BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

I’ve been reading a lot of posts recently basically alluding to the downward spiral of “quality” photography. There are those that believe the masses are more desires of the quick, fast, and low quality images grabbed on the spot by devices such as phones and the like. I say that in general people simply “settle” for these images because they are what the “photographer” is capable of producing, either because they do not have any other options, do not posses the skills to do a better job, or simply out of convenience. I think of the situation as a matter of differing levels of acceptance. Most people understand that these are quick snapshots and that there are better, more “professional” photographs that require more effort.

Recently a young man I have known for many years contacted me. He knows I am a Commercial Photographer and asked me to take some pictures of him simply to post on Instagram. He is an avid poster and had never been able to get over twenty something “likes” on any of his pictures taken with his IPhone 5S even though he has hundreds of followers. We went out and took some images and he posted the image below. It received hundreds of likes and over a hundred comments from his many followers easily becoming his most popular post. The bulk of the comments were not about how handsome he was, or his popular BEATS Headphones, not even about the super rare Jordan’s he was wearing. They were about the quality of the image itself. Comments like “it’s so clear” or “WOW that looks like it’s from a magazine” were pouring in. One woman said it was the best pic she had ever seen on Instagram and many wanted to know how he got the pic.

Now obviously I don’t think it’s the best picture ever taken but it was “technically” done correctly and with some descent equipment. I was actually very excited to read all the comments because it clearly showed that the masses (mostly twenty somethings) still have eyes and brains and when you hit them with a well-done or "real" image they can see the difference, and they still appreciate it. Oh and I have since been hired to take some of his followers pictures so they can shoot for Instagram fame HaHa. Keep snapping gang, and don’t let what the masses are doing distract or discourage you from “doing it right”.

For the techies, the image was shot with a Canon 5D MkII, Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II lens at 85mm, ISO 100, f/3.5 at 1/800’s. Lighting was ambient camera right through a 2/3rd Sun Bounce Scrim, Elinchrom Ranger through a Gridded Kacey Beauty Dish boomed overhead from camera left. A California Sunbounce Micro Mini from camera left behind bleachers for some fill and another Micro Mini low directly under the camera for fill. Processing was in Lightroom 4 with very minimal cropping and adjustments.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Nice shot.

The Exif shows that Portrait Professional was used.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Diamonds are rocks until you polish them.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Yea I used it to smooth his skin out a tiny bit. Still holding onto that adolescent acne

:lol:

Selkii Loc: Oakland, CA & Vancouver Island

Great photo and great commentary. Just because technology allows us to now be bombarded by millions of snapshots per day, doesn't mean we've become inured to mediocrity.

amehta Loc: Boston

Excellent point. There is still a difference between a snapshot and a photograph. And there is still a point to the technical quality of the photograph, in addition to the art. And we think nobody cares about quality, but they still buy magazines, or look at "magazine quality" pictures online, and know it's different than their snaps.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Exactly, there are bunches of people that ski, but only a handful are "skiers" and there is a BIG difference...

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

You could hear a similar argument back in the 1970's and especially 1980's when consumer automatic cameras that required virtually no skill to operate were becoming extremely affordable and popular. Everyone had a camera, but only few took consistently good photos. I don't think it's all that different today - only the technology has changed. As was then, there is the serious hobbyist and the casual snapshot shooter.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Diamonds are diamonds. Rocks are aggregates of minerals held together by chemical bonds.
But I get your point. :mrgreen:

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

With the proliferation of cell phones in the civilized world and virtually every cell phone having a camera and video capabilities plus websites to upload all those pics, there are millions of pics and videos posted every day. With so many being posted, there are a bunch of things posted that would never be seen without the proliferation of those phones, however most are low resolution and not very good quality(some exceptions of course). I believe most people know that, but in this social media world to them it's more about connecting with their friends than the quality of the pics.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Having some background in photojournalism, mostly "old school" 1970's-'90's, I appreciate the points you bring up, BigD. But let's be careful to note that the world of image media has been lurching forward (?) at an alarming rate. Quality has decreased as deadlines have decreased. The general public is far more "accepting" of iPhone images, as that is what they are so often viewing in their daily lives. Editors and news directors are under the fiscal "gun" more than they ever have been, and the prospect of having instant on-scene video coverage of an event at low-cost or no-cost is quite enticing.
If there is an event taking place with 10 witnesses there are probably 7 "cameras" on the scene...a journalistic dream-come-true!
So...your photo of the young man appears and really wows everyone (as it should) because it's far above the quality they are accustomed to, but, alas, it's not likely to elevate their expectations to the point they will expect similar quality in everything they view.
A friend showed me a photo yesterday (New Years Day). I thought it was a picture of an out-of-focus cotton ball. Was I ever wrong! It was a photo of her newborn grandson taken prior to leaving the hospital and, boy, was she thrilled with it! So, naturally, I was, too! Oh, well...

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

The cell phone images has ruined most people. Quick easy hassle free, Most are amazed at what a good photographer and quality camera can produce.

Sirius_one Loc: S.F. Bay Area

:thumbup: :thumbup:

amehta Loc: Boston

As long as they appreciate what a quality image looks like, I wouldn't say the cell phone has ruined them. If anything, I think it has made many people much more comfortable being in front of a camera, and they're much more willing to pose. I don't need them to take excellent quality pictures, that's my job. I just need them to be the subjects. :-)

tk Loc: Iowa

I believe that WITH the availability of the iPhone etc. it does make the normal viewer more aware of good quality and they seek it. To hold it in their hand and appreciate it but they don't want to achieve it with anything more than instant results. That still separate those of us with the drive to acquire the skills we need to achieve those results and those of us who want the equipment to give them the best now. We still have the doers and the appreciators, in my opinion. The appreciators still know what they like and the doers have the drive to bring it to them.