I'd like to think so too I think
"The last thing they want is to be noticed and the less attention they attract the better." .................is more me @sdpace
well the writer is correct to a large degree. but it's also down to style preferences i guess. i shoot mostly street, but sometimes i'll see a person really interesting and i think wow, i just want to kidnap that person and spend a day fumbling through a studio shoot :P
also i quite like this post by one of the commentors:
"I've had the notion that photographers come in two general categories; additive who start with a "blank canvas" like painters, and subtractive, who use the frame(and timing) to control what ends up in the photograph. I've always felt more comfortable as the latter, but admire the former. Some of course are accomplished at both."
But seeing all the photos here and everybody's support, tips and guidance are really inspiring me to strive more, be better and HAVE FUN! Everyone has been so helpful when I ask for critique and tips. And for allowing me to recreate their shots to see if I am even able to give it a twist. I have nothing but admiration to everyone here. I'm glad that Ross created this site. :)
Interesting... I use a similar description although instead of calling the one group control freaks, I describe it levels of patience one may have.
For example, on the one side which I generally categorizes as the photojournalist types, these photographers are the type that can patiently wait for that moment that Henri Cartier-Bresson calls the "decisive moment". I generally group wedding, landscape, wildlife, photojournalist, documentary, event and sport's photographers into this category.
Then there is the other camp of photographers that know the image that they want to create but don't have the patience to wait for it to happen naturally. So instead, these photographers will create the "decisive moment" by creating/adding the lights, models, background, props, etc... This group are often your art photographers, fashion, beauty and commercial photographers.
Some genres, like portrait photographers, can fall in the middle somewhere.
Oh yeah... I've been more of the impatient/control freak type (i.e. I was doing a lot of fashion/beauty photography) and now I'm trying to develop more patience and capture the "decisive moment".
Middle of the road for me...
Landscape, location, travel, wedding, and architectural photographers tend to fall somewhere in the middle. They understand that they are often at the mercy of mother nature, time, and logistics, yet they're often willing to do whatever it takes to get the shot, whether it be waiting hours or days for the light to be right, or adding unseen lights, shims, and reflectors to a scene. They can certain recognize and take advantage of a serendipitous moment when they see it yet they are perfectly willing and able to seize control if the need arises
And I am happy with that
Yeah that's a fair comment. I'd love to be able to photograph people better, but I don't know why I just can't do it. I like to go out by myself and find something, photography for me is pretty solitary.
Interesting opinion, I go against the logic though. I'm definitely a control freak and the more stressed I am the more controlling I become but I'm not a hug fan of studio photography. I can set up studio lighting/backdrops etc but I am yet to enjoy the experience, I much prefer capturing portraits of people more candidly in natural surroundings.
This line describes me fairly well. But I also tend to fly by the seat of my pants most of the time (When photographing for myself)
"often willing to do whatever it takes to get the shot, whether it be waiting hours or days for the light to be right, or adding unseen lights, shims, and reflectors to a scene. They can certain recognize and take advantage of a serendipitous moment when they see it yet they are perfectly willing and able to seize control if the need arises."
I've never been in or experienced studio photography. I'm not a photographer. I wouldn't like to class myself as a photographer either. I love taking pictures. That is all.
@miley89 i know exactly what you mean. I'm a bit of a misanthrope so i do enjoy the solitude, but i also crave social interaction when i'm alone (i guess the grass is always greener on the other side). It's not easy thing to photograph strangers, I've been doing it almost day in and day out for half a year now. But i still struggle with finding the courage to lift the camera to my eye and point it right at someone close up.
definitely gets the blood pumping a bit quicker, i guess that's why we do it. :D
That's something I really admire. I've never studied photography or ever considered it as a career. I don't think I could do it and I'd be frightened of something I love to do becoming a chore. I'm pretty basic in everything I do and my editing is minimal.
I've been doing street a couple of months, and like @scatochef says it definitely gets the heart racing not knowing how people will react. I quite open about what I am doing though, and have no problem being stood a couple of feet away from whoever I am shooting.
@miley89 !!!!! that's me in a nutshell hahaha. i'm self-taught with photography and although i'm looking to change career, i'm very hesitant to venture into photography in case it somehow extinguishes my interest in it.
I've a friend who is self taught too and he's very good at what he does and he is a professional photographer. I think sometimes you just got to have the balls to give it a try. What's the worst that can happen really? People say you're crap? So what!
But then again. I don't have the balls lol @scatochef
I really don't know what I am yet. At the mo I like to see something, grab the camera and shoot. I don't have a lot of patience to wait around for something but don't have equipment for studio. Plus I also feel I think I would get bored with studio photography. I like the thrill of the chase and knowing that something is happening to be there for it but only if my interest is in it, plus being a stay at home mum doesn't give me the money to get out and about to catch what I really want with the camera which is really really annoying. So at the mo, I wander about and if something catches my eye I shoot. Now and again, I plan shots and fun as they can be I'd rather it was there to shoot. I'm lazy, lol.
I'd have to class myself into the landscape/location photographer. I've never had interest in doing studio photography and I am not very imaginative when it comes to setting up shots in advance. Set me loose somewhere though and I will find things to shoot and have a great time doing it. ;-)
@scatochef Totally agree about additive vs subtractive. I hate studio work, not because I don't get it but because if I have to start with a blank canvas I'm completely stumped. I can't pose people and even arranging food or whatever gives me a massive headache. But start with the world as it is and I'm away... :)
I do a lot of Street Photography but will do any kind if asked, except weddings that's too stressful for me, I am not keen on posed and planed photography I'd rather dive in the deep end and I prefer being outdoors.
well dang! i was hoping someone would tell me ;p apart from "lame" i haven't the foggiest idea of how to answer this question... my modus operandi is to take a bazillion shots and hope that a couple of them turn out "ok"... is there a category for "someone who owns a camera and relies on dumb luck"???
I'm very much into nature/macro photography. It's my upmost favourite! I have no interest in studio work. I love spending time alone, I can get lost for hours on end just trying to get those perfect shots. I also need a lot of patience as mother nature if half of it. It's also incredibly relaxing and makes me appreciate the beauty of the world, as well as insects and animals.
Nature and macro for me too but also like landscape, architecture and if I see anything interesting, funny or just unusual then I would take of it too - I haven't really got a style except maybe weird and wonderful.
@miley89 Like you I tend to stay away from shooting people. Just to push myself I set the challenge of shooting people every day for the month of October. http://365project.org/mcrt/365/2011-10 If not a month then try at least a week of people shots for your 365. It is a great way to learn.
Hmm I dunno, I don't think I fall into any of those niches, I really am the shoot at whatever takes my fancy type. I like working alone and indoors but also like working with people and outside... my friend would simply call me a happy snapper!
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"They give up the bulk of their control in exchange for the joy of the hunt and the miracles of serendipity."
"The last thing they want is to be noticed and the less attention they attract the better." .................is more me @sdpace
also i quite like this post by one of the commentors:
"I've had the notion that photographers come in two general categories; additive who start with a "blank canvas" like painters, and subtractive, who use the frame(and timing) to control what ends up in the photograph. I've always felt more comfortable as the latter, but admire the former. Some of course are accomplished at both."
But seeing all the photos here and everybody's support, tips and guidance are really inspiring me to strive more, be better and HAVE FUN! Everyone has been so helpful when I ask for critique and tips. And for allowing me to recreate their shots to see if I am even able to give it a twist. I have nothing but admiration to everyone here. I'm glad that Ross created this site. :)
For example, on the one side which I generally categorizes as the photojournalist types, these photographers are the type that can patiently wait for that moment that Henri Cartier-Bresson calls the "decisive moment". I generally group wedding, landscape, wildlife, photojournalist, documentary, event and sport's photographers into this category.
Then there is the other camp of photographers that know the image that they want to create but don't have the patience to wait for it to happen naturally. So instead, these photographers will create the "decisive moment" by creating/adding the lights, models, background, props, etc... This group are often your art photographers, fashion, beauty and commercial photographers.
Some genres, like portrait photographers, can fall in the middle somewhere.
Oh yeah... I've been more of the impatient/control freak type (i.e. I was doing a lot of fashion/beauty photography) and now I'm trying to develop more patience and capture the "decisive moment".
Landscape, location, travel, wedding, and architectural photographers tend to fall somewhere in the middle. They understand that they are often at the mercy of mother nature, time, and logistics, yet they're often willing to do whatever it takes to get the shot, whether it be waiting hours or days for the light to be right, or adding unseen lights, shims, and reflectors to a scene. They can certain recognize and take advantage of a serendipitous moment when they see it yet they are perfectly willing and able to seize control if the need arises
And I am happy with that
@scatochef
"often willing to do whatever it takes to get the shot, whether it be waiting hours or days for the light to be right, or adding unseen lights, shims, and reflectors to a scene. They can certain recognize and take advantage of a serendipitous moment when they see it yet they are perfectly willing and able to seize control if the need arises."
@emmar84
definitely gets the blood pumping a bit quicker, i guess that's why we do it. :D
@scatochef
@miley89 Give it a go, its damn addictive :)
But then again. I don't have the balls lol
@scatochef