What makes a GOOD photographer

[aam1234]

Not sure about the link between consistency and commerciality.

In my mind, consistency means the ability to produce good results over and over, while being conscience and have the control over the variables that produce good results.

Pleasing the customer doesn't demonstrate consistency, even if done on a consistent basis.

[photosbyrowell]

Someone who knows how to communicate, a people person and professional

[peterst6906]

To me, there are an infinite number of possible photos that can be taken.

Some people grab a camera and snap away at everything. They aren't really photographers at all, they just use a camera to record or document different moments or places.

Then there are some who take photography and they start to discriminate. They find some level of personal vision and they manage to condense the infinite number of possibilities down into a smaller set of potential subjects based on what they like to shoot. By doing this I think someone goes from being a snapshooter to eventually being a good photographer. I think this includes a lot of professionals and some amateurs.

But, to me, the great photographers have wittled down the infinite number of possibilities into an even smaller group of conditions that suit their inner vision and they work so much at shooting it that they refine their technique into a personal style, something that is identifiable as theirs, not just as a copy of someone else.

These are the ones who can express why they shoot in just a few words and you can see the passion in their photography when you look at a group of their images. They have a continuous thread that runs through them.

Just my thoughts.

Regards,

Peter

[aam1234]

Wow Peter, this is deep.

Thank you.

[kevgermany]

Originally Posted by Unkl Buck

It's one thing to stop some amateur in their tracks. It's another to stop another fellow photographer in theirs. For me, receiving recognition or accolades from photographer friends means more. I think they appreciate it a lot more.

Agreed. However what I was trying to say is that, as in many other art forms, peer approval isn't always forthcoming - and it may only be with time that work becomes properly recognised.

Originally Posted by Unkl Buck

Allow me to define consistency for you in this scenario. Consistency is providing a great image that is posed, composed, exposed to produce an acceptable photo that a client would want to purchase and hang on their wall or show proudly to their friends.

Consistency is one thing I've found to be part of any successful business venture, no matter the industry. Consistency is key.

Take McDonald's or Wendy's or Burger King. You can travel from the east coast to the west coast and walk into a McD's, Wendy's or BK, and get the same exact hamburger all across the nation. Why? Consistency. We've come to expect it and know what we will get when we go there. I believe that once you've achieved that kind of consistency, you are oh, so close to being a great photographer.

Exactly - production line stuff. Not necessarily good, though...

Originally Posted by Unkl Buck

Can your clients or subjects ALWAYS say the same about you and your photography?

No - I'm too variable. Sometimes I make it, but not always... Some shots I look at and find it hard to believe I got it that good, others (many) are fit for nothing but the bin. I've done no studio work - yet, but I'm in the process of starting.

[Gbee]

How long is a piece of string?

I think one could write volumes on this topic, to start you'd need to define a few guidelines, pro/am, work/leisure, job/travel, motivation etc.

For instance one of the great photographers of our time is Ken Rockwell but I'll probably get banned for saying that because of his forum etiquette and non conformist, non PC attitudes. But he shows all the qualities for a great photographer, but he carries on a business and gets a lot of negative flak for that.

Galen Rowell was an inspiration to me with his gregarious enthusiasm, boundless energy, unending passion and childlike wonderment right up to his untimely death.

Joe Rosenthal was a brave combat photographer with a passion for his nation and was extolled for the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima for which he received the Pulitzer Prize ~ only to have lynch bobs after him because he had not in fact caught the first tiny battle insignia [Stars N Stripes] in one 'live shot'. His shot inspired a nation, it's one of the best shots of all time, IMO and all the better for its re-enactment. Yup, in my book Joe is right up there.

Who isn't a great photographer ~ deceitful lying Parisians, that's who. The decisive moment me ar*** and The Kiss and always carry a camera lying, Robert Doisneau forced by lawsuits to admit the truth ~ but not before hundreds or maybe million of young aspiring photographers had been deceived into thinking they too could to this ~ a myth.

At least some of the modern dismissed photographers were only trying to make war more horrifying ~ maybe in the fullness of time we'll see these in other light than we do now ....

Is the glamour photographer's Seychelles paid calender shoot a better product than the club night's glamour sessions? Who's the better photographer, Bailey 'casue he loved beautiful women or Lord Lichfield 'cause he loved the Queen?

Nay, I dunno at all with this question ...

Originally Posted by Fusion

How is a good photographer distiguished from a great photographer and for that matter what is a bad photographer What is the mark of a great photographer

I look at Photography as an art form.
This leaves me always looking at painters work and crossing that over to photographers.
I have seen a few modern photographers that study art and that apply it to their images.

" what makes a great photographer" Someone who inspires me to push my own boundaries.
Hmm think I'll use that as a signature.

[Fusion]

This is certainly not an easy question to answer (which is probably why I asked it), there are so many facets to it, as some of the answers here demonstrate. I am still mulling over an answer myself.

[pommie]

To me a great photographer is one that is willing to share their talent, technique and know how on forums like this, there are a lot of good photographers, especially with the present day camera's, even I have taken one or two shots I am proud to claim as mine but imho 'great' is about the person not the product.

Cheers David

[Athena]

Anytime you ask a question about good, great or bad you must be prepared for answers that vary quite a bit based on each individual's interpretation of those adjectives. It does depend greatly on each person's personal taste, subject matter preference, photography style etc.

While I am quite the fan of consistency, I think it also bears noting that consistently bland or unimaginative results are, at least for me, not impressive. American fast food chains are a perfect example of this.