Do you photograph only what you like?

[robklurfield]

I don't like this, but I did photograph it. Would Robert Capa's oeuvre exist if he only photographed things he "liked?"

 

[jsrockit]

Rob, I've sween enough of your photos to know that you are certainly not in the "only photograph what you like" category. 🙂
)

 

[tuanvinh2000]

number 2 for me. I photograph things when the light is right. however i enjoy the pictures more when it fits number 2 and something related to me. a combination of both worlds. I do read another line of thinking is that the content of the picture is much more important than the technical part, because it connects more to the viewers.

 

[L David Tomei]

Even when I don't have my camera, I often look around me and try to imagine what would make an interesting image. I will then return later with the camera to try and capture what I saw in my imagination's viewfinder. David

 

[Araakii]

Only what I like. I can't even look at photos that I don't like, so I don't know how I can review my own work if it's something I don't care about.

 

[DtheG]

I like interesting photographs. Photos taken with prosaic docomentary intent can result in images of unintended beauty, pictures of scences and people I like can fail to capture the qualities I saw.

 

[DRabbit]

You can find something photographically interesting, but not like it still... as we talked about early (and as I am sure you know). That's the point here...or at least that is what I'm trying to get accross.

So many times I hear fellow photographers feel as though there is nothing to photograph. I feel anything is photographable.

Agreed.
I'll photograph anything, even if I personally don't "like" it. Example: I recently came upon a large dead fish on the beach. It was gross, but it enticed me into photographing it. And looking at it through the camera, I was fascinated by it, the texture against the sand, the light, and so on. But I still think personally, it was yucky and stinky.

 

[srichmond]

It's a very good question. Generally, I only photograph things that interest me. I don't see the point otherwise.

 

[jsrockit]

It's a very good question. Generally, I only photograph things that interest me. I don't see the point otherwise.

But can't the point be to make a great photograph?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

But can't the point be to make a great photograph?

It is easier to make a great photograph of something that interests you.

 

[paulfish4570]

a particular light can make anything interesting to me ...

 

[zauhar]

I guess my point is that some people only photograph objects, scenes, people, they find interesting... so it becomes a picture of that thing they find interesting. Others will photograph anything only hoping to make an interesting photograph. One may photograph garbage. Most probably don't like garbage, but if taken the right way, it could yield a great photo.

I will happily photograph garbage. Also tags and cracks on the wall, utility poles etc.
Yesterday I spent a while trying to get a good shot of a wet tabletop outdoors.

Good question.

Randy

 

[jsrockit]

It is easier to make a great photograph of something that interests you.

That may be true, but Chris, you certainly photograph things that you may not like. Interest can come simply by wanting to make a great photo of what you are seeing... but to like that same something when you are not photographing is entirely different.

 

[jky]

Anything that I think will make an interesting photo. Although that wasn't always the case... I sort of had this narrow view of the possible images front of me. It had to fit into a certain genre and aesthetic that, not so much that I liked/enjoyed, but rather I was used to.

After looking ?studying? several photo books, I started to really appreciate the subtleties of a photograph that didn't necessarily fit into my mold.