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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> the first thing about photography
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02/18/2002 03:09:40 AM · #1
The MAJOR thing you have to know about photography is that your subject has to be IN FOCUS. Yes, that sounds simple. But judging from some of the entries, obviously the photographer hasn't double-checked whether or not the subject is 100% clear. A clear subject is the first step to any great photograph.
02/26/2002 12:16:02 PM · #2
unless you play by your own rules.
02/26/2002 06:54:48 PM · #3
I suppose if you're amazing enough to be able to take an out of focus picture of your subject *and* clearly communicate your specific artistic intentions to the average viewer through the image alone, so that there's no ambiguity about why the focus is off, then and only then can you can break the rules.

But if it looks out of focus and we can't see any deliberate purpose behind it... I bet it's not going to get good votes. Maverick rule-breaking artist or not!
03/05/2002 07:57:09 AM · #4
out of focus pictures are often very good pictures. there are no rules to photography.
03/05/2002 08:26:42 PM · #5
True, as a general rule, get the subject in focus. Controlling that depth of field shows your true skill as a photographer.

And anyway you rarely hear anyone say "you know, if that picture had been a little more out of focus it would have been great!"

... well actually, I have heard that said, by my sarcastic brother :-p
03/06/2002 03:06:53 AM · #6
I disagree with the comment that there are NO rules. We can bend and twist most rules, but I would not go so far as to say there are NO rules. Photography coneys to viewers what the photographer saw and felt at the time the shutter sounded. And in most cases, the human eye is indeed in focus. I agree that if you can convey your message clearly with an out-of-focus picture, that's great. But in most cases (and I do mean MOST), focus is key.
03/06/2002 07:35:14 AM · #7
If you know the rules it is O.K. to break them!
03/06/2002 09:25:15 AM · #8
If you know the rules it is O.K. to break them!

The rules of photography, sure, but certainly not [url=/help_rules.asp]THE RULES[/url].. :)
03/06/2002 10:35:48 AM · #9
What about breaking the Jean Claude Van Damm rules?
03/06/2002 03:05:09 PM · #10
Yes, let's place rules on art! Let the fun begin!

I hope there's an "Out of Focus" challenge, so your head explodes.



* This message has been edited by the author on 3/6/2002 3:06:42 PM.
03/06/2002 07:20:48 PM · #11
What you are talking about when you talk about an "out of focus challenge" is something called technique. For one to have technique, one must first acquire a fundamental understanding of the basics of the subject matter -- in this case, photography.

So, once you understand how to draw the viewer's attention to the subject by focusing on the subject, you can begin to experiment with focusing on the subject without having it being in-focus.
03/07/2002 10:06:13 AM · #12
dude, you went to art school, didn't you?

please stop the art school rhetoric either way. it's really silly.

i can give a three-month old baby a camera and have him slobber all over it and push the button at some point. he'll still probably understand what you don't: a picture is just a picture. it's either good or bad, and there's nothing else to it.
03/07/2002 10:09:17 AM · #13
1) I didn't go to art school. But thanks for the compliment.
2) Give your camera to a baby and all you'd get is a broken camera.
3) You are probably right. Judging from the extremely wonderful photos you took for the past challenges, you are obviously a much better photography than I am.

* This message has been edited by the author on 3/7/2002 10:38:18 AM.
03/07/2002 10:51:46 AM · #14
ha, well personal attacks do work, i guess.

yes, the pictures i have submitted have sucked.

then again, i did take a look at the pictures on your website.

and well, yeah, that picture of the ducks, man, good stuff. i didn't take pictures like that when i was, what, six years old.

of course, here's the thing: my stuff sometimes sucks but i've been doing this as a hobby for a couple of years. your stuff sucks and you went to new york institute of photography (what the hell is that anyway?). looks like i come out on top.

yawn
03/07/2002 01:00:34 PM · #15
People like what they like. There's no point in arguing over taste.

I personally find blurry photos unappealing. I'd still like to see some examples posted of well executed blurry shots.
03/07/2002 02:26:57 PM · #16
Actually I really liked your photos. But I guess if you are trying to attack my work, that's cool with me. I'm here to have fun and learn. Thank you for your criticism.
03/08/2002 02:23:30 AM · #17
Dang, its been a long discussion. Its fun reading what Joshua and Leshii have to say to each other. It started out so professional, and now they're just putting down each other's works...hehe funny stuff! There are definitely rules to photograhy (..mostly for beginners), but I guess its up to you guys if you want to break them or not, no need to fight over it.
On a different topic, I'm excited about the Red contest. I think its a lot harder than the other two I've seen since I've been here.
Amateur Boy

* This message has been edited by the author on 3/8/2002 2:25:48 AM.
03/08/2002 03:44:04 AM · #18
I didn't try to put down anybody's work.

I love this site.
03/08/2002 09:05:09 AM · #19
Nick and Josh, show some secksee love to each other.
03/08/2002 11:31:35 AM · #20
Not necessarily, some great photographs have the subject out of focus. There are some guidelines concerning composition which can be found in books or on the net. They are just that, guidelines (including focus). Follow them and you will take good pictures. break a few, and great things can emerge.
03/08/2002 04:30:00 PM · #21
Exactly.

1) Understand the rules.
2) Bend the rules to your advantage.
04/12/2002 12:17:43 AM · #22
Quit with all this Jedi Knight/Zen shit. Why dont you guys stop debating this and go out and take some photogrpahs?
04/12/2002 12:41:35 AM · #23
funny, almost everyone else in the thread has photos in their profile, where are yours? :)
04/12/2002 01:01:21 AM · #24
Originally posted by Mousie:
funny, almost everyone else in the thread has photos in their profile, where are yours? :)

Hate to dis you Mousie, but you should have read the profile a bit deeper...

Member Since : April 07, 2002
Challenges Entered: 1
04/12/2002 02:22:57 AM · #25
hey, anyone talking smack on a long dead thread, belatedly telling people to stop debating and shoot photos, when everyone else already *has* multiple photos in their profile, and at best they have a mystery submision... well... they deserve what they get. :)

Now excuse me while I go shoot some photogrpahs. ;)


* This message has been edited by the author on 4/12/2002 2:29:58 AM.
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