I‘ve been asked this question many times. What differentiates a masterpiece from the rest? There are underexposed and overexposed photographs which are showcased while some of the technically perfect ones left out. I’d better try to answer this through a post.
Photography is an art. And just like any form of art photography is medium for expression. How well your photographs make an expression depends on how well the expression is communicated. While you may still be using a compact camera, it is still important to understand that there’s nothing too difficult about it and that you have already been practicing this art all this while – after all you’ve clicked children smiling and flowers and the sunsets. They all express something. Here are a few tips on refining the artist in you.
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Understand how photographs are interpreted
At an abstract level , photographs and images are symbolic – an open door, the horizon, a tree all convey something. It is therefore important to know what the scene conveys and how to get the best shot.
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It’s all about reaction
People react in various ways when they look at a picture. It depends on how they interpret the massage, their background, the culture they belong to. Thus different people will have different reaction and understanding of your work. Believe in yourself and be open to feedback. Understand that not everyone has the ability to critically analyze a photograph.
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Personal expressions
Once you know how photographs are interpreted it’s time to develop your own expression and practice the art. Like every painter’s or musician’s work has their signature your photography will bear the hallmark of your personality. Groom your expression and individuality.
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Draw inspiration
Study the work of great photographers and see what their work speaks. This will inspire the creative and the artist in you.
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Don’t lose heart
I don’t know of a photographer whose every shot is an art master piece. In the film days the learning process was long and a steep curve. In the days of the digital it’s easy – shoot and delete. Every professional shoots thousands of photographs only a few of which are really usable. The ratio of good shots versus the rest will be an indicator of your progress; so don’t lose heart – it’s just a matter of time and even professionals aren’t perfect. Soon you’ll see that most of your photos are coming out great and only a few are off the mark.
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Great tips, thanks a lot.
Nice tip! This is a great site. As I like photography, I will subscribe to your feeds…
One of my night class tutors told us, “The usual success rate is about 1 in 36. No matter how good you get the rate stays about the same. As your 35 discards get better your expectations increase.”
I can go for an afternoons shooting and come back with over a hundred images. If I get 3 or 4 images that I am happy with then I class the afternoon a success.
So do not expect every shot to be fantastic – you will be very disappointed very quick. Just shoot the best you can every time and try and work out why you do not like the image. Don’t forget to use the metadata for the image so you can view the camera settings for the image – this may reveal mistakes or suggestions on a different approach.
Good luck and good shooting,
Paul
Hi Paul ! I think you’re a bit optimistic with the rate of 1:36 (roughfly 3%). I remember I’ve read an article from a National Geographic photographer and he was telling there that he considers himself lucky with a very good shot (we talk about proffesional level) per month ! And I think that photographers like Guy Tal or Mark Adamus or Alain Briot (and so on) who sell each copy for several hundreds of $ have also a very very low percent of quite stunning shots. That’s the way it goes. Art is a very hard work. I (well, as a begginer) have maybe a handfull of good shots – or what I think that are good shots! – from more than thousand shots chosen to be kept on the hard disk (much more made their way to the recycle bin!).
And, in the end, as you say: Good Luck and Good Shooting,
Peter
hi,
This is an amazing site. Your are doing a great job.
regards,
Sanjoy.
ilike your site.your doing a great job.
Rgards,
Mariko
Hello,
I’ve really enjoyed reading the articles on this site. Very informative and inspirational to the beggining to average photographer.
One question: How does one find subjects of interest in areas without much interest? This is a problem I have where I live. The land is flat, few rivers (of beauty), no mountains, ocean facing south, etc,etc.
You do seem to have a problem Mark.
A flat landscape then pushes you towards dramatic weather or possible buildings on the horizon that become “a point of focus”.
Try using “the rule of thirds”. Perhaps you can place the horizon on the bottom horizontal third. A building at an intersection along the bottom line. Dramatic clouds, etc. filling the remaining two thirds.
If the clouds are moving fast use a tripod and make long exposures to use the cloud movement. Perhaps towards you or on a diagonal across the image. Try different times. Start with 5 seconds then double it and double it again, etc. You may have to use Neutral Denstiy filters to slow things up. Even a Polariser can drop your speed down a stop or two.
Use your roads for perspective shots. Or if the you have areas of low hilly terrain with roads there maybe be oppotunity there too. Use long lenses to compress the distances and bring the hills closer together or wide angle lenses to make them appear much further way.
Ok these maybe a bit cliched, but they can make for strong images.
Weather can be emotional powerful in an image and the worse the weather the more power. Try using a red filter and shoot in Black & White. The clouds will leap out of the image and smack you in the face ! Sure you can try this in Photoshop, but try doing it the hard way too.
Repetition and one item that is different is also a strong compositional tool too. Place that item at a strategic point in the image and it is amplified.
So study the rules … no … the guides to composition and the dull and your flat land may become a lot more intetresting.
Good luck
Paul P