How do you excel at photography?

Sravan, in order to "excel" at photography, it might be a good idea to re-think some of your assumptions. For instance:<br>

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<blockquote>1. Good Exposure. Means to me that the details that you want to show are clear while the details not germane are

hidden in plain sight.</blockquote>

Why are you taking pictures of subjects where details are not germane? Everything goes into a photo. Details are always

germane because they're part of the picture. If there are details you don't like, you have lots of options, including, but not

limited to, re-framing the photo; moving so the details you don't want aren't in the picture; moving so the details you don't

want aren't as obvious through lighting,composition, or focussing; focussing on the details you don't want--you might be

surprised at how photogenic they may be; or, perhaps, not taking the picture.<br>

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<blockquote>2. Good Lighting. Means to me use shadows and highlights to hide what you dont want. Use lighting to the fullest

extent to the end goal of your vision, </blockquote>

Again, why are you taking pictures of things you don't want in the picture? Using shadows and highlights to hide what you

don't want shows a lack of understanding of lighting.<br>

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As other people have recommended, may I suggest you study photos, books, on-line, magazines, newspapers, ads,

anything you can get your hands on. Study photos you like, study photos you don't like. Think about what works in all of

them, what doesn't work, how you would have taken them. Go to museums, exhibits, look at paintings, sculptures, everything.<br>

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Study your own photos, all of them, with a critical eye. What you were attempting in the photo, where it worked, where it didn't.<br>

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Most important of all, have fun! Happy shooting.

<p><a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/rethinking_talent.shtml">Interesting article I read today</a>. It contains some interesting thoughts on the subject of talent and photography (and the process of becoming a better photographer). It is by no means prescriptive; rather the story of one man's path to becoming a better photographer.</p>

<p>When I look back at my 50 years as an amateur photographer, my skill has improved more in the past 5 years than in the previous 45. It was 5 years ago that I "went over to the dark side"* and got a good digital camera. I've shot more images in the last 5 years than in the previous 45. As Mark said, practice, practice, practice is the way to get to Carnegie Hall.</p>

<p>* "Going over to the dark side" was a tongue-in-cheek term used in the film community at Kodak. </p>

<p>I know those of you who said "practice, practice, practice" know this but it might be worth saying out loud that practice doesn't mean just taking a lot of photos. One can take a whole lot of photos without practicing at all. Practice demands attention and craft.</p>

<p>From the point of view of one who does not excel, but admire those who do:<br>

1. scratch #4 -equipment - as explained by John Bellenis and Jeff Spirer<br>

2. Add editing as per Brad - and while doing so think about why each cull is a cull<br>

3. Add timing as Marc Williams has pointed out several times. Often the decisive moment IS but a moment.<br>

4. Dan South's comment on "purpose" is not to be taken lightly, as Fred G. commented on practice, and also applies to #2 lighting. Understanding light and lighting is what photo (light) graphy (recording) really is how we tranform a 3 dimensional scene to a 2 dimensional representation really is all about.<br>

Maybe "purpose" covers everything.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Often the decisive moment IS but a moment</p>

</blockquote>

<p>no it's not. It's one of the most misunderstood things in fact. The decisive moment doesn't deal just with the moment one presses down on that shutter release. The decisive moment is a concept. Seeing as a concept to be more precise way beyond that split-second moment in time.</p>

<p>Let the person who is without crappy pictures throw the first stone.<br>

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedetto_Croce">Benedetto Croce</a> essentially said that "art" or at least true or excellent art is for the artist to achieve their goals.</p>

<p>That covers a lot of ground, but I don't know of any better definition, and I've been in the "critic" business since at least 1966.</p>

Do we have to excel? Must we want to excel?

 

I'm an amateur too. I don't consider myself creative. I do know I like the idea of making things. It could be a picture. Or it could be a soup based on a frozen ham hock.

 

Is it not enough to just enjoy the doing? Or as someone once asked "When do you go photographic?" Recently it occurred to me that for me, as a Photographer, it's no different than as a Fisherman. It's the opportunity to go there and try that matters. Most the time when I go out to shoot, there's no reason, just a meager gladness to have the chance. And sometimes the gods smile upon me.

 

Doesn't everyone have shots they like despite technical, social, or artistic reasons to the contrary? Is there something wrong with that? I decline to believe.

 

Happy New Year everyone. I wish you all good light and fun juxtapositions. The Force be with you ... and all your cameras.

<p>Hi Brian - Happy New Year to you too... and to the whole photo.net community.</p>

<p>Absolutely you don't have to excel (unless you are shooting professionally which is a different matter)... The most important thing is to have fun, enjoy yourself and derive satisfaction - if you also feel that you are continually learning, then that's great too.</p>

<p>The OP asked the question "How do you excel..." followed by a few of his ideas for achieving that goal. Some would seem valid and others may be more of a distraction and counter to his intentions. The bottom line though is that there is no magic bullet or formula.</p>

<p>I happen to think that a certain amount of creativity and talent is innate, and not equally distributed - not everyone can excel absent a certain amount of natural talent, indeed, the desire to "excel" at anything is a tall order. There are legions of hard working, passionate, yet average sportsmen in every field who would attest to this! Also, think about the natural ability of some people to who can instinctively draw freehand, or write music with no formal training.</p>

<p>However, having a goal is admirable and with practice and dedication you can get damn good at most things, even if excelling (in a world of over 6 billion folks) may be a little optimistic!</p>