How much effort does it take to get the picture perfect?

<h4>Have you wondered why awesome photographers always have that few photos that are very well known and the rest are just mediocre?</h4>

<p>Today I like to share with you on this point, about persistency.<br>

Here I give a very stark difference of an example to illustrate my point. The picture shown below is a collage of a portion of photos I took before I capture that 1 shot that makes it to the audience.<br>

<a href="http://www.kensgoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Collage.jpg"><img src="http://www.kensgoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Collage.jpg" alt="Collage" width="612" height="792" /></a><br>

In the picture below shows the exact moment it fires off and it takes a great deal of concentration to look out for the signal for firing. I might be lucky, but it's definitely my persistency to capture it that allows me to capture this shot. Although this might not be a picture perfect or glamorous shot. However my point is that being persistent on the same object with constant awareness of what is it to capture that moment that you want to have is crucial. In this case, the right timing to hit the trigger.<br>

<a href="http://www.kensgoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/D71_5913.jpg"><img src="http://www.kensgoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/D71_5913-1024x683.jpg" alt="D71_5913" width="1024" height="683" /></a><br>

As a photographer, I share the same sentiments about taking photos. We strive to achieve to get the best photos out there that is uniquely us. The enormous amount of effort to get to that one photo that can win competition, how much effort should we put in?<br>

The answer to that can only be answered by your determination to get that photo that is uniquely yours.<br>

I would like to hear your view too, so do leave a comment.</p>

 

<p>Yes, it takes effort, though generally I find waiting and continuing to shoot not an effort, merely a way of increasing my odds. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, but it is not effort nor skill, in my view.<br>

Effort is hiking out in the early morning to catch that perfect light. Effort is years of studying, learning and gaining experience to be able to recognise and capture that one moment instantaneously, and react immediately. Effort is studying your subject for a long time intensely to understand how to capture it such that it is shown exactly the way you want.<br />And even then, the photo will not be perfect. It never is.</p>

<p>I don't think that anyone will ever get the "perfect picture" as someone will always think that there is something not quite 'right' about an image. Having said that I think perseverance is key. I am still trying to get an image which is constantly perfectly lit but always has a distracting modern intrusion such as a car which spoils it for me. I am sure others will disagree.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Photography is not about one thing, one trait, one quality. Some photos for some photographers are about persistence. Others are about passion. Others about spontaneity. Others about the moment. Others about the story. There is some overlap on all of these at times and there's much more to it. For me, there is no perfection and no single magic <em>x</em>.</p>

<p>I agree with you 100%<br>

As a sports photographer, you learn to anticipate the peak of the action.</p>

<p>I have no idea really what "perfect" means in this context. In the shots above some people might think that perfect would be all guns firing together or that the shot should be taken from a different perspective with all the guns barrels aligned etc etc. You may have the best shot of the lot from the ones you took, but perfection is in the mind.</p>

<p>For my work, I defined "perfection" as accomplishing what I wanted to achieve...not somebody else's definition.</p>

<p>Stephen, that would seem to work in most cases and I like your personalization of perfection. The deviation for me would be that sometimes, by accident or just going with the flow at the time of shooting or post processing, I actually don't accomplish what I wanted to achieve but accomplish something else that works for me anyway.</p>

<p>What was the purpose of this event? What story do you want to tell? Which photo illustrates that story?</p>

<p>As an ex-journalist, I'm accustomed to publishing photos 3 columns wide or less (usually less). That means moving in close, using a telephoto, or cropping severely. Flame and smoke is certainly dramatic, but the artillery team is part of the story too. Where are the faces and actions? I see nothing here but a cluttered long shot.</p>

<p>That aside, make up a story and select the shot which best illustrates it.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Fred - that works for me as well. Sometimes we realize that there are better options right in front of us than what we originally envisioned.</p>

<p>Your story reminds me of what it took to get this candid portrait:<br>

http://graphic-fusion.com/phcherokee01.htm</p>

<p>I'm not saying this is the greatest photo of all time, but I really wanted to capture this man's beautiful (but fleeting) laugh. I think I took so many shots he was starting to get nervous. And then I managed to capture what I was after. I later showed him the one good frame and explained why I had to take so many shots to get it. Sweet guy! I'm glad he was so patient with me.</p>

<p>Sometimes I get so caught up with one issue, I forget everything else. Yes you got the instance of the firing, but the picture isn't level and the smoke is behind what appears to be a broken street light. The picture seems under exposed and too busy. You worked very hard on getting this image, so that's great. Sometimes we're in a position that blocks getting a good view and shot.</p>

I posted this on another thread recently but this conversation is another good place to bring it up. This is a series of shots

of Salvador Dalis attempts to come up with his famous photo. I keep thinking of the poor cats who were thrown around all

day.

Try again<div></div>

<p>As Wouter mentioned, effort can take many forms. The type and quality of the effort is also variable and some efforts require more investment of time, thought and energy than others, whether physically or cerebrally in nature, or both. There are few if any perfect shots and the definition of perfect is also highly variable from person to person. What finally accounts more than contests or acclamations or someone else's notion of perfection is what motivates you in photography, what do you want to accomplish and how well you accept and further your own objectives or approach. If your images speak to others successfully, or particularly to those you seek to address, then you can be pleased of that additional feedback. When you find you are getting somewhere you also can recognize that your finest image is yet to be made and you are willing to invest energy in that pursuit because the process of exploration as much as the result has become important to you. </p>

<p>I shoot as many as it takes. Depends on the situation. When timing is critical, but the peak action is unpredictable, there's rarely any reason to avoid taking plenty of frames. With digital my delete button works fine for those not-quite shots.</p>

<p>Wow, thanks everyone for the kind feedback. Yeah, for myself as long it felt perfect, it is fine. It's just like not everyone will like the same color, which is the same for pictures. Just like what you all said, no picture can be 'perfect', but we can strive to be flawless. Which is why feedback is very important, as to bringing more perspective of other people and have a good sense of what is missing out.<br>

Donald, nice photo! I think I saw that before somewhere, great to be reminded of.</p>

 

<p>Most of what I do with people: ie, candid or "documentary" portraits depends on chance and my ability to capture a very fleeting moment, which will never be exactly the same again. I often only have a few seconds to get my shot. So, for me, its not about sheer numbers or "effort" but skill in being in the moment and luck!</p>

<p>Well, I once spent 3 1/2 years photographing a tree to try to get what I thought was the perfect picture. In the end I settled for the best so far! :)</p>

 

<p>It depends at what level of photography you are. I have heard it said there are 4 levels. First you are unconsciously incompetent, don't know what you don't know. Second, you are consciously incompetent, know you don't know everything and begin to recognize the problems in your work. Third, consciously competent, it takes much conscious effort to be competent. Fourth unconsciously competent, when you perform competently without a lot of effort or just automatically. At the first 2 levels, will rarely produce a perfect image. In the last two, will produce more in a shorter time. </p>

<p>@Chris I would love to see that photo of the tree!</p>

Careful thought, and the prime element - LUCK

<p>William Eggleston said:<br>

“I only ever take one picture of one thing. Literally. Never two."<br>

I like his approach but do not apply it rigorously.</p>

<p>Thomas, he also said something which I entirely agree with and which might be a better definition of what can make a (near-) perfect picture, at least in terms of photography as an artistic medium of expression:</p>

<p>“I am at war with the obvious.”</p>