Bob Michaels
nobody special
No problem with ten being good for you. My series of Cuban transportation http://bobmichaels.org/transportation/index.html has 28 photos depicting 23 distinctly different modes of transportation and distinct variations of five of them. This series was shot over six years 2013-2019 with a defined list of what I wanted to include from the very first photos.
"Cockfighters" http://bobmichaels.org/Cuban cockfighters/index.html my photo story of those who are involved with cockfighting has only 14 photos. But I would defy anyone to show that total culture in a more concise way.
Ko.Fe: I chuckle because I have that photo of the old lady with cigar. I used it as the lead in to a photo talk I once gave. I showed that photo and said "Cuban lady". Then I showed a photo of a old Cuban man with cigar on a donkey. I just said "old Cuban man". Then I showed a photo of Mickey Mouse and said "typical Floridian". After I had made my point, I proceeded with one of my Cuban photo series which was totally different.
I will confidently say that my ten years of photographing in Cuba, probably 500-600 days walking around with a camera has produced more than a series of cliche photos. You may want to consider broadening your thought processes.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Going through life, I see myself primarily as a historian/archivist of cityscapes and landscapes, preserving on film what I know will soon change.
Secondarily, I have my share of good architectural, nature, travel, and people photos.
I have absolutely no interest in explicitly showing my work to others, or being published in a magazine, book, or having my photos in a gallery. My photos are for my own enjoyment and if friends or others enjoy them or understand them, that's fine but not necessary. I do have a story to tell, but I tell it to myself and perhaps sometime later others will see and possibly like that story.
Even for the photographers whom I hold in the highest esteem (e.g. Andreas Feininger, Stephen Shore), I think about 10 photos is enough to make me happy.
Secondarily, I have my share of good architectural, nature, travel, and people photos.
I have absolutely no interest in explicitly showing my work to others, or being published in a magazine, book, or having my photos in a gallery. My photos are for my own enjoyment and if friends or others enjoy them or understand them, that's fine but not necessary. I do have a story to tell, but I tell it to myself and perhaps sometime later others will see and possibly like that story.
Even for the photographers whom I hold in the highest esteem (e.g. Andreas Feininger, Stephen Shore), I think about 10 photos is enough to make me happy.
peterm1
Veteran
I have worked over the years to develop my own style. Part of it has been chance. It may not be the best style in the world but it is mine and in general I like it - though I am constantly exploring and experimenting, looking for new ideas and approaches. My current approach is a more artistic style which interprets what I see; my belief being that this type of imagery demands that the image is not so much exactly representative of what I saw but instead promotes an emotional feeling of being there for the viewer. When successful this creates a bind with the image.
Overall others mostly seem to appreciate what I do though I am not overly bothered by those who do not so long as they are polite. If someone does not like my work that's fine by me so long as they are not gratuitously offensive and I have found very few who are.
Overall others mostly seem to appreciate what I do though I am not overly bothered by those who do not so long as they are polite. If someone does not like my work that's fine by me so long as they are not gratuitously offensive and I have found very few who are.
taemo
eat sleep shoot
I have no problem sharing my photos only but the funny thing is that after over 10 years of being into this hobby, in the past couple of years I'm finding myself sharing less.
At the beginning I was basically sharing photos every day but now, maybe 1-2 every couple of months if ever.
I don't post photos on facebook anymore other than seldomly through Instagram.
At the beginning I was basically sharing photos every day but now, maybe 1-2 every couple of months if ever.
I don't post photos on facebook anymore other than seldomly through Instagram.
aizan
Veteran
I generally avoid it on the Internet because of all the negativity. Without accountability, people take advantage of the situation to be a jerk.
I would only share photos online if I had to do it for advertising (Instagram, online portfolio). Some day, there might even be an online forum that's a good learning environment, which would make scanning worth the time.
I would only share photos online if I had to do it for advertising (Instagram, online portfolio). Some day, there might even be an online forum that's a good learning environment, which would make scanning worth the time.
Michael Markey
Veteran
Enjoy sharing but enjoy looking at other peoples work more .
I don`t have limits in mind in terms of how many when I do.
I think back to the days …. not so long ago …. when photographs were confined to dusty albums and rarely seen except by only a few .
Not so now days ….. they`re part of the social glue which binds friends and communities together .
Let the critics scoff at the plethora of selfies ,food shots ect but overall I think its a healthy thing.
There`s no obligation to look.
I don`t think it terms of style , I just shoot.
Mostly at equestrian events where everyone wants to see a picture of themselves and have something to remember the day by.
Makes them happy /makes me happy .
I don`t have limits in mind in terms of how many when I do.
I think back to the days …. not so long ago …. when photographs were confined to dusty albums and rarely seen except by only a few .
Not so now days ….. they`re part of the social glue which binds friends and communities together .
Let the critics scoff at the plethora of selfies ,food shots ect but overall I think its a healthy thing.
There`s no obligation to look.
I don`t think it terms of style , I just shoot.
Mostly at equestrian events where everyone wants to see a picture of themselves and have something to remember the day by.
Makes them happy /makes me happy .
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Of course I feel comfortable sharing my photos. Why else make photographs other than to look at them, exhibit them, enjoy them with other people?
Do I have a personal style? I'm sure I do, although I choose not to think about it much. I'd rather just like to make good photographs, good sets of photographs, and occasionally put together collections/books/exhibits that make sense to me as a whole, as a statement. Whether they're all coordinated by some style thing throughout is for others to judge, not me. As long as I find the photos I make satisfying, I'm happy to show them to others and see how others react to them.
I love looking at photos posted by others too, regardless of whether they're considered "serious" or "fun". If someone posts photos seeking critical evaluation, I'm happy to do that when asked as best I can, but I don't take it as a given that it's wanted without a specific request. I feel the same way about my posted photos ... If you want to comment or criticize, great. If I want a specific kind of evaluation, I'll as for it. If you just want to look and not comment, that's fine too.
Life's too short to over-think this, for me at least. I'd rather be working on more photos...
G
Do I have a personal style? I'm sure I do, although I choose not to think about it much. I'd rather just like to make good photographs, good sets of photographs, and occasionally put together collections/books/exhibits that make sense to me as a whole, as a statement. Whether they're all coordinated by some style thing throughout is for others to judge, not me. As long as I find the photos I make satisfying, I'm happy to show them to others and see how others react to them.
I love looking at photos posted by others too, regardless of whether they're considered "serious" or "fun". If someone posts photos seeking critical evaluation, I'm happy to do that when asked as best I can, but I don't take it as a given that it's wanted without a specific request. I feel the same way about my posted photos ... If you want to comment or criticize, great. If I want a specific kind of evaluation, I'll as for it. If you just want to look and not comment, that's fine too.
Life's too short to over-think this, for me at least. I'd rather be working on more photos...
G
Henry
Well-known
Negativity is an issue online. It's easy to get caught up in it. At some level I think it might require a thick skin to post heavily online. I try to avoid posting overly-personal images where I might feel sensitive to the result of criticism.
Of course I feel comfortable sharing my photos. Why else make photographs other than to look at them, exhibit them, enjoy them with other people?
Do I have a personal style? I'm sure I do, although I choose not to think about it much. I'd rather just like to make good photographs, good sets of photographs, and occasionally put together collections/books/exhibits that make sense to me as a whole, as a statement. Whether they're all coordinated by some style thing throughout is for others to judge, not me. As long as I find the photos I make satisfying, I'm happy to show them to others and see how others react to them.
I love looking at photos posted by others too, regardless of whether they're considered "serious" or "fun". If someone posts photos seeking critical evaluation, I'm happy to do that when asked as best I can, but I don't take it as a given that it's wanted without a specific request. I feel the same way about my posted photos ... If you want to comment or criticize, great. If I want a specific kind of evaluation, I'll as for it. If you just want to look and not comment, that's fine too.
Life's too short to over-think this, for me at least. I'd rather be working on more photos...
G
I feel this part about personal style. I know that I have one but I find it best to just not think about it. Ultimately my personal style is just whatever I consistently produce, and that over time I'm sure that style changes and evolves. The evolution is what links it together, more than anything.
Yokosuka Mike
Abstract Clarity
I enjoy sharing my photographs.
Some people have their private diary, a written (or verbal, or possibly visual) account of their daily thoughts and feelings. A personal transcript not to be shared with anyone; taken to the grave (so to speak).
With my photography I’m just the opposite, I can’t wait to share it with other people. Of course I only want to share what I consider my best stuff… I take care to carefully pare down my mountain of images to only the few that I feel best represent my work (my artistic endeavors).
I’m pretty sure that there are more than a few members of RFF that don’t like what I’m constantly sharing and that’s alright… I feel the same way about what some of the other members are sharing too! But, I do look at what everyone posts (quite eagerly) with an open mind and a desire to be entertained and inspired by others' pictures.
RFF is a wonderful oasis of mixed cultures, artistic styles, and serious/fun/clever/strange/thoughtful and provocative photography. I’m so happy to have such a place to share my stuff.
All the best,
Mike
Some people have their private diary, a written (or verbal, or possibly visual) account of their daily thoughts and feelings. A personal transcript not to be shared with anyone; taken to the grave (so to speak).
With my photography I’m just the opposite, I can’t wait to share it with other people. Of course I only want to share what I consider my best stuff… I take care to carefully pare down my mountain of images to only the few that I feel best represent my work (my artistic endeavors).
I’m pretty sure that there are more than a few members of RFF that don’t like what I’m constantly sharing and that’s alright… I feel the same way about what some of the other members are sharing too! But, I do look at what everyone posts (quite eagerly) with an open mind and a desire to be entertained and inspired by others' pictures.
RFF is a wonderful oasis of mixed cultures, artistic styles, and serious/fun/clever/strange/thoughtful and provocative photography. I’m so happy to have such a place to share my stuff.
All the best,
Mike
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
I have never taken photos to please other photographers. Family, friends, the random subjects I find and photograph in my wanderings, yes. With my fellow lens people I'm happy to talk shop, admire their camera, look at their work. But show them my work - almost never.
Also I resist posting images online. I had a low-key, private (password protected) web site until 2016 to show my architectural images to clients. Only this year did I finally change my thinking and posted a few images on RFF. That experience was pleasant, but I've yet to put more images online. For me there isn't any thrill in it. That's just me.
I don't have an ego that makes me want to fish for positive affirmation, or what my partner calls "small pats on the head".
The reasons why I photograph the subjects that interest me are manyfold.
I'm old now, but I like to travel. On the road my greatest pleasure is walking in out-of-the-way areas with a camera, looking for the small places, events and subjects that catch my interest. Otherwise, I photograph old buildings, and like so many others too many pretty landscapes. So I have 100,000+ images on hard disks, most I won't ever look at again. Posting these to the rest of the world is low on my list of priorities. Enjoying what is left of my life and the small pleasures of my days - traveling, good local food, wine, time at home with my partner and our cats - are my more important priorities.
I got into photography in the early '60s, and I learned my basics from 'US Camera' magazine, the Kodak 'How To Make Good Pictures' guides and other books by notable TLR photographers of that era.
My way of looking at the world is entirely my own. I personally dislike the terms "style" and "technique" which I see as artificial imposts to promote what I consider a craft to a fine art. Most of us take photos for entirely personal reasons, not to produce 'art'. Respectfully, I have no problem with any who do not share my views. I accept that my ideas as well as my photos are mostly documentary and often seen as old-fashioned. Some who consider photography as "art" may dislike my work. Their criticisms can be valid, but like my own comments, in the summing up they are only opinions.
As a (retired) architect, I visualize in grids. Most of my photos are structured as squares in a 6x6 or 24x36 frame. This can be limiting as often I obsess over keeping my verticals vertical, about ideal foregrounds, and on the fine points of lighting for what (mostly building(s) I'm irecording in pixels.
This often annoys me. Occasionally I sell stock images to book publishers, and those buyers have no problems with my concerns.
Possibly as a compensation for all this mental angst, I often visit the RFF gallery to see visual work by photographers here. I did follow Flickr for some years, but I now find that site too bloated with uninteresting snaps. Here at RFF I look for positive points in the many photos I enjoy seeing, and in my comments I try to compliment the photographers for their work and the effort they make to post it. As for my criticisms, I reckon many of my 'minus points' would be petty and as such, unimportant.
To sum all this up, it pleases me that many here generously share their images with us. But it seems I'm really not one of those.
For all that RFF has been a great and wonderful inspiration to my photography, and I am truly grateful to all those who have helped me in expanding my visual knowledge.
Also I resist posting images online. I had a low-key, private (password protected) web site until 2016 to show my architectural images to clients. Only this year did I finally change my thinking and posted a few images on RFF. That experience was pleasant, but I've yet to put more images online. For me there isn't any thrill in it. That's just me.
I don't have an ego that makes me want to fish for positive affirmation, or what my partner calls "small pats on the head".
The reasons why I photograph the subjects that interest me are manyfold.
I'm old now, but I like to travel. On the road my greatest pleasure is walking in out-of-the-way areas with a camera, looking for the small places, events and subjects that catch my interest. Otherwise, I photograph old buildings, and like so many others too many pretty landscapes. So I have 100,000+ images on hard disks, most I won't ever look at again. Posting these to the rest of the world is low on my list of priorities. Enjoying what is left of my life and the small pleasures of my days - traveling, good local food, wine, time at home with my partner and our cats - are my more important priorities.
I got into photography in the early '60s, and I learned my basics from 'US Camera' magazine, the Kodak 'How To Make Good Pictures' guides and other books by notable TLR photographers of that era.
My way of looking at the world is entirely my own. I personally dislike the terms "style" and "technique" which I see as artificial imposts to promote what I consider a craft to a fine art. Most of us take photos for entirely personal reasons, not to produce 'art'. Respectfully, I have no problem with any who do not share my views. I accept that my ideas as well as my photos are mostly documentary and often seen as old-fashioned. Some who consider photography as "art" may dislike my work. Their criticisms can be valid, but like my own comments, in the summing up they are only opinions.
As a (retired) architect, I visualize in grids. Most of my photos are structured as squares in a 6x6 or 24x36 frame. This can be limiting as often I obsess over keeping my verticals vertical, about ideal foregrounds, and on the fine points of lighting for what (mostly building(s) I'm irecording in pixels.
This often annoys me. Occasionally I sell stock images to book publishers, and those buyers have no problems with my concerns.
Possibly as a compensation for all this mental angst, I often visit the RFF gallery to see visual work by photographers here. I did follow Flickr for some years, but I now find that site too bloated with uninteresting snaps. Here at RFF I look for positive points in the many photos I enjoy seeing, and in my comments I try to compliment the photographers for their work and the effort they make to post it. As for my criticisms, I reckon many of my 'minus points' would be petty and as such, unimportant.
To sum all this up, it pleases me that many here generously share their images with us. But it seems I'm really not one of those.
For all that RFF has been a great and wonderful inspiration to my photography, and I am truly grateful to all those who have helped me in expanding my visual knowledge.
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Archiver
Veteran
My personal work is primarily for my own sense of personal documentation and exploration of photography, and only secondarily for others. What I've posted on flickr is a tiny, tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of digital images I've taken over the past 20+ years. Every now and again, family and friends get a small selection of images that I think are aesthetically pleasant and/or capture what was happening on a given day.
My paid work has to be shared, otherwise I wouldn't be paid for it. So I have to make sure that I'm totally happy with my work before it goes to the client.
My paid work has to be shared, otherwise I wouldn't be paid for it. So I have to make sure that I'm totally happy with my work before it goes to the client.
Richard G
Veteran
This revived thread started on the question of sharing: for me, yes, but not sharing family photographs. And then the point of it all; and style.
In this fantastic school, seeing others’ images, and then putting up some of mine, having skin in the game, has been a fantastic learning experience. One of my mentors here, so generous, was nevertheless still going to tell me that something extraneous right on the edge of an image is a real distraction. Lesson learned.
I think style comes or it doesn’t. Most who’ve thought about it state that you cannot or ought not to pursue a style. Some photographers have a recognizable style honed for purely commercial reasons. That seems not to interest anyone here. Some great photographers have a number of styles. I think of Elliott Erwitt in that regard.
As Rich C said, arriving at the point where you are pleasing yourself, exploring your own interest, is a good place to get to.
In this fantastic school, seeing others’ images, and then putting up some of mine, having skin in the game, has been a fantastic learning experience. One of my mentors here, so generous, was nevertheless still going to tell me that something extraneous right on the edge of an image is a real distraction. Lesson learned.
I think style comes or it doesn’t. Most who’ve thought about it state that you cannot or ought not to pursue a style. Some photographers have a recognizable style honed for purely commercial reasons. That seems not to interest anyone here. Some great photographers have a number of styles. I think of Elliott Erwitt in that regard.
As Rich C said, arriving at the point where you are pleasing yourself, exploring your own interest, is a good place to get to.
Luke_Miller
Established
Virtually everything I shoot (that passes my curation) gets shared. It goes in galleries on my website or on several other sites. As an event shooter I am capturing images for the participants to enjoy afterwards. While I enjoy taking the images, it seems rather pointless if they cannot be seen and enjoyed.
Steve_Pfost
Established
I encourage everyone to show work! I have always welcomed constructive criticism of my photographs. Early on, after being torn to shreds as a young PJ student, I realized constructive criticism or someone telling me why a photo doesn't work was a top priority of improvement. Even today, some may like a photo of mine and others may not, and that's okay. Whether a professional or a hobbyist it can be intimidating to show work but the satisfaction from feedback is always so satisfying. Furthermore, to anyone reading this, take the criticism you receive and embrace it, don't push back with your justifications. Just know that whatever they say is going to make you make better pictures.
Dogman
Veteran
Sadly, all my local friends who were interested in my photos have passed on. I really used to enjoy showing prints to them and they apparently enjoyed seeing them and discussing them. I no longer print my photos. Today I share my photos online with my friends here at RFF and also on Flickr. I've been an enthusiastic photographer for over 50 years, part of that time a working photographer. I really don't need or desire critiques of my work. By now, I know what I'm doing. I also don't critique other photographer's work. I respect that they also know their craft/art and are producing the type of work they intend. I'm not sure there are any "beginning photographers" these days since everyone uses phone cameras since birth. Advising someone who is truly interested in photography I only offer this--look at a lot of photos, find what makes them interesting. If you truly have an eye for the art, it will come to you and you will work to improve yourself. You will have the drive within you--you don't need an effin' guru.
Brambling
Well-known
A very interesting striptease of the soul and thoughts here in the messages)))
I share my photos for a look from the outside, I wonder - was I able to shoot so that the viewer understood me, my thoughts, my feelings and was all this necessary at all?)
When the film runs out - I will shoot digitally, when the electricity runs out - I will draw with charcoal on the wall of a cave, when my biological life ends - I will inspire thoughts directly into my head from the other side)))
Honestly, the photograph itself is not important - it is just a pile of silver or a piece of paint, located in a certain way to attract attention and evoke emotions - the author and the viewer are interesting, the person and his emotions are interesting. If he is important, of course)
I share my photos for a look from the outside, I wonder - was I able to shoot so that the viewer understood me, my thoughts, my feelings and was all this necessary at all?)
When the film runs out - I will shoot digitally, when the electricity runs out - I will draw with charcoal on the wall of a cave, when my biological life ends - I will inspire thoughts directly into my head from the other side)))
Honestly, the photograph itself is not important - it is just a pile of silver or a piece of paint, located in a certain way to attract attention and evoke emotions - the author and the viewer are interesting, the person and his emotions are interesting. If he is important, of course)
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Salt marsh, ocean side of Cape Cod:
iPhone 15 Pro ... 7.8x magnification
It's where I was an hour ago. Lovely place.
I really cannot see why one would not share a nice photograph.
Just have a point upon which the photo hangs.
G
iPhone 15 Pro ... 7.8x magnification
It's where I was an hour ago. Lovely place.
I really cannot see why one would not share a nice photograph.
Just have a point upon which the photo hangs.
G
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
I miss the folks who never post photos on here but nevertheless participated in discussions, were well informed, very articulate, and had interesting things to say about photography and life in general.