jmcolberg.com— Joerg Colberg asked a bunch of photographers and photography bloggers: what makes a great photo? The answers, with examples, form a great informal discussion about art, photography, and curating
Mar 27, 2007View in Crawl 4
I think most photographs considered pieces of great art do one or both of the below things:1) convey a strong message in a subtle but meaningful way or2) make you say 'wow' due to technical details, such as great colours, contrasts, composition etc.Also, IMHO, the photos in the article have some great ideas but are really quite a way off the mark in terms of portraying them to the viewer.
You can't judge art, and every photo is interesting for a different reason. Rules don't work.And that dude with the girl in water creeps me the f**k out.
The linked photos and discussion are really unimpressive. Not a single one of those photos struck me as "great", and the expert commentary didn't help.As an amateur photographer, I would say the following characterize great photography.1. Capturing a specific moment in space and time. This is partly about the technique of composition, but also very much about being in the right place at the right time with a camera. And knowing where to point it. This may sound obvious, but requires a way of seeing the world that is very special. Basically, the choices here are to capture the world as it is, or to deliberately create a scene and then capture it.2. Manipulating light to create interest/beauty. Again, this sounds obvious, but it requires great skill. Light can be manipulated in much the same way that paint can be manipulated on a canvas. There are basically three ways that this can be done: 1) Deliberately cause the subject to emit/reflect light by e.g. shining a lamp on it, 2) Adjusting the way the camera processes the light that enters it (e.g. fast/slow shutter speed), 3) Manipulating the image sometime after the picture was taken (e.g. Photoshop).
@muybridge: Gorgeous photograph.A long time ago I went to a show at moma and got to see prints from his negatives - stunning. Darn you, you made me go access a, what are they called again, oh yea, a book.Porte Dauphine, fortifications, Paris 16, about 1913.
A photo isn't great until its an "Amazing HDR" photo submitted to Digg. Actually, I have to say that the whole "amazing fantastic photo" trend seems to be dying out on Digg, now its just useless top 10 lists like "Top 10 reason how to create Amazing HDR diggable photos"<a class="user" href="http://rudeandfunny.com" rel="nofollow">http://rudeandfunny.com</a>
twoodgeMar 28, 2007
I think most photographs considered pieces of great art do one or both of the below things:1) convey a strong message in a subtle but meaningful way or2) make you say 'wow' due to technical details, such as great colours, contrasts, composition etc.Also, IMHO, the photos in the article have some great ideas but are really quite a way off the mark in terms of portraying them to the viewer.
wildMar 28, 2007
You can't judge art, and every photo is interesting for a different reason. Rules don't work.And that dude with the girl in water creeps me the f**k out.
huntertvMar 28, 2007
STOP REMINDING ME OF THAT IMAGE!*reboxes having seen goatse and throws back into subconscious*
brianbernsMar 28, 2007
The linked photos and discussion are really unimpressive. Not a single one of those photos struck me as "great", and the expert commentary didn't help.As an amateur photographer, I would say the following characterize great photography.1. Capturing a specific moment in space and time. This is partly about the technique of composition, but also very much about being in the right place at the right time with a camera. And knowing where to point it. This may sound obvious, but requires a way of seeing the world that is very special. Basically, the choices here are to capture the world as it is, or to deliberately create a scene and then capture it.2. Manipulating light to create interest/beauty. Again, this sounds obvious, but it requires great skill. Light can be manipulated in much the same way that paint can be manipulated on a canvas. There are basically three ways that this can be done: 1) Deliberately cause the subject to emit/reflect light by e.g. shining a lamp on it, 2) Adjusting the way the camera processes the light that enters it (e.g. fast/slow shutter speed), 3) Manipulating the image sometime after the picture was taken (e.g. Photoshop).
thehansMar 28, 2007
That second creeps me out as well, especially since I don't know where his left hand is.
swellguy007Mar 28, 2007
Steve Perry - Former singer from the band Journey
roflmywaffleMar 29, 2007
um, definately not milk, and i "know what it represents..."
crash128Mar 29, 2007
@muybridge: Gorgeous photograph.A long time ago I went to a show at moma and got to see prints from his negatives - stunning. Darn you, you made me go access a, what are they called again, oh yea, a book.Porte Dauphine, fortifications, Paris 16, about 1913.
michelroseMay 7, 2007
Nice indeed. Hard to beleive.
crossersJul 19, 2008
I think good photo like good song, or just good episode of your life!<a class="user" href="http://www.shpe-sac.org">http://www.shpe-sac.org</a><a class="user" href="http://www.ocflex.com/">http://www.ocflex.com/</a> <a class="user" href="http://www.trgovinca.org">http://www.trgovinca.org</a><a class="user" href="http://www.chasr.org/">http://www.chasr.org/</a>
Closed AccountSep 8, 2008
The best mortgage rates, refinance, home loan, real estate, realty <a class="user" href="http://tophomemortgageloan.com">http://tophomemortgageloan.com</a>
masskurecMar 3, 2009
it is all about the photo<a class="user" href="http://xptweak.net">http://xptweak.net</a>
rudeandfunnyApr 22, 2010
A photo isn't great until its an "Amazing HDR" photo submitted to Digg. Actually, I have to say that the whole "amazing fantastic photo" trend seems to be dying out on Digg, now its just useless top 10 lists like "Top 10 reason how to create Amazing HDR diggable photos"<a class="user" href="http://rudeandfunny.com" rel="nofollow">http://rudeandfunny.com</a>