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03/10/2005 12:52:41 AM · #1 |
After three yearsâ€Â¦
I am approaching my three-year anniversary in photography. I have had various cameras throughout my life, but I started taking it seriously in March of 2002. Three years isn’t much time for anything, but I can look back and see where my tastes, interests, and techniques have evolved during this time.
Brooks Jensen of LensWork Magazine once published a list of things he has learned during his long history with the camera. I want to do the same thing. Here’s my start:
A great photograph is not defined by image quality, composition, clarity, sharpness, color, tonality, or the camera that made it. Great images create a stir of emotions that makes you feel good in some way. The image may not stir good emotions, but it will move you in some way and make you spend time thinking and wondering.
It is important to know how to create high quality images with good composition, sharpness, clarity, color, and tonality.
Photographs are made by photographers, not cameras. Any camera can make a great photograph.
More expensive camera gear may improve your photography in some ways. If you feel good about the gear you are using, you are more likely to use it more often. More expensive camera gear will improve what you can do with the photo after the shutter is released.
Different people will see different things in your images. They will also see things that you didn’t.
If you love everything about one of your images, you don’t need critique on it. Critiques are opinions for the most part. They are not right or wrong. They may give you insight or they may piss you off. If you ask for critique, be prepared to hear things you don’t like.
Don’t ask for critique from another photographer. Ask for critique from an artist who works in some other medium. You will get more insight into what the image actually says (or doesn’t). You won’t hear anything about “how I would have done it.” If you want to know how someone else would have done it, ask a photographer.
Even though all photographers don’t agree with the techniques I choose to use, I am happy with the way I do things. When photography is viewed as an art, there are no limitations as to what you can do with your images.
Art is a creative process, no matter what the medium is. There are no rules to keep you from creating whatever you see in your own mind. Injecting some of yourself into your photograph is a good thing.
This isn't everything but it's a start... This list will grow over timeâ€Â¦
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03/10/2005 01:02:40 AM · #2 |
Thank you for a great reminder of what is true and matters, at least for me. I hesitate to call myself a photographer, but I am in my heart and that is what this speaks to for me.
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03/10/2005 01:19:05 AM · #3 |
Thanks John. Great start.
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03/10/2005 08:45:44 AM · #4 |
Happy Aniversary John. I hope that as your photography continues to evolve you will never feel that you have outgrown dpc. Your contributions here are immense. The insight in your post helps to focus ideas developing in my own mind, and I hope it does the same for our collective mentality.
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03/10/2005 08:58:09 AM · #5 |
Interesting list.
On the more expensive gear front, I tend to agree and disagree. More expensive gear tends to increase the options that you have and the types of situations the tool can adapt to.
The key is to really understand the limitations and capabilities of the tools you are using and work to their best advantage. This is true for the cheapest point and shoot to the most expensive SLR or medium format back. Use the right tool for the job and use it well. Know the limitations because they all have them. Work the best you can within those constraints and that's where the best shots are.
This doesn't mean never pushing boundaries or your capabilities, but if you know the boundaries you can be deliberate in what you do.
It is true that cameras don't make pictures, but that photographers do. However the best pictures are made by the photographers who know their tools backwards and use them to best effect. Technical craft is the basis of great photography - entry level requirement if you like.
Great photographers can take brilliant pictures with any old camera because they understand how they work. Also they understand light, composition, story telling and so on.
Message edited by author 2005-03-10 09:00:33. |
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03/10/2005 10:43:12 AM · #6 |
Hey the less expensive cameras can take good photographs too but its like metioned, you got to know what the heck your doing...
This was not mentioned..
Be a slave to another photographer...It will pay in the end!!
Anyways your a good photographer because you give back what has been giving to you... Not only that but you have put the time in to the study of it all. I hope I am there in another 2 years with all that you have accomplished....
*Congratulations for all that you have accomplished and good luck in the future..* :)
Message edited by author 2005-03-10 10:46:31.
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