I enjoy watching people, especially those making photos, and have mentally compiled some common traits many “amateur photographers” seem to share:
- While they may spot the obvious they often overlook the not so obvious;
- They seldom take time to observe the scene, understand the scene, before they began shooting;
- Even when drawn to a scene they seldom correctly utilize the strong elements of the scene;
- Their photos are often shot from the viewpoint of documenting the location, time or those present — as a historical record;
- If they know any of the general rules of photography they seldom show creativity in breaking them for more effective photos; and
- Even when they have an advanced camera with many professional options they almost always shoot in program or automatic modes (how many built-in flashes have you seen in almost broad daylight).
Am I wrong on these or can you add others?
You summed it up quite well Earl.
One thing you see here in LA quite often are open topped Hollywood tour buses filled with tourists. The driver will announce some landmark, and hands holding cameras will pop out all over the bus and just as quickly be pulled back in. All in unison.
I know these are visitors trying to bring a little piece of their trip home, and I don’t begrudge them that. Hell, I do it myself, but it’s still kind of funny to watch…
pj, yeah, I’ve both seen that and on occasion have done it. :-) Usually when I do it, it’s a last ditch effort and the whole time I’m telling myself there’s almost no chance a photo will be any good…yet, sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised.
* they never use the lens hood, instead leave it reversed on the lens
* they rarely print, and if so in bulk
Markus, two good ones. Thanks!
It bothers me that some “photographers” don’t get down to eye level with their subjects. We see the top of children’s heads all the time and their feet look tiny. This actually works well if done right, but most of the time it’s just bad.
Ken, your right. Most always shoot from the same perspective…standing eye level. But then I’ve also see a few, usually younger, who go to the extreme in the other direction and are doing some type of acrobatic dance while photographing.
I think you are right in some way, but then again different people take pictures for different reasons. When it comes to «serious» amateurs that know something about composition and the rule of thirds and so on, is that they don’t break them enough, but makes them into absolute rules. Otherwise the picture he is very nice. I like that the seagulls all look in different directions.
Otto, thanks. Yes, it’s a learning process to reach the point where you accept there are no “laws” of photography and the rules are only guidelines.
Having watched seagull behavior for about a zillion years, I find this image a little strange. Even if other gulls don’t initially see a piece of potential food, they’ll react very quickly when another bird does. They’ll fight over the fish. Or the bird finding it will fly away and the rest will chase him. Or maybe this is the alpha bird? No one else will challenge him? Who knows. But a good image, Earl.
What bothers me most about those who seem not too experienced with cameras is how they seem to care not one little bit about the light they’re shooting in. I’m not saying that we should all be “light chasers”, but pointing your camera into the sun at some iconic location just seems dumb. Even if you’re just documenting where you were, it isn’t going to work very well. Or taking the long, mildly strenuous walk to Delicate Arch in the morning – when the arch is totally in the shade – makes little sense to me. But people by the hundreds do just that. Every day.
Paul, I thought the behavior of these seagulls strange as well, which is what initially caught my attention. The other seagulls never challenged this one seagull for the small fish. All I can think is he must have put a serious ass-whooping on the others some time in the past. ;-)
I’m convinced many people don’t understand the basic principles of light and photography and could care less. When they get a blown out facing the sun photo or details lost in deep shadows photo they see it as a failure of their cameras.
I wonder if digital cameras have helped people see the relationship of light and photography to a greater extent due to the quicker feedback of digital?
How about “Getting too close to subjects higher on the food chain than you are.”? :-)
Cool shot Earl – and good observation.
Mark, Absolutely…I’ve seen it all too often — bears and alligators come to mind immediately.
Your comment also reminded me of the video recently on the news of the lion pawing and biting at the glass with the baby on the other side in “zebra stripes.” What were that kids parents thinking…even the best of glass and containment fails.
That is a gorgeous photograph. I particularly love the beautiful depth of field and the fabulous complimentary tones of orange and blue. Bravo!
Hi Martina, thanks.
excellent thoughts and a great photo to illiustrate
Thanks, I appreciate it, yz!
I think you’re right on, Earl. I enjoy this image as it represents well your thoughts.
Thanks, Monte
1 – using flash for EVERYTHING, including glass-covered framed prints!
2a – holding cameras at arms’ length in front of them
2b – if they have a viewfinder, not using it
3 – centering all their subjects
4a – taking photos of people from about twenty feet away so you can hardly make out their faces
5b – not noting the shadows obscuring features
.. I could go on.