How do you know something will make a good photo?

B

benhaha85

Suspended / Banned
Messages
64
Name
Ben
Edit My Images
Yes
Well the title says it all really. I've got my camera, I understand in theory what makes a good photo but I never seem to spot it. Is it a case of just taking a gazillion photos at first or is there something more to it than that? To me that just seems to be the wrong way to go about it.
 
Years of experience! And these days, spotting a potential photograph, snapping it then (if the snap works) spending more time setting up the shot, getting the right DoF, composition, tidying up litter etc (if necessary) and hoping the light lasts until you're happy.
 
I think looking at other peoples photo's and there compositions can lead you in the right direction. Then I do believe that there is a "natural" artistic side to some tog's that comes into the equation.
As said, experience also counts for a lot. I don't think you always know it's going to be a good shot either, sometimes I find I think it will look good until I take it then I don't like it. I think the most experienced of tog's still has this happen to them.
 
I personally think that you can have all the equipment and theory, but you either have the eye for a photo or you don't, what i mean is that to someone who has the "eye" doesn't really have to work very hard at it because it just comes naturally, and those that don't have the "eye" need to work a lot harder.
By that's just my take on it

Craig
 
Yeah, I think you're right that you have an "eye" or you don't, much in the same way that some people have a natural aptitude for playing a musical instrument, for example.

I asked this question as I'm currently in a bit of a funk with my photography. Some things I can do quite well (I think), architecture and city stuff being probably my strongest point. However I live in the middle of the countryside. It's beautiful around where I live but I just don't seem to be able to convey this in my photography. :shrug: I've always wanted to be able to take good landscape photos but I just don't seem to be able to spot an interesting shot.
 
If I see something with my eye that looks like a nice photo. If I can't see the photo with my eyes, the camera isn't going to make it look good either.
 
That's about it really - you can teach all the technical stuff related to photography, but you can't teach someone to 'read' a scene and 'see' the image.

You either have an 'eye' for an image, or you don't.

By looking at other people's images you can get an idea of what will work and what won't and eventually become a decent enough photographer, but you'll always be left behind by these jammy buggers who can just pick up any old camera and miraculously produce breathtaking images from nothing...

You stand there looking at their work thinking "how come I didn't see the potential in that scene?"

Happens to all of us...
 
Have a look at The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freemen, it's well worth borrowing from the library. He covers all the basic elements of composition.. then it's up to you to go out into the world and see them in it.

Put six photographers in a scene and you'll get seven different interpretations. And there's someone that likes each of them.

I've alway thought that composition is the most frequently over-looked element of photography when starting out. And I know some very good technical photographers that have never got to grips with it.
 
you also need to be a bit pro-active, put yourself in situations that your comfortable with where you might find that "good shot" or something which you consider to be a good photo. get in amongst the thing you want to photograph, and yes digital will allow you to snap away if your unsure of your attempts.


hope this helps Merc
 
I read somewhere that you might as well throw away your first 10,000 shots, so I think getting out there and practice practice practice is pretty good advice.
 
Not much more to add on above, but maybe you should ask yourself before you press the shutter - "Would I be willing to put this up on my wall?"
 
For me, it is about knowing a little bit of processing. You dont have to be an expert. You can download something like Silver Efex Pro and let it do all the work.

If I see something, I can tell if it would work in black and white or hdr (or dare I say it selective colouring) :D etc
 
Good question, I don't consider myself in the least bit technical - either with a camera or the processing software I use (ok I know the basics, but I'm no wizard)

For me its all in the eye. The processing can enhance an image incredibly but the image has to work in and of itself in the first place. Its best to compose it in the camera than think 'I'll sort that out on the PC' (although I admit to having done that a few times :))

You will start to 'see' images soon enough :) It does develop as your style develops :)
 
onikami said:
If I see something, I can tell if it would work in black and white or hdr (or dare I say it selective colouring) :D etc
Click to expand...

I think there is a lot to that. Knowing what you can potentially do with a photograph makes a big difference. Digital manipulation is as much a part of photography as the camera is now so the camera becomes the point of capture and Photoshop (or whatever) becomes the tool to realise the potential of the image.

But it still means you need to learn to 'see' the photograph before you take it. There's many times I've been out with a camera with the intention of walking about to see if anything catches my imagination and quite often I will come home without even getting the camera out of the bag. I can't see any point snapping a zillion pictures in the hope that one will turn out nice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top