| Author | Thread |
|
|
07/09/2004 04:25:28 PM · #1 |
I wonder how others feel about the different types of pictures they take. Two of my higher placing pictures:
 and 
are nice enough, but I don't feel the same pride in them as I do for some that did not do as well:
 or 
The first two make me feel "Lucky" to be at the right place and time with a camera. The other two, took time and patience and thought to set up and get them to come out the way they look in my mind (or as close as I can get). I'm much more proud of the second pair than the first, because I feel that they are a product of my abilities and creativity while the others are Mother Nature's creations that I borrowed.
I'm not complaining about my favorite pictures not being fawned over or even (sometimes) much appreciated by others as they are MY visions, not theirs. But somehow I feel the pain of those shots non-acceptance more than I would of a sunset or mountain shot scoring low.
I see posts sometimes from various people about how this picture or that of theirs is doing badly in a challenge, but that they don't care because THEY like it. Sometimes I feel that also. On the other side of the coin, does anyone else feel kinda like they cheated when a lucky timing shot of theirs does well?
Not complaining, just observing (and maybe feeling a bit guilty).
drg |
|
|
|
07/09/2004 04:31:06 PM · #2 |
Very well stated and very good points, Dvid. I agree with you completely. I also have learned that skill and taste are two different things and to not confuse them (I like a lot of my photos, but I also can see their technical deficiencies).
|
|
|
|
07/09/2004 05:20:05 PM · #3 |
I think most people feel that the lucky capture, the right-place-right-time shot, is a payback for all the times they went after a great shot and didn't get it, all the time they spent learning how to use their cam, software, etc. They feel like they desreved to be lucky because they paid the dues and were smart enough to capture it when the opportunity knocked.
No one should feel like they are "cheating" to have an opportunity shot do well. Even if you are fortunate to be there you still have to have the perception to recognize it and the skill to capture it. There are probably many, many more such shots that go uncaptured because no one notices them. |
|
|
|
07/09/2004 05:22:37 PM · #4 |
While I do believe in luck, I also am a firm believer that you bring most of your own luck along with you. You shouldn't be less happy with a shot that comes out well just because you didn't set everything up yourself. After all, if you didn't know about the spot, what time to be there, where to put the camera, what settings to use, it wouldn't be an awesome shot...
|
|
|
|
07/09/2004 05:23:05 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
I think most people feel that the lucky capture, the right-place-right-time shot, is a payback for all the times they went after a great shot and didn't get it, all the time they spent learning how to use their cam, software, etc. They feel like they desreved to be lucky because they paid the dues and were smart enough to capture it when the opportunity knocked.
No one should feel like they are "cheating" to have an opportunity shot do well. Even if you are fortunate to be there you still have to have the perception to recognize it and the skill to capture it. There are probably many, many more such shots that go uncaptured because no one notices them. |
Yup - the more I practice, the luckier I get...
|
|
|
|
07/09/2004 05:57:44 PM · #6 |
And not all "seemingly lucky" shots are lucky...
I purposely plan runs around the weather (pre & post storms), tides & sun/moon rise/set times to achieve many of my images whenever it's possible. Then I try to compose an interesting picture that the sky just adds even more to.
Message edited by author 2004-07-09 17:58:30.
|
|
|
|
07/10/2004 12:12:21 AM · #7 |
For some - luck does indeed play a major role in nature photography. For others luck is manufactured - part of the equation. Check out the "field notes" on the images in Michael Fatali's galleries:
//www.fatali.com/gallery/
You will see that there are some that say "waiting for the light: 4 days" or even longer - and that's after he's carried an 8x10 view camera into the location.
So - if you happened to get great light or or other conditions - learn how to "predict" when it will happen again - and go back! You will learn to watch weather patterns, sunrise & sunset tables, moonrise & moonset tables, web sites that report wildflower, fall colors or other conditions. You will soon be making you own luck - and can be proud when it all falls together.
|
|
|
|
07/12/2004 09:43:51 PM · #8 |
My first inroads to this site was with a total snap shot...
After the votes where in I started at the low end and slowly worked my way up to see where I sat... I was very supprised at the result, out of 300ish I was 32 which I was gob smacked at.
I did just about everything wrong... 1/80 on a 149mm (should have been at least 1/149 second+ It should have been on a tripod and was hand held, the flowers should have been moved to make a better composite, the only thing that I did get correct IMO was the timing of the cars in the back ground for interest.
I think the title (altho potentially incorrect for a newspaper) was a big factor, and it was topical and did look like a news paper shot...
I think despite the market place, the general public prefer more "real" and "snap shot" like photographs because they can relate to them far better.
This is one of my most ordered prints:
Yet it was pure luck... the glint caught my eye as I and my GF at the time walked towards the exit to leave...
Other shots that I think are spot on, and took time to set up and shoot... get hardly any mention, never mind orders...
At times it does seem to be the shots where people go "oh shit, wow..." and the apreciation of the "jammy git" factor that people like, or they go for the technically perfect almost abstractly enginered photograph.
Again, one of my other best new sellers is :
That one was fairly blown out... the second shot I dont use was better exposed, but I pushed the blow out further and ended up with a shot that I am very proud of because its reminicent of some of the other photographers I admire, so what could be termed a fail is a win for me and a win for the people that want it.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/02/2025 06:59:45 PM EDT.
