10 Things I've Learned as a Tog Noob

I thought I'd throw out into the public arena (which is already saturated with such posts) a post about being a very new and moderately skilled photographer - a label I still feel a little cheeky giving myself.

With the advent of digital, and cheap but decent, DSLR cameras, it is very true that every man and his dog is a photographer. There now exists a huge divide between those professional photographers who have studied the craft all their life and do some good work, and those who recently picked up a decent camera and think they have a good eye. There is also a lengthy spectrum between those two groups.

Of course, lest anybody think I consider myself near the expert end, let me dispel anything like that immediately. On the spectrum I'm a noob. I've taken a few decent snaps, but I have a ways to go before I get noticed (if ever).

But I know what I like, and what I don't. I reckon I know to some degree what makes a good photograph, and doesn't. I think everyone has a little of that talent. We are all familiar with "experts" who may have all the knowledge in the world about a certain subject, but really have no clue. One may have studied the Masters and know everything there is to know about art and its history and fancy themselves an artist. But cant draw a decent stick figure.
One may know all the techniques of certain dance moves, but not have a rhythmic bone in one's body, and could never be a dancer. So it is with photography. There are container loads of fancy equipment one can spend a fortune on, tetrabytes of information online about the latest techniques and editing tricks, and literally billions of examples of excellent photos online and in libraries that you can attempt to emulate. But taking advantage of all those things still doesn't guarantee you can take a decent photograph.

Of course, what constitutes a "decent photograph"  is the subject of much debate, too. There are those who apparently see themselves as arbiters of the debate. But photographs are like music. How many times have you watched American Idol and asked yourself if the judges just heard the same screeching thing that you did? How many times have you been in the car when a song comes on and while you're reaching for the off button, you passenger is reaching to increase the volume? Everyone has an opinion about music, and photographs. And we know the adage about opinions.

So perhaps that might be Number 1 on my list of things I've learned as a noob tog.

1. Artistic merit is in the eye of the beholder. And I'm pretty sure there are no rules whatsoever. Browse flickr, for example, for a few minutes and this becomes obvious. I've taken photos that I was sure would be winners, only to have them receive mediocre (or no) responses. So too, I've thrown what I consider to be sad failures online to rave reviews. Go figure. The ultimate arbiter must surely be whoever is looking at the photo. So a photo may not make it into Life Magazine's greatest; but it might make a great canvas for somebody enraptured by it.

2. Don't ever fall into the trap of thinking you know people. "People" are those human beings who are not you. Or like you. We've all said it. People are idiots (we're "surrounded" by them, remember?). People are strange. People suck.

I reckon I do know people, tho. But I take nothing for granted because one of the things "people" will constantly do is surprise you. In good ways and bad.

Some people are natural models, and it has nothing to do with how "attractive", sexy or thin they are. It has everything to do with how much soul they have, and their ability to express it. It's fun to walk through the mall "people watching" - deciding who would, or would not, look good on film. Sometimes it's surprising, but unfortunately most often you don't get the chance to test it.

3. We are all victims of several generations of indoctrination. Thin is still in. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with almost-subliminal messages that tell us "models" (both men and women) should be wafer thin, and any woman bigger than a size 6 is "fat"! Never mind that not only does that not reflect reality, it actually reflects a very warped obsession plaguing mankind. Never mind that most of the models in magazines could clearly do with a good meal or three. Never mind that most people prefer looking at real women with real curves (which is a bit subjective, but you get the idea). What's with 70% of the clothes on racks in stores being made for only 40% of the population? Never mind that most reasonable people shake their heads every time a stick-thin model teeters down a runway on legs threatening to snap under her MASSIVE 42kg body.

It is a sad commentary on society that women everywhere think they're fat. When the fashion industry calls a size 12 girl "plus size", you know we're in trouble. Often "make me look good" really means "make me look thin". That's a bit sad.

Perhaps this whole fiasco can be summed up in the furore created by this photo published in a magazine recently. How dare she?







4. Skin has colour, and blemishes. It's probably true that if you're looking at a photo in a magazine or on a billboard, it's been heavily edited. Even the ones that are supposedly of celebrities "au natural" - they've probably been edited to make them look worse! 

I don't like photos of people that have been so over-edited that the models/subjects look plastic. I don't like skin that is so pink and blurred its mesmerising - in a bad way. But, of course, this is subjective too. I'm not opposed to removing a few distracting spots or a little de-wrinkling (which may be as bad as making skin look plastic), but there's a line. And I get to draw it.

This from the Professional Portrait software Facebook page, and a good example, IMO, of (way!) over processing.


5. Composition is King. More powerful than technical quality. More powerful than the cost or brand of your equipment. More powerful than any editing. The first thing you see in a photograph is the composition, and it's probably the thing that either turns you off, or draws you in. Composition is like rhythm. You either have it, or you don't. To some degree you can learn it but when we talk about a photographer having "an eye", generally that means an innate knack for composition. IMO many potentially good photographs are mediocre at best because of the composition. It's another thing that is a bit subjective in that while you might find some variance in what is considered excellent composition, you will probably find general agreement as to what is not good composition. And just like the guy on the dance floor busting some awesome moves who doesn't realise everyone's laughing at him 'cause the dude can't dance to save himself, composition is something that some simply take for granted. To their detriment.

6. Sex still sells. Tag your photos with "boobs" or "naked" on Flickr and you're guaranteed to get more views. Even when the thumbnail suggests it's a photo of a meadow, some people will view the larger version just in case there are some boobs hidden in the trees somewhere. The art v. pornography debate is alive and well. The Interweb has given a whole new platform to both. And it's dramatically increased the spectrum between the two.

I love the argument. It's fascinating to see people on their high moral horses thinking they know best.

I have been thinking about what it means to push the boundaries in photography, in order to try it. Unfortunately it seems to come down to simply being more graphic in the violence or sex fields. Otherwise, all the other boundaries have already been pushed. I think.

7. "If you find a job you love, you'll never have to work a day in your life." That's an oldy but a goody that's been on the radio lately. I love what I do, and want to do more of it.

8. Most people are not fascinated by photos like I am. Maybe some are just interested in different subjects, but some of the people dear to me just don't care. I can be fascinated by an incredible photo and they're like, meh whatever. Or worse, that's nice. And I'm like....what??? How can you not be dumbstruck by those lines...and look at that expression...and oh, that bokeh!!!


But alas. They really don't care. They don't get my fascination. They don't share my passion. Of course, I think cats and dogs are stupid and pointless, so, go figure.

9. I still love people. When I was a minister, the best part of that vocation was the people. When I was a bank teller, the only good part of that job was the people. And now that I get to spend a good part of my days looking through a viewfinder, the absolute best part of that is the people I see in there.

I was thinking the other day. In the space of a couple of weeks I had taken photos of a stage show, the Christchurch earthquake memorial service, my son's class having fun at the beach, a gorgeous bride, two beautiful women in the (very) late stages of pregnancy, and another soon to be gorgeous bride and her fiance (and cute little son).

There are not many jobs/hobbies that would put you in close contact with such a variety of people. I'm still finding my way a little...I need to be a bit more assertive and a lot more creative. But I'm getting there.

Every now and then, tho, a photoshoot will fall flat. Maybe it just didn't go the way I expected; sometimes your subject/s ust aren't into it; sometimes I feel rushed (I hate being rushed at a photoshoot); sometimes the dynamic isn't working; sometimes (often) I get the lighting wrong. Sometimes the chemistry is just wrong. Chalk it up to experience and move on (I tend to dwell on it and beat myself up over it).

10. Sometimes...often...usually, the image in my head looks nothing like the image on the computer screen. Which is often annoying, but every now and then it looks better. I've talked before about the search for the perfect image. It's nice seeing great photos but I'm sure it's a whole lot more satisfying taking great photos.

Fairly regularly I will "see" an image in my head. It might be while driving down a street, or walking in Hagley Park. Do all photographs (or paintings or sculptures) start as an image in the artist's head? Ideally, I can at some point transfer that image into a photograph with a bit of merit. Sadly, oftten I keep on driving and never get back to it. Quite often I'll think that's a cool setting but it needs someone in it.

Don't get me wrong, tho. There's something to be said for the photo that randomly presents itself before you. I've taken a fair few photos over the last two years. As far as the photos I've set up go, this is probably my all time favourite. As to the random shots, this is still my favourite.