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02/17/2003 06:42:42 PM · #1 |
I know that style has been discussed in the forums recently, but I have been thinking about it and come to realise that about 80% of the pictures I have been taking are really not showing what I want to show. I think that I have been influenced too much by the kinds of styles which do well and now look back on my pictures and realise that they are pretty much devoid of emotion! Despair is a great topic to finally try something more expressive. Tried something a bit different to my usual shots for both the rhythm and love, but they are not doing too well. So what do you do? Do you try to express "emotion" in your pictures, or do you consider "technique" to be a priority? Maybe one day in the future, I might get the balance right, but right now feel stuck in No Mans Land!! Anyone else have this dilema?
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02/17/2003 06:47:07 PM · #2 |
Think you need to get the technique side of things down before you can really effectively explore the emotional side of things. You need the craft before you can do the art well. Most of us are stuck trying to learn the easier part (the craft) without reaching that more expressive side of things yet - least that's how I often feel. Of course there are seem to be many people that believe photography is exclusively about the craft and technical/technique side of things and no room at all for all that arty/expressive nonsense.
Message edited by author 2003-02-17 18:47:48. |
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02/17/2003 06:48:39 PM · #3 |
I share your dilemma.... I would love to work out some more emotional ideas and I am starting to work on that myself. I think there is a middle ground between where I am now and where I want to go with it though... Instead of jumping right into trying to 'show' emotion, I want to create a set of 'emotive' shots. Instead of showing an emotion, I would like to create some images that elicit an emotive response from the viewer.
This can be done several ways I think... These 'emotive' images can be quite powerful if you create an emotional response in the viewer. I also believe that If the emotive response you create is strong enough, the technical issues will not be as important overall. A technically excellent shot would probably support you even more, but I still don't believe it's as important in the emotive arena...
Message edited by author 2003-02-17 18:49:17.
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02/17/2003 06:50:55 PM · #4 |
That's what my husband said about playing the guitar, takes years of practice before you get to the level of being expressive! Don't take me wrong, there are a lot of pictures and photographers on this site that are able to combine both technique and being expressive. Maybe just letting go is the key!
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02/17/2003 07:00:24 PM · #5 |
Another issue is that you have to become much more resiliant and open to criticism and praise. It's OK, whatever anybody sais about a picture of milk bottles for example, but when you try something else, every comment has so much more meaning! Thing is when dealing with "emotion" it's such a personal thing, that it must be really hard to cater to the masses. I think that Shiizzzam and many others have done a great job of combining these elements.
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02/17/2003 07:41:40 PM · #6 |
I agree that technique needs to be treated as the backbone or foundation for photography and any similar expression. Learning the proper techniques allows you to fully express yourself because you have maximized your skills and understanding of what can be accomplished. Simply by knowing more you can accomplish more. Since it is so easy to just aim your camera at a scene and click away it is very easy to overlook many of the skills that are necessary to produce professional quality photographs. Creativity is very important as well, particularily when it comes to developing your own unique style but it is the technique that is the most important in the majority of photos where quality is the primary concern.
T
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02/17/2003 07:47:45 PM · #7 |
I understand the technique-first arguments, but I disagree with them. If you have no real flair for the compositional side, why bother learning the techniques? It doesn't matter how well you can focus and white-balance and all those other things if what you are shooting is just plain dull or unimaginative. No amount of technique is EVER going to save your shot. However, a well-composed interesting shot can still look great with a few technical blemishes.
My advice is to take some good general arts and graphics courses, learn about colour and composition and style. THEN and only then bother to learn the techniques (which will change with every medium you try anyway).
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02/17/2003 08:25:01 PM · #8 |
I think both should go hand in hand. You're not satisfied with what you did, then you try to fine tune the technical side of things. It's a never ending process.
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