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08/24/2004 09:04:07 PM · #26 |
1. Yes. For sure :)
2. Trying to decide ... timing, perhaps, in shots where it matters. I've almost never had much success with pictures where timing mattered. (Why, I got my first respectable bug shot this Sunday :) ). Also, my PS is too basic, I should at least learn about layers.
3. I usually try to break it down, ie, not work on changing more than one parameter at the same time. (Too much engineering training :D). And then take many many shots of the kind. And also, comparing my shots with other pictures of the same genre that I like, and trying to pin down the qualitative difference, and trying to find out how I can achieve the desired effect (from web tutorials, how-to's, whatever). And finally, by not being too kind to my own shots :)...
Message edited by author 2004-08-24 21:04:32. |
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08/24/2004 09:25:14 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
Not really. Or at least, not only.
I'd quite like to be a better artist though. Photography is more of a means to an end than an end in itself these days.
That manifests itself in a few ways - studying engaging art, not just photography. Exploring artistic techniques, not just photographic techniques. Visiting art galleries, not just photographic galleries. Trying to transcend all of the technical stuff that so many people appear to adore or get mired in, or both. Trying to make good pictures of things that interest me, not taking good photographs for the sake of photographs.
Could be I just read this essay though. |
Thanks, Gordon!
What a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL essay. I think she says it all.
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08/24/2004 10:51:33 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
My thoughts are irrelevant. People do what they think they need to do. Each photographer's answer to these three questions will define what they need to do :) |
I know where you're coming from, but my thinking was knowing what we're all doing to improve, and more basically what we view our aspirations to be is a learning experience in itself. Since you are one of the more acocmplished photographers on the site I thought your answers could be insightful... Not as something we all need to do, but especially your answer to #3 could be of particular value.
I've spent some time digesting your work on other sites, so to some degree I already know the answer to that question... You've done a few (that I know of) creative projects that it would be interesting know the origin, effects, and results of - like Crossing Paths.
Message edited by author 2004-08-24 22:51:50.
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08/24/2004 11:44:19 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by ancientimages:
Thanks, Gordon!
What a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL essay. I think she says it all. |
Ditto that! I'm going to print that out and put it on the wall for when I'm feeling not so passionate. Thanks again! |
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08/24/2004 11:57:32 PM · #30 |
1. I'd like to come to a point where the images I see cohere with the ones I make. What interests me most is the poetry of an image. I'd like to accumulate a portfolio of about a dozen great shots in my lifetime.
2. I really don't know the first thing about Photoshop, post-processing and editing for prints. I'd like to be able to edit my shots far more sensitively than I'm capable of doing now. I'd like to become self-sufficient and gain control over the whole process of photography all the way down to the details of presentation.
3. I have lived. I've learned to bow to necessity. I've read the dull manual. I keep falling in love, despite the inconvenience. I look at things differently. I go out of my way. I have faith even in stones and find myself fit company in solitude. Let those whom I have offended forgive me for what I have done in the past. I have made friends, tables, poems, amends.
Message edited by author 2004-08-24 23:59:06.
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08/25/2004 12:18:01 AM · #31 |
I need to spend less time reading these threads and get my ass in gear and shoot more. Do and you will learn. Even goldfish do it... it's true.
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08/25/2004 12:32:18 AM · #32 |
| zeuszen ! , Once again your eloquence & humility have risen to the top {like cream & your photography } LOL ! Lighting has repeatedly been raised as a concern in this thread and my mind constantly reminds me of your answer to " When Do You Shoot " ; / " When the light is right " was your response ! We all have those moment/days when it's Right , the skill comes in not only recognizing the opportunity but translating that light to our vision ;ad inf.. Hope that made sense , BTW , tnx for the thread John. |
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08/25/2004 09:23:26 AM · #33 |
This is to important a thread to let die.... Bob
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08/25/2004 09:30:42 AM · #34 |
How does one define improvement though John?
More ribbons? Higher scores? More published work? or more self satisfaction.
I personally find it very hard to judge how much improvement one makes. I think it's more the choice of subject rather than ability that improves ones photography.
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08/25/2004 09:44:03 AM · #35 |
Originally posted by cghubbell:
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
My thoughts are irrelevant. People do what they think they need to do. Each photographer's answer to these three questions will define what they need to do :) |
I know where you're coming from, but my thinking was knowing what we're all doing to improve, and more basically what we view our aspirations to be is a learning experience in itself. Since you are one of the more acocmplished photographers on the site I thought your answers could be insightful... Not as something we all need to do, but especially your answer to #3 could be of particular value.
I've spent some time digesting your work on other sites, so to some degree I already know the answer to that question... You've done a few (that I know of) creative projects that it would be interesting know the origin, effects, and results of - like Crossing Paths. |
My answer to #3:
I have spent many hours trying to understand why I like what I see in certain photos. This understanding helps me improve my own work. Its not as simple as it seems. I also try to understand why certain images exist. Why did the photographer choose to shoot that image that I like so well? What was the motive behind it? Was it carefully designed or was it being ready to go in the right place at the right time? These days, I look for emotion in photography more than anything else. It seems that when I find the answers to these questions I have listed here, the emotion bubbles to the top of the list quite frequently.
The crossing paths project has no real 'meaning'. It doesn't exist for the purpose of creating photos with any particular value to me. The project itself will help me become more comfortable with the idea of approaching strangers and asking if I may photograph them. I haven't spent as much time on that project as I should. I will try to improve that.
My answer to #2 is that my photos lack any emotional value. As I said earlier here, I believe that is what makes a lot of my favorite photos very strong. I want to add that element to a lot of my work and focus on subject that allow me to do that. This topic is not really a 'low hanging fruit' for me. I think I have already grabbed most of the low hanging fruit on my tree of knowledge. Some of the fruit I'm after now is just out of reach.
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08/25/2004 09:49:13 AM · #36 |
"He's dead Jim" - Dr. "Bones" McCoy
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08/25/2004 09:52:58 AM · #37 |
Originally posted by jonpink:
How does one define improvement though John?
More ribbons? Higher scores? More published work? or more self satisfaction.
I personally find it very hard to judge how much improvement one makes. I think it's more the choice of subject rather than ability that improves ones photography. |
I think the 'more self satisfaction' is my guage for improvement. Ribbons, higher scores, and published work are results of what others see in your work. Each of those items is a sign of strength, but those strengths are of no value to me unless the image has the self satisfaction value to start with. I have several ribbon winners that I don't like at all. I have one published piece that I believe is a poor photo. I suppose success has to be measured by success with individual objectives though. If I had the objective of succeeding in the first three items on your list, then those successes would help define my success.
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08/25/2004 09:53:24 AM · #38 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
My thoughts are irrelevant. |
Your thoughts are as relevant or irrelevant as anyone else's and, as the originator of the thread, do hold interest.
I'm glad you posted them.
Your point about emotional impact of an image is a really good one. I think it's one thing to be able to excel at the techniques of photography (and you have proved that you have mastered lighting and studio work in particular) and quite another thing to be able to imbue one's work with emotional impact, not only for oneself but also for other viewers.
I wish you luck in that endeavour.
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08/25/2004 08:44:12 PM · #39 |
Originally posted by Kavey:
Your point about emotional impact of an image is a really good one. I think it's one thing to be able to excel at the techniques of photography (and you have proved that you have mastered lighting and studio work in particular) and quite another thing to be able to imbue one's work with emotional impact, not only for oneself but also for other viewers.
I wish you luck in that endeavour. |
I completely agree with emotion being a key element in "satisfying" photos. I'm still at the (less advanced) point of mastering lighting, but I especially find the emotional dimension to be a challenge in the landscape work I do.
There is no question that when I'm in the field and encounter some aspect of Nature's beauty I feel a very distinct emotion which I try to retain in the image, but in nature / landscapes I can't ask a model to change its mood, or shift a studio light to emphasize my vision. Trying to anticipate how natural lighting influences captured emotion without me being able to control it is something I find extremely challenging.
A great satisfaction for me is seeing someone look at an image I created and being able to tell from the look on their face that are feeling exactly what I felt when I snapped the shutter. When I have my first exhibition (someday!) that is what I most look forward to experiencing. |
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08/25/2004 09:02:48 PM · #40 |
I do want to improve. I have moved slowly to learn what works and doesn't work for me. I tend to take shots that have some meaning for me...that "emotional" content that's been spoken of. This site has been very helpful in helping me decide if other viewers of my photos might be impacted the same way.
I have been trying to improve on two levels - technical and content. The technical part of it has improved as I become more comfortable with my camera, but still have a long way to go. Content has improved some as I critique what I see and like on this site and other photos, including my own, which I like. Again..still a long way to go!
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08/25/2004 09:54:32 PM · #41 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
1. Do you want to be better at photography? Some people don't... Some do... |
Yes. I want to create consistently good images that both myself and others enjoy.
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
2. In what area(s) do you think you need the MOST improvement? Look for the low-hanging fruit first... tackle some of the easier issues. |
Timing. I put far too much pressure on myself to capture the shot in my head and often mess up the shot in the camera because of it. It's worse when I photograph people. I need to slow down, think, and get the most of my shot.
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
3. What have you done to help improve your photograpy in the past? |
The same as most people have already mentioned - read books, examined other people's photographs, shot lots of images etc.
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08/26/2004 02:30:02 AM · #42 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
1. Do you want to be better at photography? Some people don't... Some do... |
Yes. Why? For me personally -- I need an outlet for what I think and feel. I has spent far too much time not expressing myself -- so now I express myself, even if only to myself. I want to be able to express myself clearly with the images. I could have chosen any number of other activities, such as music, dance or drawing, but I enjoy making images.
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
2. In what area(s) do you think you need the MOST improvement? Look for the low-hanging fruit first... tackle some of the easier issues. |
I understand the various aspects of photography, at least to the degree I have come in contact with them -- and I can work with any one aspect and 'get it right'. But that doesn't help me make better images. My 'low-hanging fruit' is in putting it all together, and getting all of the aspects to work together. Individually, each aspect is easy to , but taken together their interactions become very complex rather quickly.
I also still have trouble with fruit I have already picked and eaten. The cores are not fully digestable, so to speak. There is much I know how to do, but when I go to do it I run into the limitation of my rather low-end camera. So while I have digested the fruit, the cores are a mess below me and are making the ground I'm standing on quite slippery. I often find I am spending more time figuring out how to make my camera do what I want it to, than I do figuring out the shot. I am tied down by the mechanics of it all.
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
3. What have you done to help improve your photograpy in the past? |
I, as so many others, have read books, mags and online. Mostly, when I do not have my camera, I look at the scenes around me and ask myself if there is something I want to say about the scene or some aspect of it. If there is, I think about how I would go about saying it with an image -- sometimes, multiple images is easier to start with, and then refine down if needed.
Recently, being frustrated with my camera (see #2 above) that I don't feel like even picking it up a lot of times, I have decided I needed a side project to balance what I have learning with the camera. I have focused almost exclusively on making the camera do it -- getting it all just right 'in camera'. So now I am balancing that by looking into the opposite end of the activity. I have started a project of taking each aspect of post-processing (in order of interest to me) and learning it as well as I can. This isn't just a matter of learning what the individual tools in PS do, but more task oriented activity. As an example, I started with the subject of sharpening and am making an effort to become proficient with every sharpening technique I can get any information on.
It is interesting that the first image I spent any significant time on after starting to really get a handle of sharpening is one that I decided I wanted to be soft-focused. It seems my plan is working, as I am learning the skills needed to correct the limitations of a digital camera, and in the process am becoming much more relaxed about working within those limitations.
David
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