Seaside Holiday

Criticism is fine, it's how I learn.

To be honest, and maybe this is where I go wrong, I don't generally have an end result in my head. I see something and think " That looks photographable" ( is that a real word? ). But I'm never sure how it will turn out until I view it later.
Hence my thread some time ago about the artistic eye. I really envy those guys who know what they want and how to achieve it before they take the camera out of the bag.


Well, thanks for the replies guys.
I was only kidding when I bumped it yesterday. I remembered about a thread somewhere else about views and no replies

I shall go back to the mono one and tweak away and consign the others to the "should have tried harder" folder

I'd be curious to know how others take their photographs. I do quite often have an idea of what end result I'm looking for, what the actual photograph will look like and sometimes it's in B&W. But the gap between seeing and delivering seems quite vast and I mostly fall short of what I saw in my head.

I think this is why many of my photographs are two dimensional as the leap from what I see to what I can actually deliver is less great. Also a lot of the time I'm only interested in the play of colour and texture so that 2D is OK.

It's probably also why I like to stage shots such as that floating leaf for the last weekly competition. There I knew roughly what I wanted but I couldn't see how to deliver it. I spent an hour or more taking 100 shots and only stopped as a friend dropped in to have a chat and then the light went.

There are so many people here who do seem able to have a vision of what they want and can capture it - or is their wastage rate as high as mine which is at least 95%?

I too took some shots of a buoy on the beach and I did spend quite a lot of time walking round it squinting at it through the viewfinder trying to get the right angle, background and zoom setting right although I was pretty set it would be 10mm. I probably spent 15 minutes on it but didn't take that many shots.

I find it fascinating to hear how others approach their shots but we rarely seem to share that information.

Mike

Mikew, Its actually a new theme for a new thread isnt it

I am quite opposite of you !
I mostly NOTICE sth, and then try to make a pic.
These are very seldom pics, when I have got a PLAN - what to shoot.

I may pass the same place or thing for thousands times. But one moment I notice a composition, light ets. Then I grab the camera.
I am lucky when I am able to choose right settings then. As the moment passes .... When I am not able - the result is no pic.

I guess it is sort of a new theme but it does follow on from the comments. I too will just walk see something and shoot. But surely even then you have something in your head as you press the button?

Mike

Good twist of this thread, and a subject to explore a bit in depth.
How do we approach a picture? And how do we learn to see, and use the "Eye". In my own case it depends on the situation.
Sometimes I am just confronted with a subject and see a opportunity. But what really works for me is pre-conceiving a idea, often initiated by competition themes, photographic books or spontaneous ideas. If I am lucky the key element being light helps out.
IMO.... no matter the subject, if the light isn't working, I won't push the button. If I have to return later, no problem.
It's usual static and not moving. When I start with the picture taking I always work in rings.
From a general overview towards frame filling details. Capa was right by saying: If the picture doesn't work, you weren't close enough.
Another way of sharpening your skill's is giving yourself a assignment or project to explore in depth.
I think naming Paulyrichard on this forum is a very good example of what I mean.
Last of all I think you should be your own worst critic. And be able and willing to edit your work down to the bone.

Martin.

When out and about I am often with my tolerant wife who will say 'that would make a good photograph' and frequently I'll say but the light's no good it will end up being mush. This doesn't always go down too well so I sometimes just take something and move on.

Returning later is a good plan that I rarely seem to actually see through!

Rather than have a pre conceived idea I just go for a walk and hope to see something captivating - ever the optimist. When shooting for the competitions I will have a better idea of what I want and will go some lengths to manufacture it.

I agree about the getting closer comment it's almost always true at many different levels.

I think it's hard to assess your own image from a creative point of view which is why this and other forums are so helpful.

But on the technical side I think being ruthless is essential. If it's out of focus that's it, if there's camera shake usually that's it, if you totally messed up the exposure that's it. Game over.

How do you get started and wake up the eye each day? Sometimes it's not going to happen and I do find that if I have allocated a few hours of 'me' time for a photographic expedition it just doesn't happen. Sometimes I give up but more frequently I just take photographs knowing they are rubbish but it gets the mind working, analysing trying to create and sometimes I get 'into the groove'.

It must be hard to be a pro and have to rise above mechanical portrait shots which are technically flawless which for a Pro must be a given.

Mike

Mike, what you describe above sounds so much like me!


As for returning later..how many times have I thought that! I've been looking at a certain shot every time I drive past since spring. It'll have autumn colours by the time I get there

I do try to be sefl critical, binning most shots I take due to technical defects, but as Mike says, being critical from a creative point of view is something I find very difficult.
I know exactly that feeling. I can be somewhere, knowing I'm missing all sorts of decent shots that I just can't see. But I click away anyway, hoping that something will come of it.


This is turning into a good thread

I actaully like all of the images, but the ones that really stand out for me is the B&W and the chains.
The first one also looks like with a bit more thought probably you would have managed something more exciting, but I sincerely have no idea how . All I know is that looks to have more potential, and RR's suggestion seems right as he seems to have already formed the process of thought for the end result.

There is no right and wrong in photography Amin. It's merely the way I would have approached it, as Mikew suggested before me & that is low & wide to distort the scale & perspective a little. It may have been totally unworkable that way due to the background etc.

It is my opinion that if I am to take images of static objects such as this, that I should present a view that would not be picked up by the casual observer. This could be achieved in any manner of ways, odd angle of view, picking up on juxtaposition, showing a play of light/shadows, showing a concentrated (cropped) view & many others. Sorry to bring Pauly into it again, but he does this very well, not just with inanimate objects but with people too.

There are plenty of exceptions to this obviously, when recording moments for posterity, formal portraits, wildlife etc.

As for inspiration, my approach is somewhat similar to Mikew, where I will generally wander & watch out for opportunity, usually in new or unfamiliar surroundings. All to often though I will exxplore through the viewfinder & not even fire the shutter.
I too find it much easier when I have a concept in my head, I cannot always technically achieve that concept to the standard I strive for but it does spark the creative mind somewhat. I do miss participating in the competitions here for that very reason.

1. Exactly ! But you have to NOTICE this special, that not everyone notices ! This is what I call: notice! Not only the thing, but also what is special about it and what could be done with it.

2. When I go out specially for looking sth new, I rarely shoot at all.
I usually do not make photo plans, just take the camera with me, if I have some free time or possibility to go out.
It is a bit different with a competition. Then I go round and I have the theme following me all the time (also without camera). I look for an idea.
Sometimes I have the idea at once - some sight in my memory, that could offer a possibility. And having some time, I go and check if it is usable. Its not always. I try not to stick to my idea too much, but look for possibilities. Idea is sth that gives the start, but the result may be different !

But I have never done sth like Mikew did for Serenity I am too lazy for that ! I guess it is a way to learn a lot too...but yeeh, I am lazy.

Nothing is wrong, its just different !

I really enjoy the process of staging a photograph. That smoking gun, the shadows with the cylinder head, the strawberry in the cream. Sometimes being a control freak is good You do learn about lighting etc. and you also learn when people pass comment on the shots.

Equally I enjoy the happy discovery.

As for lazy you can't believe how lazy I can be. Mr Bodge (and I have no idea how that translates) is my name!

Mike

PS A bodge is not a measure of oats it's doing something where you don't do a proper job and while it looks good and works it's not really a very good action that will last.

This is as good as I could find link

Bodging is art form.

Thats for sure !!!

This is unknown world for me.
I have never made any studio-photo. I have not used any additional light.
And although I have a flash, I almost do not use it - I just dont know how, yet.

So, I am really "green" yet

Get another manual flash gun and then the fun begins. Or use a long exposure and the same gun several times.

If I buy anything at all, then a macro lense seemes to be the first in my list.
And before I buy a seconf flash, I should make myself clear how the first works (I have the AF 360FGZ)

Father

I really like the third one. The placing of the yacht is perfect and I love the soft pastel colours of the background.

However it looks to me that the wires (?) are suffering from anti-aliasing ? I cannot see any exif data. Did you resize it yourself ?