Enjoying taking photographs

Culture · 08-11-2015, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by Wired

I think the same thing when I come here and start seeing the insanely technical debate about sensor size, pixel pitch, aperture, etc. etc. etc. Then the extended debate of "can one even take a photograph if they don't understand the technical"

I disagree, and I think I'm living proof.

I'm not a world class photographer, far from it, but my feedback and referrals tell me I make good photos. This wouldn't have happened if I didn't know the basics, but to me the basics are understanding Aperture, Shutter, and ISO and how they interact. After that, a great understanding of light and how and why it does what it does to illuminate your subject is way more important than selecting the proper aperture.

That said some people enjoy different elements.

Some enjoy the creation part the most
some enjoy the lighting manipulation
some enjoy the post production and compositing
some enjoy the the planning and concept stages
some enjoy just going out and shooting
some enjoy the technical

To me it doesn't matter as long as your enjoying photography, enjoying what you create, are proud of what you create, and you can find ways to improve every day.

There are two major problems with general every day photography today the way I see it: the over analytical tech war and critique that is either not accepted or unsolicited.

I am not even close to the work you do. And it might take me time to get there. But I don't ever think I will ever get the technical jargon. It makes me wonder, will I ever be a good photographer?

I have just got the 3 basics down and learning about lighting and post processing.

Even though I don't think much of my work, others seem to. That is why I have had a wedding session, children shots, and soon a family portrait.

Of course I do understand that there are levels of how good one is as a photographer.

Wired · 08-11-2015, 05:05 AM

Originally posted by Culture

I am not even close to the work you do. And it might take me time to get there. But I don't ever think I will ever get the technical jargon. It makes me wonder, will I ever be a good photographer?

I have just got the 3 basics down and learning about lighting and post processing.

Even though I don't think much of my work, others seem to. That is why I have had a wedding session, children shots, and soon a family portrait.

Of course I do understand that there are levels of how good one is as a photographer.

Haha thanks. But I don't know the tech side as much as many. I don't know lighting as good as most that use it locally. I'm trial and error, and I've learned what works and what doesn't. Thats the fun part for me.

**savoche** · 08-11-2015, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by mohb

I was going to title the thread 'Enjoying photography' but thought that was too wide a topic. Do those who seem to obsess over the technical aspects enjoy just going out 'snapping' or does each picture have to meet certain standards or serve a specific purpose? Do they really get upset because they can't get the required DOF or the bokeh (whatever that is to them) isn't quite right?

I am more interested in the technical stuff than many, but mostly when being a "armchair photographer" surfing the 'net. When I'm out and about, and especially when I'm in "the zone", forgetting time and place and just concentrating on my photography, I don't think numbers. I don't think gear beyond "Can I make the picture I'm looking for with what I have in my hands?" Focal lengths are just framing, aperture just depth of field, and ISO a means to enable the shutterspeed needed to avoid (or get) motion blur.

Do I enjoy "snapping"? No, not if it means indiscriminately taking pictures of nothing and anything just because. When I do one of my unplanned photo walks I always think over why I take the picture I do, why I choose the framing and angle I do, what I want to be the focus point(s), what elements I want to include and not, how they work together (or not). Not to meet any standards, just to see what I can make work. I suppose my purpose is practising to become a better photographer. Goodness knows I need it

mohb · 08-11-2015, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by savoche

When I do one of my unplanned photo walks I always think over why I take the picture I do, why I choose the framing and angle I do, what I want to be the focus point(s), what elements I want to include and not, how they work together (or not). Not to meet any standards, just to see what I can make work.

Isn't that sort of 'planning' instinctive rather than consciously thought out? When I said 'snapping' I meant in the way you say, an unplanned photo walk, I think I have been taking photos too long to develop a spray and pray style

**savoche** · 08-11-2015, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by mohb

Isn't that sort of 'planning' instinctive rather than consciously thought out? When I said 'snapping' I meant in the way you say, an unplanned photo walk, I think I have been taking photos too long to develop a spray and pray style

Ok, then I'm with you

Spray&pray is definitely not for me.

**mattb123** · 08-11-2015, 01:56 PM

I always try to get a good shot. Exactly what that means depends on the setting. If I got up at 4 and climbed a mountain to see the sunrise, I'm going to try and do everything I can to get a return on that investment of effort. I think about lens choice, shoot in manual mode, use a tripod, maybe a ND filter, and look for every detail that might add or subtract something from the shot. I would only be upset with imperfect images if I knew I could have done better but just screwed up. Sometimes the light isn't very good (like my sunset excursion last night) and in those cases I consider it a scouting mission for when conditions are better. Or just a nice walk. My dog had a great time.
Learning the technical aspects to the point of them being second nature is just a means to get consistently better photos. Whether it's a wedding, sporting event, or my son's birthday I don't want to have a shot that makes me go bleh when I look at it. But I don't feel like I need to pose all the kids at the party or get out a big softbox. I just need to pay attention to composition, dof, and exposure so I get fewer duds. Mostly because I like to look at good photos.

**rod_grant** · 08-11-2015, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by mattb123

I always try to get a good shot

From what I have seen, you are successful. (I almost wrote 'mostly successful', but from what I have seen, the 'mostly' does not apply.

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08-11-2015, 04:33 AM	#16
Culture Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Vaasa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 818	Originally posted by Wired I think the same thing when I come here and start seeing the insanely technical debate about sensor size, pixel pitch, aperture, etc. etc. etc. Then the extended debate of "can one even take a photograph if they don't understand the technical" I disagree, and I think I'm living proof. I'm not a world class photographer, far from it, but my feedback and referrals tell me I make good photos. This wouldn't have happened if I didn't know the basics, but to me the basics are understanding Aperture, Shutter, and ISO and how they interact. After that, a great understanding of light and how and why it does what it does to illuminate your subject is way more important than selecting the proper aperture. That said some people enjoy different elements. Some enjoy the creation part the most some enjoy the lighting manipulation some enjoy the post production and compositing some enjoy the the planning and concept stages some enjoy just going out and shooting some enjoy the technical To me it doesn't matter as long as your enjoying photography, enjoying what you create, are proud of what you create, and you can find ways to improve every day. There are two major problems with general every day photography today the way I see it: the over analytical tech war and critique that is either not accepted or unsolicited. I am not even close to the work you do. And it might take me time to get there. But I don't ever think I will ever get the technical jargon. It makes me wonder, will I ever be a good photographer? I have just got the 3 basics down and learning about lighting and post processing. Even though I don't think much of my work, others seem to. That is why I have had a wedding session, children shots, and soon a family portrait. Of course I do understand that there are levels of how good one is as a photographer.

08-11-2015, 05:05 AM	#17
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519	Originally posted by Culture I am not even close to the work you do. And it might take me time to get there. But I don't ever think I will ever get the technical jargon. It makes me wonder, will I ever be a good photographer? I have just got the 3 basics down and learning about lighting and post processing. Even though I don't think much of my work, others seem to. That is why I have had a wedding session, children shots, and soon a family portrait. Of course I do understand that there are levels of how good one is as a photographer. Haha thanks. But I don't know the tech side as much as many. I don't know lighting as good as most that use it locally. I'm trial and error, and I've learned what works and what doesn't. Thats the fun part for me.

08-11-2015, 01:09 PM	#18
savoche Insanely humble Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 17,931	Originally posted by mohb I was going to title the thread 'Enjoying photography' but thought that was too wide a topic. Do those who seem to obsess over the technical aspects enjoy just going out 'snapping' or does each picture have to meet certain standards or serve a specific purpose? Do they really get upset because they can't get the required DOF or the bokeh (whatever that is to them) isn't quite right? I am more interested in the technical stuff than many, but mostly when being a "armchair photographer" surfing the 'net. When I'm out and about, and especially when I'm in "the zone", forgetting time and place and just concentrating on my photography, I don't think numbers. I don't think gear beyond "Can I make the picture I'm looking for with what I have in my hands?" Focal lengths are just framing, aperture just depth of field, and ISO a means to enable the shutterspeed needed to avoid (or get) motion blur. Do I enjoy "snapping"? No, not if it means indiscriminately taking pictures of nothing and anything just because. When I do one of my unplanned photo walks I always think over why I take the picture I do, why I choose the framing and angle I do, what I want to be the focus point(s), what elements I want to include and not, how they work together (or not). Not to meet any standards, just to see what I can make work. I suppose my purpose is practising to become a better photographer. Goodness knows I need it

08-11-2015, 01:38 PM	#19
mohb Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,907 Original Poster	Originally posted by savoche When I do one of my unplanned photo walks I always think over why I take the picture I do, why I choose the framing and angle I do, what I want to be the focus point(s), what elements I want to include and not, how they work together (or not). Not to meet any standards, just to see what I can make work. Isn't that sort of 'planning' instinctive rather than consciously thought out? When I said 'snapping' I meant in the way you say, an unplanned photo walk, I think I have been taking photos too long to develop a spray and pray style

08-11-2015, 01:50 PM	#20
savoche Insanely humble Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 17,931	Originally posted by mohb Isn't that sort of 'planning' instinctive rather than consciously thought out? When I said 'snapping' I meant in the way you say, an unplanned photo walk, I think I have been taking photos too long to develop a spray and pray style Ok, then I'm with you Spray&pray is definitely not for me.

08-11-2015, 01:56 PM	#21
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,646	I always try to get a good shot. Exactly what that means depends on the setting. If I got up at 4 and climbed a mountain to see the sunrise, I'm going to try and do everything I can to get a return on that investment of effort. I think about lens choice, shoot in manual mode, use a tripod, maybe a ND filter, and look for every detail that might add or subtract something from the shot. I would only be upset with imperfect images if I knew I could have done better but just screwed up. Sometimes the light isn't very good (like my sunset excursion last night) and in those cases I consider it a scouting mission for when conditions are better. Or just a nice walk. My dog had a great time. Learning the technical aspects to the point of them being second nature is just a means to get consistently better photos. Whether it's a wedding, sporting event, or my son's birthday I don't want to have a shot that makes me go bleh when I look at it. But I don't feel like I need to pose all the kids at the party or get out a big softbox. I just need to pay attention to composition, dof, and exposure so I get fewer duds. Mostly because I like to look at good photos.

08-11-2015, 03:55 PM	#22
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,636	Originally posted by mattb123 I always try to get a good shot From what I have seen, you are successful. (I almost wrote 'mostly successful', but from what I have seen, the 'mostly' does not apply.

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