Category Archives: Discussion Starter

Post to start discussion on all sorts of topics.

Make or Take a photo?

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Do you take a photo or make a photo? This one has had me puzzled for quite some time. I have always said that I take a photo. Since I have been more absorbed with all things photographic, I have heard people say they make photos. To make a photograph certainly has a more romantic notion, as opposed to taking it.

Obviously the most famous quote with regard to this dilemma of mine is from the old landscape master himself…

You don’t take a photograph, you make it. – Ansel Adams

Hmmm. Now, do we take it as gospel because a so called master of photography say it is so? Obviously not, after all, it is just his opinion. But there may be some truth in the matter if you look at it from an artistic point of view, which I am quite sure Mr Adams would have.

Champion Pony
Made or Taken???

My understanding of the artistic side of photography is quite limited, as I am sure some of the readers know. But I do know that there is a lot more discussion about composition and lighting. Texture and form. Leading lines and the rule of thirds. So maybe to make a photo, you are making it conform to some rule or rules. To take a photo is just like it sounds. Like a thief in the night, you are grabbing an image, quickly, with out thought or preparation. An imprint of light on sensor or film with out calculation or premeditation. Most people don’t sit around snap shots pontificating (word of the week it seems) its meaning or form.

Do the artistic people make photographs and people like me take photographs? I look forward to your thoughts as usual.

Purchasing advice for newbies.

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So, you want to buy a new camera. You think you might like to get into the world of digital SLR photography. You have seen them reasonably cheap at local camera stores. But, before you do, you think it is a good idea to ask for some advice at a photography forums you have seen on the interweb. Is this a good idea? Yes and no. What? hang on, yes AND no?

Lets talk about the yes first. Yes, because talking to people about a topic they are interested in will nearly always teach you something about that particular topic. They will usually have quite a bit of experience. I say usually, because the interweb is full of experts, or so called experts. Some of the suggestions I have seen on photography forums have been bordering on insanity. More on that in a bit. It is also a good idea because people will have experience with a wide range of gear. Different brands, different levels of equipment and differing skill sets. Which leads me onto the NO arguement.

©Leicanon®

Do you really need Leica on a Canon?, originally uploaded by norbography.


No, it isn’t a good idea. After what I have said for the YES case, you might be wondering why I would say there are negatives to asking the questions you want answered. Quite simply, there is a very good chance you will be getting advice off someone who is far more interested in photography than you might be. Or you might be as keen as mustard, but someone who owns a digital SLR and uses it at weddings and parties starts handing out advice, when they never take their camera out of Auto mode.

People need to weigh up the advice they are getting, and even ask the people they are discussing it with what their level of photographic skill and experience is. Time and time again, I have seen people told to get X lens and Y camera because that’s what the person giving the advice has got or used. This doesn’t mean the person asking for help will get the same use out of said piece of equipment. Why a learner needs a full framed camera that shoots 10 frames per second and the latest L series prime lens is beyond me. For people unsure of how far they will go in photography, I always advise them to grab a cheap second camera and lens, and see if the bug bites. They can always upgrade later. But if you tell someone to go out and get the latest and greatest camera and lens, camera especially, what happens in 6 months if they find they just aren’t into photography like they thought they would be? They will lose a stack of cash on the camera body, after all, it has probably been superseded, and they might get their money back on the lens if they are lucky.

I am sure some people will argue, but I am glad this is the approach I took. I bought a second hand Canon 300D and a couple of kit lenses. About 6 months later I found I loved photography, had some spare change laying around, so sold the 300D at a small loss, and upgraded to a 30D. The photography bug has since buried itself deep inside my brain and I have bought and sold all sorts of gear.

So before you go off asking for advice, find out who you are talking to. If they are rampant gear heads, it might be best to temper what they say. If they are people who bought a DSLR because Uncle Bob told them it would make them better photographers, a grain of salt may be needed. Try and get a cross section of views and it might make things just a little bit clearer.

Good luck. 🙂

Who would you like to know more about?

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Well it seems the interviews are quite popular, the taffic has spiked this week with the release of 4 interviews, so I am happy to do some more. What I would like to know is who else can I interview? I am pretty keen to have a chat to David Hobby from the Strobst’s Blog, but trying to contact him is proving a little difficult. Any other suggestions?

Shooting local or somewhere new?

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What is easier?

I find it easier to shoot new places, as I am seeing them with a new eye. But I was wondering today, do people find their local area easier to take photos of? The only reason I can think of is that most people know their local area very well. They now how to get access to areas that outsiders may not. They have the inside knowledge. You also live close, so you can access your area at any time. See the photo below. I doubt many visitors would wander up the narrow track to get to this old light house in the dead of night.

Ghost

But is there anything better for a photographer than getting out of a car or plane or bus and stepping into a completely new environment? When ever I travel, I get a tingling sense of excitement, wondering what new things I will see. A new place gives you a child like view of the world. Seeing things for the 1st time.Wondering whats around the next corner.

The Metropolis that is Tilpa.

I wonder, is it like this for all photographers?

$25,000 for this???

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This (click here) is this years winner of the Australian National Portrait prize. I ask you to have a look at the rest of the gallery, and someone please explain why that photo is the rightful winner over shots like David Sandlson’s shot of Len Green or John Cann and his father by Hugh Stewart? I will take part of a rant I put on one internet forum and plonk it in here to give you some idea of how I am thinking.

With regards to your opening sentence N, me being the proud little philistine that I am, I have to ask. Do you wonder why people the likes of my good self think that the art fraternity are a bunch of pretentious #$@&! when photos like the one I linked to above, win a prize worth $25,000, when the good majority of people think it is a steaming pile of #*!%? There are so many other entries in the comp that are so much better, and not just in my eyes, in every single person I have asked today. Whilst ever the chardy sipping tools are saying that is the best photo and the rest of us don’t understand why, art will never make inroads imho.

Really, I don’t understand it. Can some explain? I always thought portraits where supposed to engage the subject. Make a connection. Maybe it is why I cant take a portrait to save myself! To me, that photo is no more than a family snap shot. No offence meant to the photographer, I hope he enjoys the $25k.

Panning for gold.

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The worst part of photography for me is coming home with a 4 gig card full of photos. Then having to plough through them trying to find the good ones. Being the heavy handed oaf that I am with the shutter button, I usually get 2 or 3 shots of the same thing. Then to come home and plough through them in LightRoom certainly takes some of the enjoyment out of photography. I wonder if that is why I have been enjoying film of late.

Anyone else hat that part of the process, or are you happy sitting at a desk sorting through photos?

So, you have a fancy camera, can you photograph my wedding?

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Who has heard words to that effect? I wonder if it had the same effect on you as it did me? See, I am not a huge fan of portrait photography. Not being the best people person doesn’t help at all. Landscapes, macros, sunrise/sunsets all seem easier than trying to photograph people. Its a bit of a bugger really, because it seems like that is where the dollars are. I have photographed one wedding, and I doubt I will do another. It is very stressful. This is one couples big day, and you don’t want to stuff it up. I know all about that. We took the cheap route with our wedding photographer, and the results weren’t very good at all. You get what you pay for it seems.

What about other portrait work? Well just recently I was asked to take some photos of a friends two daughters. “No problems” I said with out thinking. It took a while, but eventually, it was organised. I will be honest and say it was a sleepless night beforehand. I don’t know why I worried, I wasn’t being paid, and they live a few streets away, so it isn’t like it couldn’t be done again if I completely stuffed it up.

As it turned out, I really enjoyed it. I learnt a hell of a lot and the photos didn’t turn out to badly either.

The GirlsThe Girls.

This shoot has really helped my confidence. The girls mum loved lots of the photos. I was happy to Photoshop them to get all the types of photos she was after, and she got them printed up before christmas for some of the relatives. Apparently they all loved them as well. So maybe there is a future in this portrait type stuff. I imagine it must be easier with people you know, but I am actually looking forward to doing it again to see if I can put into practise what I learnt on that day.

So, have you heard those words before, “Can you photograph my wedding/birthday/children?” and how did you handle it?

Photographers on the other side of the camera

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Why is it that a lot of photographers don’t like having their photos taken? I know I don’t. I don’t mind the occasional self portrait, but having other people take my photo makes me uncomfortable. Is it a control thing? Is it that I am 20kgs over weight? Is it that I have a face like a dropped pie?

Fade to Black (PSD)

Do other photographers have the same thoughts? Are you comfortable in front of a camera, instead of hiding behind it? Does the camera love you baby, yeah! Maybe the people that take a lot of portrait shots are more comfortable than those who don’t.

When the timing is right.

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Big Pete, originally uploaded by norbography.

Are you a gear whore seemed to stir up plenty of conversation on a couple of photo forums and Flickr groups I posted it on. It was mention in one discussion that no matter the gear, if you managed to capture what Cartier Breson called the “decisive moment”, it would make for a good photo. The shot above is one time I have managed to do exactly that. Pete is a friend of a friend, who I have only met 2 or 3 times, but this photo captured him perfectly. The boy can giggle. This shot was taken with one of my old film cameras, a Nikon FE with a Sigma 24 f/2.8 lens. Shot under pretty ordinary lighting, it captures Pete having one of those moments where you just let it all hang out. We had just all been told a rather dirty joke that obviously tickled Pete’s fancy. Although the photo isn’t technically great, the content more than makes up for it. I get a bigger buzz out of this sort of photo than some technically great shot or some arty shot that I fluked.

Love to hear peoples thoughts.