Over the past couple of weeks or so I have seen a lot of photos posted or linked to in the "Deserving of a Vote" thread (some good - some not so good IMHO).
Perhaps a good photograph is like beauty, "It is in the eye of the beholder." That said, it occurred to me that perhaps a thread on what we think makes a good photograph, along with an example, might be interesting. So have at it. Let's hear what you think makes a good photograph and give an example. Rmember, if it is not your photo please do not embed it in your post. Use a link to it only.
Board index ‹ PBase ‹ Show and Tell ‹ What makes a good photograph?
Show and Tell
What makes a good photograph?
16 posts • Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
- Posts: 810
Mon Jan 19, 2004 7:30 pm
Wow, Chuck, you read my mind! I almost started this very same thread, but decided against it since I had already started the other one...didn't want to be board hog. 
Glad you did this!
In general, I won't vote for any photo that has bad focus, poor exposure, or is over-sharpened or has obvious photoshopping, no matter how good it might have been otherwise. I look for something unusual as well, not just the run of the mill cute kitty or nice sunset or mountain vista...too many of those already.
For example, here is a mountain scene I do think is different and very artistic:
http://www.pbase.com/image/2532565
And this one is good in my opinion because of the path which makes you long to walk down it...really draws you in:
http://www.pbase.com/image/21652717
And I don't find many portraits or candids to be interesting unless the faces and setting appear to have a story to tell. This is an example of one that I do think is excellent:
http://www.pbase.com/image/1970708
And here is another great candid...it has a lot of technical elements which make it good, including color and composition, but it also strikes the emotions and shows the essence of childhood in one shot:
http://www.pbase.com/image/2419387
Speaking of good composition and compatible colors, this one struck me as excellent because it wasn't a naturally beautiful scene...the photographer found the right place and moment to make a basement beautiful. Contrary to some comments left beneath it, the industrial light and railing add to the image for me, don't distract, because they tell what this place really is, which makes it all the more amazing:
http://www.pbase.com/image/6456946
Here is another example of making art from the mundane:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25143139
Animal pics are a dime a dozen so I look for that special something, like in this great shot:
http://www.pbase.com/image/3227697
...as is this one by Elizabeth Glass, though lacking some of the technical perfection of the first (the color is a bit bluish):
http://www.pbase.com/image/25051043
Basically, what I look for is something different from run-of-the-mill, good composition, good cropping, good color and tone, an artistic view of something mundane and not considered beautiful or interesting on its own.
I do not vote for photos of scenes, no matter how beautiful they may be, that are merely there for the shooting. A gorgeous garden or lake or mountain vista is already a work of "art" ...naturally. It's too easy to take a record snapshot of it and get a beautiful photograph. Nice to look at, but not a great photo to me. If you want a great photo of an already great scene, try an unusual angle, or stormy weather instead of pretty sunshine, etc... then you might have a great photo.
Boy, I could go on forever. But I'll let someone else talk for a bit.
Glad you did this!
In general, I won't vote for any photo that has bad focus, poor exposure, or is over-sharpened or has obvious photoshopping, no matter how good it might have been otherwise. I look for something unusual as well, not just the run of the mill cute kitty or nice sunset or mountain vista...too many of those already.
For example, here is a mountain scene I do think is different and very artistic:
http://www.pbase.com/image/2532565
And this one is good in my opinion because of the path which makes you long to walk down it...really draws you in:
http://www.pbase.com/image/21652717
And I don't find many portraits or candids to be interesting unless the faces and setting appear to have a story to tell. This is an example of one that I do think is excellent:
http://www.pbase.com/image/1970708
And here is another great candid...it has a lot of technical elements which make it good, including color and composition, but it also strikes the emotions and shows the essence of childhood in one shot:
http://www.pbase.com/image/2419387
Speaking of good composition and compatible colors, this one struck me as excellent because it wasn't a naturally beautiful scene...the photographer found the right place and moment to make a basement beautiful. Contrary to some comments left beneath it, the industrial light and railing add to the image for me, don't distract, because they tell what this place really is, which makes it all the more amazing:
http://www.pbase.com/image/6456946
Here is another example of making art from the mundane:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25143139
Animal pics are a dime a dozen so I look for that special something, like in this great shot:
http://www.pbase.com/image/3227697
...as is this one by Elizabeth Glass, though lacking some of the technical perfection of the first (the color is a bit bluish):
http://www.pbase.com/image/25051043
Basically, what I look for is something different from run-of-the-mill, good composition, good cropping, good color and tone, an artistic view of something mundane and not considered beautiful or interesting on its own.
I do not vote for photos of scenes, no matter how beautiful they may be, that are merely there for the shooting. A gorgeous garden or lake or mountain vista is already a work of "art" ...naturally. It's too easy to take a record snapshot of it and get a beautiful photograph. Nice to look at, but not a great photo to me. If you want a great photo of an already great scene, try an unusual angle, or stormy weather instead of pretty sunshine, etc... then you might have a great photo.
Boy, I could go on forever. But I'll let someone else talk for a bit.
- Posts: 575
Mon Jan 19, 2004 8:10 pm
I hate to say it but what I think is great varies depending to my mood. The most stellar cityscape photo doesn't appeal to me when I'm in the mood to see some cliffs for climbing. Likewise the stunning porttraits/people shots don't do anything and get clicked over when I'm not in a people mood. If I had to make a safe rule what I consinder good would involve some sort of light play and color. That and shiny stuff. 'cause one must embrace the inner raccoon at all times 
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/thresholdprod
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/thresholdprod
- Posts: 231
Re: What makes a good photograph?
Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:57 pm
In the simplist possible terms, a good photograph is one
which communicates with clarity, directness, and impact.
CJ
http://www.pbase.com/cjmorgan/
which communicates with clarity, directness, and impact.
CJ
http://www.pbase.com/cjmorgan/
- Posts: 325
Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:07 pm
I am not a professional at all, but it seems some pictures just grab my eye, make me look.
Sometimes it's the subject, lighting, colors or angle.
Or the patience to take such a clear good shot of a difficult subject.
Alberto posted a link to the insect gallery --- those pictures grabbed my attention...
http://www.pbase.com/image/17455198/medium
Sometimes it's the subject, lighting, colors or angle.
Or the patience to take such a clear good shot of a difficult subject.
Alberto posted a link to the insect gallery --- those pictures grabbed my attention...
http://www.pbase.com/image/17455198/medium
- Posts: 929
Tue Jan 20, 2004 3:53 am
Good: satisfactory in quality. quantity, or degree; excellent...
Interesting: engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity: an interesting book.
Interesting: engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity: an interesting book.
Chuck
- Posts: 231
Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:29 am
Photographer Freeman Patterson once talked
about the making of images in terms
"dynamic simplicity."
It is true that the work of a photographer is to
etch out from the chaos of a scene that which
yields an image of visual simplicity and order.
Yet if this is taken to the extreme, the
image made is so simple that it is, well,
just boring.
And so, in an effort to make "good images"
a photographer will try simplify all of
the elements being composed, but not
so drastically that all that remains is
just deadly boring.
A balance needs to be found -- simplified,
but not overly so.... dynamic simplicity.
CJ
http://www.pbase.com/cjmorgan
about the making of images in terms
"dynamic simplicity."
It is true that the work of a photographer is to
etch out from the chaos of a scene that which
yields an image of visual simplicity and order.
Yet if this is taken to the extreme, the
image made is so simple that it is, well,
just boring.
And so, in an effort to make "good images"
a photographer will try simplify all of
the elements being composed, but not
so drastically that all that remains is
just deadly boring.
A balance needs to be found -- simplified,
but not overly so.... dynamic simplicity.
CJ
http://www.pbase.com/cjmorgan
- Posts: 810
Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:39 am
Here is a screenshot of the all-time popular photos just now. Let's look at why these are getting votes...what makes them so good.
1. The ape's expression tells a story, is unusual, the composition and crop is great, and the picture is technically good.
2. The puffin with its three fish is unusual, colorful, cute so it elicits a pleasant emotional response, and the photo is technically good as well.
3. The man in the shadows has a face full of character, the photo sets a mood...a rather dark one. We wonder about this man and what he's thinking. The contrast puts emphasis on his face. And technically it's good as well.
4. Muted overall neutral color lets the forms stand out and carry the image. The compostion is good, and the sepia and mist create an atmosphere of mystery. The lack of sails suggests dead calm...maybe death itself. We are curious about this ship.
5. The mountains of Afghanistan shot from a plane is one of my favorite photos on PBase. Outstanding composition with the bands of two main colors, the rugged shapes, the plane telling the story. This says that despite the war and the harshness of that land, there is beauty here, and quiet majesty. The war will end, the people will die and give birth, but these mountains will stand for millenia unaffected by human events. The heavenly mists suggest hope as well. Not to mention that it's an unusual photo for sure...one you seldom see or get a chance to take yourself!
6. The fence has great composition drawing you into the picture, compatible muted colors, a dramatic sky (sure beats boring old sunny-day-blue). Your eyes follow this simple fence to a brooding storm...there is a foreboding here which creates tension in this normally peaceful bland pastoral scene.
7. Composition, color, lighting. Those three biggies make this a great photo IMO.
8. Creativity is the key here, along with emphasis on pure form. Talk about making art of the most mundane things. This is an exercise in seeing...a real masterpiece IMO.
If you show a photo or link, how about telling us WHY you think it's good...it will help us analyze the qualities we want to put into our own photos.
- Posts: 929
Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:05 am
Chuck
- Posts: 68
Tue Jan 20, 2004 1:48 pm
1. Timing - Be it a Bresson-like 'decisive moment', or a more subtle capture like the expression/look on a portraits subject or the passing of twighlight to night
2. Lighting - Quite simply it can turn the mundane into the beautiful. It's our paint and pencils. Photography = Writing with light.
3. Composition - So often what we exlcude from the frame as well as include makes or breaks a pic'.
Just one of these three done well makes for a decent photo. Get two of 'em and you'll have a very good shot. Get all three in one photo and you've got a really great shot.
Now combine all three with a compelling subject, 'perfect' exposure, and 'perfect' presentation - an expertly produced 'hand' print for example - and you have a truely unique and captivating image that virtually everybody will appreciate.
2. Lighting - Quite simply it can turn the mundane into the beautiful. It's our paint and pencils. Photography = Writing with light.
3. Composition - So often what we exlcude from the frame as well as include makes or breaks a pic'.
Just one of these three done well makes for a decent photo. Get two of 'em and you'll have a very good shot. Get all three in one photo and you've got a really great shot.
Now combine all three with a compelling subject, 'perfect' exposure, and 'perfect' presentation - an expertly produced 'hand' print for example - and you have a truely unique and captivating image that virtually everybody will appreciate.
- Posts: 147
Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:15 pm
Freshman year of Art, Studio and Design class. Our teacher told us the four or five basic rules of art. Damned if I can remember; can others that know what I'm talking about fill in?
1. Composition
2. Balance
3. Color (or contrast for B/W)
4. ...
5. Flow?
1. Composition
2. Balance
3. Color (or contrast for B/W)
4. ...
5. Flow?
- Posts: 384
- Posts: 231
Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:54 am
pstewart wrote:If you show a photo or link, how about telling us WHY you think it's good...it will help us analyze the qualities we want to put into our own photos.
Over the years, "kill the clutter" has become my mantra while shooting. And
while I don't actually go around muttering under my breath "kill the clutter,
kill the clutter", nevertheless I would perhaps say it's very rare that I shoot
anything without thinking of ways to minimize the clutter of any given scene.
This is an image I made of my two nephews over the recent holidays. They'd just
received these paint guns for Christmas and were anxious to go out and use them.
Part of "kill the clutter" for this shot was getting the boys away from the backyard
(which was just littered with all sorts of junk -- a visual mess) and otherwise
into a neighboring field which would have less visual distractions.
Additionally, a relatively wide open aperture was employed to once again tune
down the potential distractions of the background elements. Consequently,
while the field and trees are still parts of this image, nevertheless what most
stands out is what's most in focus -- the boys themselves.
Part of what makes a good image is our ability to sucessfully direct the viewer's
attention to specifically what we want them to see. "Kill the clutter" is one of the
main ways we can achieve this. And picking a less distracting background to begin
with and using a wide aperture which blurs background distractions are two
practical ways to "kill the clutter", thus helping us to guide the viewer's attention
to precisely where we want it to go.
CJ
16 posts • Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
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