how to improve?

[Nando]

As a beginner I find this thread very helpful. Right now I use photography as a means of escaping my mundane daily routines. So I'm mostly interested in improving the process of photography instead of the end results. I think that some of the things I've read here will help me in that regard. My photographs are mostly crap compared to what I've seen from RFF members here but, at this point, if I get a few nice shots that impresses my family and friends then I'm happy. I figure that the more I enjoy the process of photography, the more photos I'll take and therefore the end product will improve. The last thing I want is for the process of photography to become one of my mundane daily routines because then I will lose interest.

 

[FrankS]

Fernando, well said. It is the process of photography that I love as well. When I'm engaged in photography, I am able to forget about everything else. One of the reasons I use manual cameras is that I do not want the automated camera to take away any part of the process of photography from me. This is also why I enjoy developing B+W film and printing enlargements, all part of the process, from beginning to end, that I am in control of, so that I can take complete credit or blame for the end result, because it is mine.

If in the end, there is an image that pleases me, and to a lesser extent others, that is a bonus. It is the process that I have enjoyed.

 

[john neal]

Hi Jon,
this is a sort of slapstick situation 🙂 because 'please excuse my poor English' is (the other italian guy) palabras' motto above his signature ... not mine but there was not humour at all in my reply, i must have really misunderstood what john neal wrote me ... i'm glad for your reply but now i'd like to know what john neal meant and, by the way, if i've been unpolite with my reply😕
Confused regards...
Nico

Nico,

I had a good laugh, so don't worry about causing offence - I'll just ask my Sicilian Uncles to pay you a visit 😉

What I meant was my French is about as good as a 10-year old French boy (well, maybe not quite that good...), or to put it another way, I remember what I learned at school when I was 15.

Hope that makes sense?

 

[Nando]

FrankS,

When I began with a dSLR and captured a great shot people would say to me: "Wow, that's good. You must have a great camera." And for the most part, I would have to agree with them - the camera did most of the work. And I found that my photos ended up looking a certain way. I can't explain it except to say that there was some sort of conformity about them. Now when they say that I show them my Bessa-T and they are astounded that I took a good photo with such a basic camera and the look at me in a different light. I find that to be a motivator so the end-result is important there but I find that rewards from recognition isn't long-lasting (especially since I don't get much) so the joy I get from the process is what has to keep me going.

 

[FrankS]

Agreed! It may even be a prerequisite for successful images: that the photographer emphasise the process rather than anticipate the end result.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Nico

I am so sorry for confusing you with Palabras. There is no excuse.

The 'joke' is really funny in English because 'schoolboy French' and 'French Schoolboy' are so different. I guess I was laughing here and momentarily confused two of the nicest guys on RFF who both happen to live in Italy.

Apologies to Palabras too.

 

[nico]

Nico,

I had a good laugh, so don't worry about causing offence - I'll just ask my Sicilian Uncles to pay you a visit 😉

What I meant was my French is about as good as a 10-year old French boy (well, maybe not quite that good...), or to put it another way, I remember what I learned at school when I was 15.

Hope that makes sense?

Ahah!! I really didn't understand😀 , I enjoy you laughed about it... and this time I guess I understood what you mean about your sicilian uncle ... my luggage is ready ...I'll be away for awhile😀
Bye
nico

 

[nico]

Nico

I am so sorry for confusing you with Palabras. There is no excuse.

The 'joke' is really funny in English because 'schoolboy French' and 'French Schoolboy' are so different. I guess I was laughing here and momentarily confused two of the nicest guys on RFF who both happen to live in Italy.

Apologies to Palabras too.

Hi Jon,
I told you this was a kind of "qui pro quo" situation so you just added more fun 😀 (there's anything to excuse about)!!🙂
Bye
Nico

 

[Gid]

Gid - thank you.

Technique - different technique for subject matter; technique is foundation of photography but knowledge of art principles are very necessary; using creativity and abstraction can help; design brings abstract ideas into concrete form.

The description was not very useful. Again, thank you.

Now - what about "art principles"? 🙂

Chris,

You're welcome.

JLW's post covers the issues very well in terms of the difference between mastery of technique and taking a good/great photograph.

Art is a minefield and one that I am happy to discuss but tread warily around. I know what I like and if i were to pick genres it would be impressionism and the pre-raphaelites for the way they convey light, but I like so much else. This is also refelcted in the type of photography I like.

Ultimately, you have to let your eye and brain (most art is emotional IMHO) decide.

Studying the work of a wide range of artists both photographic and non photographic helps, I think, to understand what makes a good image. However, whilst there are generally held opinions about particular artists with regard to their skill and standing you have to beware of "emperors new clothes" - that is make your own mind up. The recent flickr joke regarding HCB is a case in point - the question is, if you didn't know that this was created by a "master" would you still like it🙂

As far ar commenting on the photographs in the members galleries is concerned - if you like an image say so, say what you like about it - the lighting, the soft focus, the subject matter ... I'd much rather that someone said they like one of my shots because it conveyed some emotion to them than someone compliment me upon my technique (but that is also welcome)🙂