reaching for the impossible?

[spannacoops]

Hi everyone

I was laying awake last night pondering the feedback I got from my tutor. I am very much an amateur and very new to PP having just completed lesson 1. The feedback was regarding the 3 shots I submitted for my 1st assignment (find them in my gallery).

My feedback was very constructive, but I think perhaps I was naively hoping to be told that I was an undiscovered talent ( lol). Back to reality!

As a result though, I've started to consider how to define what a good photo is. I'm a little concerned that if I don't know what to aim for, how could I ever achieve it? I could work through this course and improve my skills with a camera, but still not achieve photos that are of the same calibre that I've seen on this site - some of which are breathtaking and because of this are maybe a little intimidating.

Being technically proficient with a camera will not make me a great photographer - it will simply make me capable of using a tool. And basing my success on the feedback I receive is not precise because you will all have personal preferences around imagery, composition, style etc.... and will rate photos differently because of these preferences.

My question to you all is, what makes a photograph great or a shot successful? Or are these two very different things? I'm just interested to hear your thoughts.

Thanks in advance everyone.

Anna

[DoctorJazz]

Hello Anna,

Great questions that I think we never stop asking ourselves.
I believe the only thing that is "impossible" is for you to know where this journey is going to take you.
I hope you give yourself credit for reaching.
Empower yourself with the knowledge you gain; practice using it, watch your progress, and then look back and see how much closer you are to answering your questions.

Most importantly, enjoy the ride, and allow the creative process to happen.
Where it takes you is up to you.

Best of luck!

[SJGordon]

Hi everyone

I was laying awake last night pondering the feedback I got from my tutor. I am very much an amateur and very new to PP having just completed lesson 1. The feedback was regarding the 3 shots I submitted for my 1st assignment (find them in my gallery).

My feedback was very constructive, but I think perhaps I was naively hoping to be told that I was an undiscovered talent ( lol). Back to reality!

As a result though, I've started to consider how to define what a good photo is. I'm a little concerned that if I don't know what to aim for, how could I ever achieve it? I could work through this course and improve my skills with a camera, but still not achieve photos that are of the same calibre that I've seen on this site - some of which are breathtaking and because of this are maybe a little intimidating.

You have to remember that every person who has posted the photos you describe as breathtaking started right where you are now. Unsure of their talent, unsure of exactly how to use the tool in their hands, and unsure of their ability to learn how to bring their vision to print.

Being technically proficient with a camera will not make me a great photographer - it will simply make me capable of using a tool. And basing my success on the feedback I receive is not precise because you will all have personal preferences around imagery, composition, style etc.... and will rate photos differently because of these preferences.

Being capable of using the camera is where everyone has to start if they want to grow. Without the ability to use the "tool" the end product will never be as good as it could have been. There is no set rules of what makes an image great... that is what makes Photography so wonderful. Not everyone will follow the same path or produce the same images, even with an identical subject. I know a Father/Son team of VERY successful Photographers who shoot the same types of subject matter, sometimes standing right next to each other shooting the exact same subject. They both use the same make and model of camera body, and on a lot of shots the same size and make of lenses. I can tell Todd's photo from Brad's photo every single time because of their different styles of composition, style, etc.... Does that make one "better" than the other? No, it doesn't. It gives the viewer of the photos a chance to look at the same subject through 2 different viewpoints and personal perspectives. Sometimes one is closer to my personal preference and sometimes the other is.

While I love Landscape photography, Ansel Adams is not one of my favorite photographers, wouldn't even make the top 5 right now actually. Does that mean either I am wrong or his style of photography is wrong. Nope, means I don't care for his style as much as other photographers out there. Personal preference is what will set you apart form others and what will set me apart from other photographers as well. Some will like my photographs better than other artists, others will not. It is a matter of finding YOUR style and growing with it. Never stop growing in the art is the key. The more you practice with the tool, the better you get; the better you get, the more you need to practice with the tool to keep growing. Once you find the style that is your own, then you will be able to show it to others better and better. Don't try to please everyone, that will never happen. Grow, refine, and hone your style.

My question to you all is, what makes a photograph great or a shot successful? Or are these two very different things? I'm just interested to hear your thoughts.

For me they are different. A successful shot is one where the Photographer captured an image exactly how they wanted to. A great shot is one that transports me to the scene through the Photographers lens and I can get a sense of the emotion or atmosphere when the Photographer tripped the shutter.

A Photographer may capture a scene exactly how they wanted, but the image is flat and lifeless to anyone other than the Photographer who took it. I know this has happened more times that I care to admit to me. I take what I think is a perfect, glorious, earth-shattering photo; and everyone who sees it reacts like they are looking at the 10 millionth vacation photo of a boring workmate.

Don't get discouraged. Keep shooting and learning: both the camera as a tool, and the camera and an extension of yourself. A tool that will let you capture a moment in time that has never happened before and will never happen again. Let that magic of Photography keep things fresh for you. Most importantly, don't try to copy others 100%, take some tips from every photo you like and find interesting, and before you know it you will have a whole file full of your own breathtaking photos.

[Kaye]

Hi Anna,

Not a great deal left for me to say after such wonderful responses from Sandy and Scott above.

It doesn't really matter how good one becomes as a photographer, one will always questions their own images. Posting them in forums such as PP is such a wonderful way to get others' feedback, see who likes it, and then work out how you can improve on the shot next time.

I certainly agree with Scott as far as style goes.... everyone WILL have a different view and therefore a different style, and you will find your own special style.
I have been on the site quite some time, and for the first couple of years, read nearly every post, comment and critique, which gave me reasonable knowledge after time, but lots and lots and lots of practice too.
I then started the course about a year ago.... but as I love taking photos of what is in my mind that day.... I am still only up to Lesson 7. BUT, there is no rush.
You have plenty of time to do the course, so perhaps plan on several weeks practice, or more, prior to each lesson. Post them here and get some feedback first, then retake if necessary.

The Course is to give you much additional information to what you may already know. Let yourself enjoy the learning process of the course without rush, and lots of practice.
I also think it is advantageous to research composition, eg. Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, and Rhythm to grasp the feeling of this before these lessons. The composition in shots can make or break a shot.

Anna, I hope I have been of some help.

[spannacoops]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your reassuring and inspiring messages. I've really enjoyed hearing your thoughts and it's helped me to re-assess the apprehension that I was feeling.

Since I posted the first message, i've been picking up my new camera every day (even if it's just to hold it and get used to it), and I've been making time to get out and take a few shots here and there. My confidence is already starting to build. Getting stuck in and having a go is clearly the way to go about things! :-)

I keep re-reading these posts and I think your philosophical outlook will definitely help me in moments of self-doubt.

Thanks again. Your support and encouragement is really appreciated.

Happy snapping :-)
Anna

[sverdloff]

Hi Anna,
Seems like Scott and Kaye have said everything there is to say about this really.
Everyone has different preferences as to what they like.
I have been doing a 'Daily Photo' this year to try and develop my skills and artistic ability and over time the change has been quite dramatic.
Each picture seems to be getting better, and so i can wait to see what my skills are like at the end of the year.

Along with getting out there and practicing, i try to look at all the photos on PP and other photography material for inspiration.

Just keep going and practice and you will see the difference.

Happy shooting.

Matt

[jerryph]

Anna, ever hear of Bruce Lee? He once made a comment that applies very well to photography in a way... permit me to paraphrase:

"In the beginning, I learned how to kick and how to punch and I saw them just as kicks and punches. As my knowledge grew and expanded, I began to see that a kick was more than a kick and a punch was more than a punch. Today, after traveling the path to enlightenment... I see that a kick is just a kick, and a punch... is just a punch".

In essence, it means that we must ALL master the basics and these basics will at first baffle and astound us, they will confuse us and amaze us... but once that level is learned and part of us, they are easy... as easy as breathing, and we use them without thought or effort. Aperture is just aperture, ISO is just ISO and shutter speed is... well, you know what I mean. Learning all the intricate details of how our camera works and what all those options are, this is knowledge and knowledge is power... power to control.

Once all that techie stuff is all behind you, then only at that point are you freed to begin to think about photography on a non-technical level, yet without that technical knowledge, it is like trying to swim on dry land... not very effective as a means of moving from one place to another... and one looks quite silly doing it that way because no one explained that to know how to swim, technically we need water... lots of it.

Same thing for photography.

Don't sweat the big things (undiscovered talent without paying your dues? No such animal, sorry).
Do sweat the details. Nothing, not talent, not money not the best camera on earth nor all the time in the world... nothing will get you there faster than determination.

There is no need for you to even be thinking about what it takes to be a successful. You should be thinking about what makes you knowledgeable, and yes, technical is a good 50% of that entire equation, and is IMHO VERY important. You have no control if you do not know what there is to control or how you can control it.

I see it basically as a series of steps and the first step begins with a total mastery of ISO, shutter speed and aperture and then the intricacies of our cameras. If you cannot eat, drink, chew gum, and discuss these 3 all day long and not to forget to breathe, you are not quite ready. Once you can, though, next comes light. More importantly, how to control light. That means a study of light sources both natural and artificial... and then we go into speedlights and maybe studio lighting. Just in this one area alone, I can occupy your mind to the point of headaches with info overload everyday for 2 years, and we will still be just talking the basics.

For me personally, the technical is extremely easy, I do it once or read it once and I can do it 10 years later and the harder it is, the faster it comes to me... it is the creative aspects that I am spending years on, but it's slowly starting to come. One without the other... technical without creative or visa versa... IMHO means you fail it all.

People spend an entire LIFETIME studying light, a good photographer is constantly evaluating, learning, seeing, absorbing! It is a trip that has no final destination and filled with mcuh frustration, yet so much pleasure.

Success? Forget that, this word means nothing. If it is supposed to come, it will come on it's own. Making good photos? Consistent hard work over long periods of time along with determination will bring that.

Concentrate on you, take small sized bites... absorb, test, ask questions, take TONS of photos... this is where your headspace should be for best results now.

What makes a good photograph? That is simple, but there is a small problem, because as many people on earth that there are, that is exactly the same number of different and correct answers that there are.

The basics, the rules and suggestions are always the place to start... once you can breathe the basics, you can add the emotion. For me, that is the start of a good photo... it is technically proficient, yet evokes strong emotion in whom that photo was intended for.