The artistic eye

How do you get it?

I've been looking at some photos in "Your Photos" by "Bob and his Pentax" and he gets a lot of similar comments as I've had.

One of which boiled down to; very nice shots, but not artistic.
(BTW, I'm in no way passing comments on your photos Bob I like them )

I've looked at some of my friend's photos and the subjects he chose I wouldn't have even considered, yet they are (to my mind ), really good photos.

An example, a piece of rusty ironwork on the beach. I'd walk past it and curse it for littering the beach. He photographed it ( macro, I think) and it really works...how did he know it would?

Probably a rhetorical question, but I had to ask.

nothing wrong with really good photos.

if you see alot of really good photos, why would some stand out more than others?

is ironwork art?
is litter on a park bench art?

perhaps a man walking past litter on a park bench is art?

sorry no answers...only questions.
I can't tell you what art is. You'll know it when you see it. just don't count on anybody or everybody, or somebody to agree with you.

A lot of the artistic shots I've seen are normal things, but taken at interesting angles (or with different effects). So where I might be happy with a front on shot of a building (or maybe have it at an angle if I'm feeling adventurous!) they'll be getting close ups of features, finding some really interesting ways to show the building.

I found Bryan Peterson's book very helpful "Learning to See Creatively"

It's something that can be learned
Matt

That's good, because I really need to learn it

I've got to admit, though, that posting my pics on here does two things. I stop and think before I "click", although, I could do with thinking a bit longer sometimes.
And the C&C I get back is like having private tuition

Just had a look at this week's competion and Cabstar is exactly what I had in mind. How did he KNOW that that would make a good picture?

Thinking back, the winner of the "Blue" competition a few weeks ago.
I don't "get" it.
I looked at it and wondered what it was. I showed it to my brother-in-law , without telling him it had won and he said WOW!! I bet that won!

here's something to try....
walk 15 feet from your front door (any direction you can), pretend you have a one meter circle around that spot(stay in it), pick one subject near you, and photograph it. Now try to take twenty five more photo's of it. try different angles, overexpose, underexpose, different focal lengths/lenses. *and aperture/shutter speed combinations*
Now look for ten more subjects in the same spot and repeat for each subject.

go over your results and see what you like.
try a different direction next week.

then when you spot a peice of litter on a park bench, approach it from every angle, walk around it, try up close and further away.....

Thanks
The real influence comes from a rubbish pic I posted on my flickr, this one




I submitted that for some feedback & a user mentioned those chains would make a good subject. So I went back & had a go, after 5 shots I had my final image. I took four pics from different angles, but non looked satisfactory, then I noticed the U bolts & thought that would be a perfect subject, then it was just a matter of getting the composition right, I went for diagnal angle of the chain to create interest & hopefully a little tension.


Gary

Lots of suggestions. Thanks folks

Don't know about 15 feet from my door, ( neighbours already think I'm mad ), but might take my camera to work and pop out to the local national trust nature reserve at lunch time.

Even throw away comments inspire me. On another forum one member said 'Thank god they don't live in Grimsby anymore, as there is nothing to photograph!!!"

I grabbed my camera there & then 1 hour later I had this....




There are pictures everywhere, people say I have a good eye, I say I just LOOK more... My wife often says 'what you taking a picture of that door, handle, paving stone, etc for.'
Then when she sees the pics she says oh that looks good, but she doesn't link the photographing the door to the actual picture.

Now that's really nice!!!

I get flack of my missus too. I suppose I need to go by myself, that way it won't matter if I spend half an hour photgraphing the same tree!

I'm definitely going to follow Don's suggestion of taking many and various shots of the same thing, from different angles. The place I took the photos for this weeks comp held some nice surprises, so I might go back there after work on Monday.

is that a BAD thing?
I used to work at a mental hospital.
one day I grabbed some pajamas that had "Selkirk Mental Health Center" emblazoned across the chest and back.
One of my co-workers wanted to know why...
I told him I was taking my son on my motorcycle to see my buddies new chopper, at a Hells Angels convention Near Kenora ont (Vermillion Bay).

"You're going to a biker party on a yamaha crotch rocket?" he asked, "aren't you afraid?"

"They won't F#$% with me when they see these pajamas" I replied....

Before you can take good photographs you have to know what makes a good photograph, go to galleries, libraries, even magazines some of the most creative photography is in advertising.

When you see something you like, just keep it in mind for when your in a similar situation, then copy it ruthlessly.

This site is full of 'good' (actually better than good) photographs and is a starting point. Notice how many have people in them.

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/

After a while you get so many ideas in your head that there is hardly any situation that doesn't excite you into taking pictures.

The best pictures tend to start with an idea inside your head, most people do it the opposite way round, they react to what they see, so their pictures have no purpose.

ChrisJ

Have to agree with screwdriver there.

My best pictures have happened when I had an idea in mind, then once I have achieved that idea, and or it doesn't work I look at different variations.

Also looking at other people work regurlaly, without realising you will find all these artists work becomes an influence to your work. This happens subliminally.

Of course all of this means nothing unless you actaully get out with your camera I have just finsished AS level photography & the number of students who don't go out even once a week with their camera amazed me.

Ive just completed an art and a photography gcse (granted I wasn't taught the photography, I just did the work) and formal tuition helps. Plus I generally do alot of art, am interested in art, and browse art on websites alot.

Theres a difference between types of photography.. wedding photography, commercial photography, fashion photography, then theres art photograhy, alot different.

My favourite art photographer is Andreas Gursky.


Infact if you are interested in modern photography as an artform, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photo-Art-New-World-Photography/dp/0500287112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213486979&sr=8-1
that book is fantastic (if a little disturbing in parts)