What makes a good photo?

Arsey

Arsey

Arsey

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I want to start to try and take some good photos but in your opinion, what makes a "good" photo.

I know a decent camera/no blur/image in focus etc but if I was taking a picture of the landscape, what would I look for? What technique for close up shots?

Any advise on a good photo is welcome :)
Thanks
 
There's a few pointers in the sticky, including a link to a tutorial online. For me, you've either got an eye for a good shot or not, I just walk round until I see something i like a bit then work out how to frame it, composition etc, then make sure it's technically good.

I'm not sure what other people's advice will be, either you can pick the shots or not, not just obvious things like sunsets etc but the less obvious things that turn out well.

People will point you in the direction of the rule of thirds, making sure you expose your shots right etc but it doesn't matter if you can't pick the good scenes
 
Well for me its not the technicality of the picture. Its the moment and the style in which you have captured it. If you break it down into catagories you will get many different replies.

The rule of thirds is obviously one but dont think you're making a bad photograph by breaking this rule.

Great photographs rely on the type of exposure you have used wether this is to naturally expose it all or, to give it some over ex or under ex to suit the subject.

Playing with your depth of field is the easiest way to get to your "perfect photo"
For a long time you will experiment trying to capture many different objects at shallow depths of field.

An experiment to try is to set up your camera at one location and see how many different styles of capture you can achieve on the same frame. After trying many different camera tweaks and settings look through your work and really look for potential for a great idea ( It doesnt have to be there at first. You may just notice a missed opertunity )

I hope this helps.
 
Fstop11 said:
Well for me its not the technicality of the picture. Its the moment and the style in which you have captured it. If you break it down into catagories you will get many different replies.
Click to expand...

Indeed, in fact didn't someone post a link to a spoof forum where folk made c&c type posts about classic photos and basically ripped the photographers (Ansell Adams, Cartier-Bresson etc) to shreds. Just goes to prove that there are no set rules.
 
rpstewart said:
Indeed, in fact didn't someone post a link to a spoof forum where folk made c&c type posts about classic photos and basically ripped the photographers (Ansell Adams, Cartier-Bresson etc) to shreds. Just goes to prove that there are no set rules.
Click to expand...

I think it just proves people are full of bs and will let it out to appear knowledgeable.

In my opinion, to break the rules in a way that works you first have to learn to follow them and master them. After that your own inspiration will do the rest.

Walking around looking for a shot is perfectly ok, many photos are opportunistic and you could have never set them up. However, dont be afraid to think create a situation for your photography and put in your ideas. Studio sessions are all about planning, props, spending time on lighting, experience, communication....

Its hard to talk in general terms about what a good photo is, because its an intangible quality and the goalposts move depending on styles, people's perceptions, fashions, culture, technical advances, etc.
 
rpstewart said:
Indeed, in fact didn't someone post a link to a spoof forum where folk made c&c type posts about classic photos and basically ripped the photographers (Ansell Adams, Cartier-Bresson etc) to shreds. Just goes to prove that there are no set rules.
Click to expand...

Can you remember the name of that forum? I'd like to read it!
 
It's quite simple. A good photo is one which grabs your attention, and keeps your attention so well that you want to explore the whole photo over and over.

Most people just capture a scene, where as a good photo conveys a story or emotion and gets your imagination going.

Sharpness and exposure and even good composition are just technicalities.
 
Fstop11 said:
Playing with your depth of field is the easiest way to get to your "perfect photo" I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

As usual Fstop11 is spot on with his advice!

I'd suggest you always take "note" of what you tried to achieve. Burn all photos to CD/DVD including all the bad ones which you might normally discard. And, I'd suggest you pay as much attention, or even more to the bad shots as you do to the good ones. When you look back on your shots after a few years you will surprise yourself just how far you will have advanced.

When you can "think" depth of field you will be well on your way!
 
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