers have mastered how to use the rules of composition and know when to break them. Photography is a process.

Our eyes work similar to a camera. Here are some facts that you might even find amusing: Our eyes have a resolution of around 560 megapixels. They can differentiate around 10 million shades of colors. The ISO of an eye is not great; it can be measured at around 800, and in low light, our eyes do not see color. The equivalent of the aperture would be f/3.5 with a focal length of 20mm. The great thing about our eyes is that they have auto white balance, auto ISO, and a very high dynamic range.
Some photographers have the eye when they’re born, but most of us develop it after practice and training. It can take several years to begin to notice things differently.
A photographer doesn’t need expensive equipment to take great photos. The best camera gear in the world is not going to help a photographer see or be aware of his or her surroundings. It’s all about the art of seeing. With a photographer’s eye, you see things in a way that others don’t. That different way of seeing makes an impression on the people viewing your images.

A photographer thinks in photography concepts and sees in terms of photography. If you enjoy taking pictures, your attitude will show up in the final image.
Everything has the potential to be captured. It’s all about picturing an image in your head and making it happen. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

This article was written by Joaquin Duenas. PhotoBlog

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

So true, so very true!

tedmoore Loc: Philadelphia

Spot on!

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

This reaffirms what I have been saying for a long time: what's behind the camera is more important than what's in the camera.

Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

this is why i mostly use the screen to compose images as it allows the use of both eyes to collect information for the Mind. i learned this during the many years i used a view camera. most of us have a dominate eye and get most of what we see from there. i have trained myself to see with both eyes.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

RonKoris wrote:

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️

The world looks different to a photographer than it does to everyone else. Why can a photographer capture flat images and turn them into art? The eye of a photographer sees light, details, shadows, highlights, shapes and how they interact with each other.

The world looks different if you see it with both eyes rather than with only one eye. Close an eye and look at an object. Do you see what I mean? Well, by closing an eye before taking a shot, you will have a pretty good idea of what you can expect from your image.
Photographers explore the light and texture. Light is probably their most important tool. Photographers are intrigued by the way the nature of light affects the way things are seen. Intensity, direction, and type of light offer the photographer a potential for visual exploration. Photographers have mastered how to use the rules of composition and know when to break them. Photography is a process.

Our eyes work similar to a camera. Here are some facts that you might even find amusing: Our eyes have a resolution of around 560 megapixels. They can differentiate around 10 million shades of colors. The ISO of an eye is not great; it can be measured at around 800, and in low light, our eyes do not see color. The equivalent of the aperture would be f/3.5 with a focal length of 20mm. The great thing about our eyes is that they have auto white balance, auto ISO, and a very high dynamic range.
Some photographers have the eye when they’re born, but most of us develop it after practice and training. It can take several years to begin to notice things differently.
A photographer doesn’t need expensive equipment to take great photos. The best camera gear in the world is not going to help a photographer see or be aware of his or her surroundings. It’s all about the art of seeing. With a photographer’s eye, you see things in a way that others don’t. That different way of seeing makes an impression on the people viewing your images.

A photographer thinks in photography concepts and sees in terms of photography. If you enjoy taking pictures, your attitude will show up in the final image.
Everything has the potential to be captured. It’s all about picturing an image in your head and making it happen. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

This article was written by Joaquin Duenas. PhotoBlog

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️ br br The world loo... (show quote)

Nice affirming article. I think I’ve reached the point where I do see things differently in terms of lighting and composition. I use to shoot images that appealed to me without those two elements fully in mind. Now when I go out, I notice the sky and clouds more; with an awareness of the direction of the light/shadows and how it affects any subject I’m seeing (day or night) and thinking about adjustments to the “golden triangle” - ISO/f-stop/speed, before I "compose" and shoot. Thanks for sharing.

MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

Absolutely true!

RichinSeattle

RonKoris wrote:

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️

"... Photographers have mastered how to use the rules of composition and know when to break them. ..."

Is a "Photographer" anyone with a camera (incl. smart phones)? Then, is photography necessarily an art form? Of course not, and the proof of that is in the millions of snaps/pix/shots produced everyday portraying whatever the photog finds to be pretty, cute, gorgeous, quirky, etc.

A camera is a tool, just like a painter's palette and brush. One doesn't "take" or "capture" a picture, an artist MAKES the picture. Skill at using one's tools is important, but composition is the key.

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

RichinSeattle wrote:

Is a "Photographer" anyone with a camera... (show quote)

I agree with you for the most part but would take issue with "capture." Most photography these days consists of capturing a moment in time. Other than that you are spot on.

Pepsiman Loc: New York City

RonKoris wrote:

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️

The world looks different to a photographer than it does to everyone else. Why can a photographer capture flat images and turn them into art? The eye of a photographer sees light, details, shadows, highlights, shapes and how they interact with each other.

The world looks different if you see it with both eyes rather than with only one eye. Close an eye and look at an object. Do you see what I mean? Well, by closing an eye before taking a shot, you will have a pretty good idea of what you can expect from your image.
Photographers explore the light and texture. Light is probably their most important tool. Photographers are intrigued by the way the nature of light affects the way things are seen. Intensity, direction, and type of light offer the photographer a potential for visual exploration. Photographers have mastered how to use the rules of composition and know when to break them. Photography is a process.

Our eyes work similar to a camera. Here are some facts that you might even find amusing: Our eyes have a resolution of around 560 megapixels. They can differentiate around 10 million shades of colors. The ISO of an eye is not great; it can be measured at around 800, and in low light, our eyes do not see color. The equivalent of the aperture would be f/3.5 with a focal length of 20mm. The great thing about our eyes is that they have auto white balance, auto ISO, and a very high dynamic range.
Some photographers have the eye when they’re born, but most of us develop it after practice and training. It can take several years to begin to notice things differently.
A photographer doesn’t need expensive equipment to take great photos. The best camera gear in the world is not going to help a photographer see or be aware of his or her surroundings. It’s all about the art of seeing. With a photographer’s eye, you see things in a way that others don’t. That different way of seeing makes an impression on the people viewing your images.

A photographer thinks in photography concepts and sees in terms of photography. If you enjoy taking pictures, your attitude will show up in the final image.
Everything has the potential to be captured. It’s all about picturing an image in your head and making it happen. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

This article was written by Joaquin Duenas. PhotoBlog

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️ br br The world loo... (show quote)

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

RichinSeattle wrote:

Is a "Photographer" anyone with a camera... (show quote)

IMHO, the title of the OP's article "The Eye of a Photographer 👁️" is about visualizing the final image and using photographic knowledge. experience and skills to create and present it. If one is at that level.....it doesn't matter the tool (iphone, DSLR or Mirroless) that's used; that's not the point. I agree, there's "millions of snaps/pix/shots produced everyday portraying whatever the photog (just people) finds to be pretty, cute, gorgeous, quirky, etc......and it doesn't matter a bit to them

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Good read, thanks.

Don

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RonKoris wrote:

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️

The world looks different to a photographer than it does to everyone else. Why can a photographer capture flat images and turn them into art? The eye of a photographer sees light, details, shadows, highlights, shapes and how they interact with each other.

The world looks different if you see it with both eyes rather than with only one eye. Close an eye and look at an object. Do you see what I mean? Well, by closing an eye before taking a shot, you will have a pretty good idea of what you can expect from your image.
Photographers explore the light and texture. Light is probably their most important tool. Photographers are intrigued by the way the nature of light affects the way things are seen. Intensity, direction, and type of light offer the photographer a potential for visual exploration. Photographers have mastered how to use the rules of composition and know when to break them. Photography is a process.

Our eyes work similar to a camera. Here are some facts that you might even find amusing: Our eyes have a resolution of around 560 megapixels. They can differentiate around 10 million shades of colors. The ISO of an eye is not great; it can be measured at around 800, and in low light, our eyes do not see color. The equivalent of the aperture would be f/3.5 with a focal length of 20mm. The great thing about our eyes is that they have auto white balance, auto ISO, and a very high dynamic range.
Some photographers have the eye when they’re born, but most of us develop it after practice and training. It can take several years to begin to notice things differently.
A photographer doesn’t need expensive equipment to take great photos. The best camera gear in the world is not going to help a photographer see or be aware of his or her surroundings. It’s all about the art of seeing. With a photographer’s eye, you see things in a way that others don’t. That different way of seeing makes an impression on the people viewing your images.

A photographer thinks in photography concepts and sees in terms of photography. If you enjoy taking pictures, your attitude will show up in the final image.
Everything has the potential to be captured. It’s all about picturing an image in your head and making it happen. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

This article was written by Joaquin Duenas. PhotoBlog

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️ br br The world loo... (show quote)

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Doyle Thomas wrote:

this is why i mostly use the screen to compose images as it allows the use of both eyes to collect information for the Mind. i learned this during the many years i used a view camera. most of us have a dominate eye and get most of what we see from there. i have trained myself to see with both eyes.

Makes no sense. One eye, two eyes or a dozen eyes, the image on the screen is cyclopian no matter how many eyes you employ to view it.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

RonKoris wrote:

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️

The world looks different to a photographer than it does to everyone else. Why can a photographer capture flat images and turn them into art? The eye of a photographer sees light, details, shadows, highlights, shapes and how they interact with each other.

The world looks different if you see it with both eyes rather than with only one eye. Close an eye and look at an object. Do you see what I mean? Well, by closing an eye before taking a shot, you will have a pretty good idea of what you can expect from your image.
Photographers explore the light and texture. Light is probably their most important tool. Photographers are intrigued by the way the nature of light affects the way things are seen. Intensity, direction, and type of light offer the photographer a potential for visual exploration. Photographers have mastered how to use the rules of composition and know when to break them. Photography is a process.

Our eyes work similar to a camera. Here are some facts that you might even find amusing: Our eyes have a resolution of around 560 megapixels. They can differentiate around 10 million shades of colors. The ISO of an eye is not great; it can be measured at around 800, and in low light, our eyes do not see color. The equivalent of the aperture would be f/3.5 with a focal length of 20mm. The great thing about our eyes is that they have auto white balance, auto ISO, and a very high dynamic range.
Some photographers have the eye when they’re born, but most of us develop it after practice and training. It can take several years to begin to notice things differently.
A photographer doesn’t need expensive equipment to take great photos. The best camera gear in the world is not going to help a photographer see or be aware of his or her surroundings. It’s all about the art of seeing. With a photographer’s eye, you see things in a way that others don’t. That different way of seeing makes an impression on the people viewing your images.

A photographer thinks in photography concepts and sees in terms of photography. If you enjoy taking pictures, your attitude will show up in the final image.
Everything has the potential to be captured. It’s all about picturing an image in your head and making it happen. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

This article was written by Joaquin Duenas. PhotoBlog

The Eye of a Photographer 👁️ br br The world loo... (show quote)

I think the bit about seeing with one eye is significant. We see in 3-D, but our camera and the photos it produces are in 2-D (unless of course we use a 3-D camera). Sometimes we take a shot and when we blow it up on the computer, it just doesn't do much for us. This could be one explanation for our dissatisfaction -- things just might not look as good in 2-D as they did in 3-D.