back alley
IMAGES
i like looking at other's images for a number of reasons...first would be when i get that 'wow' factor, that's the best...
i like looking also to see what other folks are looking at, at how they interpret what they see and how they get it on film or sensor and then to print/display.
the down side for me (when i am in a funk, like now) is that sometimes i walk away feeling /wishing that i could see differently than how i actually do!
sometimes i marvel at the simplicity of an image and think that the photographer must be unique in how he/she see things and want that for myself.
am i just whacko in this or do others also get this way at times?
i like looking also to see what other folks are looking at, at how they interpret what they see and how they get it on film or sensor and then to print/display.
the down side for me (when i am in a funk, like now) is that sometimes i walk away feeling /wishing that i could see differently than how i actually do!
sometimes i marvel at the simplicity of an image and think that the photographer must be unique in how he/she see things and want that for myself.
am i just whacko in this or do others also get this way at times?
FrankS
Registered User
There are many, many photographers whose vision I admire.
DNG
Film Friendly
This is a complicated topic for sure, because it calls into play a persons "natural" eye (or lack of), and a persons "trained" eye, (or lack of)
many many of use love photography, may not have a "natural" eye for composition or other artistic abilities.
And therefore MUST train themselves to develop it.
Others that love photography can go out, and in no time, are creating images that are worthy of museum shows.
My Dad and Mom both had a "Natural" eye for framing and other elements to make a great image...Me, haha... No
I had to "Learn" a photographic eye... by what you (Joe) mentions in the 1st post.
By, looking at others work that I wish I was like, by reading many many articles, and books on composition, light quality, geometry in a photo, etc... and years of failed attempts with a few keepers.
Even though, some of us have to "Train" more than others to get any good at this. There is a time when "OUR" vision can start to show up in our images, and you will know when it is.
Many times, in different stages. One of my things I want to see, is better timing in catching the height of emotion in candid street type photos.
At a resent school field trip to a water park with my sons class, I had a lot opportunities to catch peak expressions of joy. And I did pretty good.
So, I feel now that my timing is better, and that is one more hurdle I am no able clear a bit more often.
We all have "our own vision", and for us, who have to train our eye, by looking at others work, and by much practice to emulate it in a general way,
we are "training" our "eye" to start to see "our vision" more and more.
many many of use love photography, may not have a "natural" eye for composition or other artistic abilities.
And therefore MUST train themselves to develop it.
Others that love photography can go out, and in no time, are creating images that are worthy of museum shows.
My Dad and Mom both had a "Natural" eye for framing and other elements to make a great image...Me, haha... No
I had to "Learn" a photographic eye... by what you (Joe) mentions in the 1st post.
By, looking at others work that I wish I was like, by reading many many articles, and books on composition, light quality, geometry in a photo, etc... and years of failed attempts with a few keepers.
Even though, some of us have to "Train" more than others to get any good at this. There is a time when "OUR" vision can start to show up in our images, and you will know when it is.
Many times, in different stages. One of my things I want to see, is better timing in catching the height of emotion in candid street type photos.
At a resent school field trip to a water park with my sons class, I had a lot opportunities to catch peak expressions of joy. And I did pretty good.
So, I feel now that my timing is better, and that is one more hurdle I am no able clear a bit more often.
We all have "our own vision", and for us, who have to train our eye, by looking at others work, and by much practice to emulate it in a general way,
we are "training" our "eye" to start to see "our vision" more and more.
mfogiel
Veteran
You can see differently, but that does not imply you are the next Van Gogh.
This guy is seeing differently, but I am not excited:
https://medium.com/matter/einsteins-camera-88aa8a185898
This guy is seeing differently, but I am not excited:
https://medium.com/matter/einsteins-camera-88aa8a185898
icebear
Veteran
Sorry for the funk
but TGIF, get out there and shoot.
As for the "see differently" thought ...
there is not much what you can do about the basic reception on how your brain processes everything around you...
BUT what you can change is your point of view - literally, your perspective.
Move around the subject, look at it from a different angle. Sit down, stand up close, take a few steps back, to the left, to the right.
It always will look a little different. This will help to get to the essence of it. ... hope it helps at least a litte. Cheers
but TGIF, get out there and shoot.As for the "see differently" thought ...
there is not much what you can do about the basic reception on how your brain processes everything around you...
BUT what you can change is your point of view - literally, your perspective.
Move around the subject, look at it from a different angle. Sit down, stand up close, take a few steps back, to the left, to the right.
It always will look a little different. This will help to get to the essence of it. ... hope it helps at least a litte. Cheers
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I think we all see differently depending upon the moment, the mood, what else is bugging us at the time, etc. I know I often look at the photos I take immediately afterwards and the first thought in my head is "hmph. bunch of garbage today" but a week later see what I was reacting to when I was snapping the shutter. Same thing when I see other people's work ... it twigs my brain to see from their eyes for a moment, which I can sometimes carry into the field shooting with me for a time until I get past it or incorporate it into my own eyes.
G
back alley
IMAGES
Sorry for the funk
As for the "see differently" thought ...
there is not much what you can do about the basic reception on how your brain processes everything around you...
BUT what you can change is your point of view - literally, your perspective.
Move around the subject, look at it from a different angle. Sit down, stand up close, take a few steps back, to the left, to the right.
It always will look a little different. This will help to get to the essence of it. ... hope it helps at least a litte. Cheers
i need a camera with a tilting lcd back...my knees, ankles, back are fighting me these days!
photomoof
Fischli & Weiss Sculpture
Have you seen the work?
I am not crazy about it, but why post something you don't like? Seems kind of negative thinking.
daveleo
what?
I know what you're saying, Joe.
And, like Frank, there are many many photographers and painters whose work I LOVE. Very different styles and "visions" but wonderful stuff.
My personal (photography) problem is I look at other's great stuff and say "I have something just like that, but mine sucks and this is beautiful."
The really "great" artists somehow make magic out of the same (crap) stuff that I shoot.
It does not discourage me from making pictures, but it does discourage me from showing them to people.
And, like Frank, there are many many photographers and painters whose work I LOVE. Very different styles and "visions" but wonderful stuff.
My personal (photography) problem is I look at other's great stuff and say "I have something just like that, but mine sucks and this is beautiful."
The really "great" artists somehow make magic out of the same (crap) stuff that I shoot.
It does not discourage me from making pictures, but it does discourage me from showing them to people.
I actually like this... what turns you off about it?
photomoof
Fischli & Weiss Sculpture
Saw them in a gallery in Chelsea, they are projected full size so they do present quite beautifully in a dark room.
But there is the dependence on the machine as part of the art. I would have to see more to really decide how I feel.
oftheherd
Veteran
What I learned was that looking at someone else's photo, and liking it, would often make me wish I had photos like that. So I would start looking for scenes/opportunities to do the same. Quite often I would be disappointed, but sometimes I would get something I liked.
But if it isn't something you really like and continue to watch for, in my case at least, you loose it. One reason I enjoy going photo taking with my son-in-law is seeing how his 'eye' works. Sometimes I am fascinated, other times not.
We all have things we like. I think those are what we should concentrate on. If we see another's photo and want to try it, we can, and will probably end up with our own personal spin on it.
I know it sounds trite, but don't stress, just go take photographs and see what turns out that you like. Go take more of those in different ways.
Good luck.
But if it isn't something you really like and continue to watch for, in my case at least, you loose it. One reason I enjoy going photo taking with my son-in-law is seeing how his 'eye' works. Sometimes I am fascinated, other times not.
We all have things we like. I think those are what we should concentrate on. If we see another's photo and want to try it, we can, and will probably end up with our own personal spin on it.
I know it sounds trite, but don't stress, just go take photographs and see what turns out that you like. Go take more of those in different ways.
Good luck.
MikeWebb
Established
I don't really want to 'see differently' but in a dry spell I want to see 'my way' if you see what I mean. Sometimes it just doesn't work, I do all the things I usually do - which is basically go for a walk - and it just doesn't work.
I like to see other people's work and see what ideas/techniques I can steal but I don't often think 'I wish I could see like them' because that wouldn't be me any more.
I think I'm getting muddled.
Basically. Hang loose as the mojo will return and force yourself to go out and take photographs, crap ones, good ones, any ones. This was advice given to me by someone who would take 200 shots each day, every day, work days, weekends no difference. He said forget going for the 'best' shot just take shots, get in the groove, throw away 198 of the 200, just press that shutter.
Of course this doesn't work for film, who could afford to do it. But digital you can. So, if you are mainly a film shooter buy a cheap simple digital camera to use this way until that groove is found. If you have the money buy an X100 which is as simple as they come really and doesn't get in the way of taking photographs nor does it take over unless you want it to.
Mike
I like to see other people's work and see what ideas/techniques I can steal but I don't often think 'I wish I could see like them' because that wouldn't be me any more.
I think I'm getting muddled.
Basically. Hang loose as the mojo will return and force yourself to go out and take photographs, crap ones, good ones, any ones. This was advice given to me by someone who would take 200 shots each day, every day, work days, weekends no difference. He said forget going for the 'best' shot just take shots, get in the groove, throw away 198 of the 200, just press that shutter.
Of course this doesn't work for film, who could afford to do it. But digital you can. So, if you are mainly a film shooter buy a cheap simple digital camera to use this way until that groove is found. If you have the money buy an X100 which is as simple as they come really and doesn't get in the way of taking photographs nor does it take over unless you want it to.
Mike
mfogiel
Veteran
"I am not crazy about it, but why post something you don't like? Seems kind of negative thinking."
- It depends how you define art and photography. In a way, this guy is pushing the boundaries of both, so it is interesting, but still, somehow I do not get excited, because I feel it is too mechanical and too much "matter of fact" Dusseldorf style of seeing.
I like to see some beauty, some poetry, not only forced reinvention of the wheel.
- It depends how you define art and photography. In a way, this guy is pushing the boundaries of both, so it is interesting, but still, somehow I do not get excited, because I feel it is too mechanical and too much "matter of fact" Dusseldorf style of seeing.
I like to see some beauty, some poetry, not only forced reinvention of the wheel.
photomoof
Fischli & Weiss Sculpture
Sorry I asked. :angel:
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Well, as Back Alley originally said: I love to look at other people's photos and find those images that I really admire, etc. More often than not, this helps when I'm in a funk more often than it hurts. Might take a while though.
I really like trying to put myself in the other photographers' shoes/sandals/boots and attempt to feel and think what they were at the time. I really do.
And often (too often), I'm surprised at how I miss so many obvious compositions all around me, because this other guy/gal captured a great image of something I pass by every day. I suppose that all comes down to "seeing" and I just have to accept that some folks "see" really well (at least better than I do).
Then there's that concept of what is my vision vs. someone elses' and do I really want to emulate someone else or do my own unique thing. I'm not tied up in that. I'm not that good, nor will I ever be. I'm pretty happy with doing something similar to something I saw - and liked! It often turns out being fairly unique to me in the end.
I really like trying to put myself in the other photographers' shoes/sandals/boots and attempt to feel and think what they were at the time. I really do.
And often (too often), I'm surprised at how I miss so many obvious compositions all around me, because this other guy/gal captured a great image of something I pass by every day. I suppose that all comes down to "seeing" and I just have to accept that some folks "see" really well (at least better than I do).
Then there's that concept of what is my vision vs. someone elses' and do I really want to emulate someone else or do my own unique thing. I'm not tied up in that. I'm not that good, nor will I ever be. I'm pretty happy with doing something similar to something I saw - and liked! It often turns out being fairly unique to me in the end.
I see plenty of both in that work...
airfrogusmc
Veteran
The problem is many people see it as some weird competition but it's not. If photographer A's photographs are how he see's the world in some honest way and photographer B's photos are the way he see's the world in some kind of honest way then they both could be very valid and one not being better than the other. Just different. And ones opinion of what is better is certainly and only their opinion. Because what is not valid or good to one person is amazing and insightful to another. A lot of that depends on what they are looking for in the image.
Plenty of room for it all out there. So Joe just go out and create honestly. The way you see. Don't try and compare to other photographers because your vision could be just as valid as the person you are measuring against.
Just be true to you. There are probably as many out there that will not like what you create as there are that will like it. And thats OK.
These comments were speaking of personal work.
Plenty of room for it all out there. So Joe just go out and create honestly. The way you see. Don't try and compare to other photographers because your vision could be just as valid as the person you are measuring against.
Just be true to you. There are probably as many out there that will not like what you create as there are that will like it. And thats OK.
These comments were speaking of personal work.
MikeWebb
Established
airfrogusmc - totally agree. It's definitely not a competition, it's expression.
FrankS
Registered User
In years past, there was this photography event recorded for TV called naked in the house. Several photographers were individually given the same amount of time with the same model at a particular location. (Mansion, abandoned factory, cottage) it was fascinating to watch them work and see the different results each comes up with given the same conditions.