what kind are you mostly?

**turbulentwheat** · 19-03-2010 01:19

I've tried creating a poll but I must be doing something wrong because it won't let me. Anyway, here's the long way round.

I've noticed that although most of us are a mix of everything there does seem to be two main types of photographer, whether consciously or not. Reading through some of the comments and favourites in the monthly competition I couldn't help but notice that there are people or public photographers (shots that would appeal to the masses or general public) and photographers photographers (shots that specifically attract other photographers). Abit along the lines of the judges'choice and the public's choice.

Which one do you think you are? Or only for yourself? Ideally I'd love to be both!

**Dave_Cox** · 19-03-2010 06:11

Which one do you think you are? Or only for yourself? Ideally I'd love to be both!

Neither. I enjoy taking photos, no need to analyse any further.........

**AlanW** · 19-03-2010 08:13

It's a bit like choosing a Birthday or Christmas card, its an extension of our personalities and says more about ourselves than anything else. Simply, you are what you photograph . . . so just do what comes naturally.

Me? I don't do cards :-)

**Overread** · 19-03-2010 10:43

I suspect for most it even varies when they take or edit the shot. They might know a judge/copetition and know that it demends a certain look to do well so they go out and shoot thet certain look for that comp - however the rest of their work might be very free and different from what would do well in the competition.

As for me no idea what I shoot like - I guess myself - but I've no idea

**JacquiGrafton** · 19-03-2010 11:21

Strange question ... and I'm not sure it can be answered.
I shoot a wide range of stuff for many different reasons.
Photography is a passion and I do it for my own personal satisfaction – to grow and learn.

**sey** · 19-03-2010 11:23

It's a bit like choosing a Birthday or Christmas card, its an extension of our personalities and says more about ourselves than anything else. Simply, you are what you photograph . . . so just do what comes naturally.

Me? I don't do cards :-)

Yes.

but she does cards [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

**BigWill** · 19-03-2010 12:11

I'm not entirely sure that I'd agree with your summation "A bit along the lines of the judges'choice and the public's choice." Pumpkin? I don't think you can neatly categorize photographers into those two neat groups and indeed I think Damien (and any other judges for that matter) might be slightly miffed that a "judges choice" also couldn't be a "people's choice" as it suggests that they are "stuck" within a rigid mindset for judging images which is "out of touch" with what a "photographer's photographer" would find appealing?

No, I think it is more a case that some photographers try to adhere strictly to the rule format for the competition whereas others take a more liberal approach and adhere to the principle that they photograph what pleases them and if it happens to loosely fit within the competition guidelines, well and good, but if it doesn't, then there's no harm done because they're not so concerned with "rules" or "winning" or indeed doing anything which they feel would in any way compromise their "style" by trying to "fit into" predefined competition guidelines.

It's the nature of any competition that you can't ultimately have total freedom if you agree to abide by a pre-determined set of conditions which the competition rules require but different individuals will ultimately have different interpretations on how much "flexibility" they have within those pre-determined guidelines and there I would agree is where your two "types" of photographer tend to diverge into two recognizable categories?

BigWill

**IvorETower** · 19-03-2010 12:31

too, apparently

**Linux_Lady** · 19-03-2010 12:46

Which one do you think you are? Or only for yourself? Ideally I'd love to be both!

Neither. I enjoy taking photos, no need to analyse any further.........

Agreed!

I take LOADS of photos... mostly for Facebook, with stupid captions for the express reason - to record memories... none would win awards.. some are blurry, but when I go through them, I remember those days and grin.

Others - I do 'try' harder and some are OK... and I stick them on my website...

But I enjoy taking all of them 'cos it's a hobby and I find it relaxing

**daft_biker** · 19-03-2010 13:27

Where's the category for mostly wanders about in their own wee bubble and doesn't give a rat's ass if the shot appeals to anybody else

**turbulentwheat** · 19-03-2010 23:49

I'm not entirely sure that I'd agree with your summation "A bit along the lines of the judges'choice and the public's choice." Pumpkin? I don't think you can neatly categorize photographers into those two neat groups and indeed I think Damien (and any other judges for that matter) might be slightly miffed that a "judges choice" also couldn't be a "people's choice" as it suggests that they are "stuck" within a rigid mindset for judging images which is "out of touch" with what a "photographer's photographer" would find appealing?

No, I think it is more a case that some photographers try to adhere strictly to the rule format for the competition whereas others take a more liberal approach and adhere to the principle that they photograph what pleases them and if it happens to loosely fit within the competition guidelines, well and good, but if it doesn't, then there's no harm done because they're not so concerned with "rules" or "winning" or indeed doing anything which they feel would in any way compromise their "style" by trying to "fit into" predefined competition guidelines.

It's the nature of any competition that you can't ultimately have total freedom if you agree to abide by a pre-determined set of conditions which the competition rules require but different individuals will ultimately have different interpretations on how much "flexibility" they have within those pre-determined guidelines and there I would agree is where your two "types" of photographer tend to diverge into two recognizable categories?

BigWill

not for one moment gorgeous will :-) am I suggesting that one is better than the other, just having different appeal amd whether one's images fall into an either/or at the end of a day's work Of course I and most would shoot for oneself (and having a proper poll would have included that but I'm still a techno/pc eejit). Naturally I shoot for myself first and foremost unless asked specifically by friends for something else. True, competitions do the same, i.e. specifics and true it's a matter of personal interpretation. But you do notice whether a photo is just technical, artistic,radical,conventional, etc etc (ideally an image would be most of all those wouldn't it). For example I try not to but I can't help not being abit arty farty when shooting insects, a brilliant straight shot doesn't come naturally to me and when I try it's like trying to go against the grain. I don't know if this helps explain any better.

As for the sample images on this page I like them all!

**MickLL** · 20-03-2010 08:05

Naturally I shoot for myself first

In this thread and many others, especially when technique and composition are mentioned the above statement rears its head.

Well folks let me stir the pot and say that the above is nonsense, balderdash, rubbish and tosh. You don't take pictures for yourself you take them for an audience. Yes you may choose your own subject in as far as some take landscape and others insects but from then on you are in the hands of your audience.

Now having made such a bold and simple statement I immediately need to back track a little.I'm not talking about the pictures that never leave the shoebox or hard drive. I'm not talking about the experiments that get deleted or filed away for future learning. Nor am I talking about the failures that you post here and say, "Intended X but got Y - please help". I'm talking about the photos that you show on this forum or enter into a competition or even show to Great Aunt Maude.

The reason that you show those photos is that you believe that they have some interest for the audience. You think that they say something about a situation or they express a point of view or even that they are a record of something - even a member of the family looking good, enjoying themselves or doing something interesting. Maybe you think that they are just pretty or that you showed some particular skill in getting the photo in the first place.

If you don't believe any of those things then why do you expect me, or any other audience, to waste our time looking and even, in some cases, taking the trouble to write comments.

Given that in showing a picture to an audience you are expecting them to invest at least time possibly emotion and sometimes their skill and judgement in helping you don't you think that they deserve to be treated with some respect?

It's only polite that you do all you can to make your picture as easy/pleasurable to read as possible. Note that I didn't use just the word easy because, just as in literature, some ideas are complex and repay study.

You need to have enough respect for your audience by making an effort to ensure that your picture is appropriately exposed and appropriately focussed. It would be nice if you arranged the picture elements in a harmonious fashion in order to help the viewer.

You will note that I have not used the word correct or the word rule.

Doing the above is not only considerate to your audience it's also the best way of encouraging them to invest time and effort in appreciating your work.

Finally, if you persist in the delusion that you take photos just for yourself then, for heavens sake, keep them to yourself

.

MickLL

**turbulentwheat** · 20-03-2010 08:16

as you rise Mick I take to my bed. Well done on a lovely long reply, a great reply, of course what you say is true

Shooting for yerself does play a part however (preferences and so on) with a mind to showing someone later when one gets round to it eventually..uploading and/or printing etc etc. There's loads of stuff that's not seen the light of day for a couple of years now. Nitey nite and top of the morning to you as well

**Barney** · 20-03-2010 08:32

Wise words indeed Mick, but in particular these one ring true...

Finally, if you persist in the delusion that you take photos just for yourself then, for heavens sake, keep them to yourself

.

**ermintrude** · 20-03-2010 09:24

.I'm not talking about the pictures that never leave the shoebox or hard drive. [...] I'm talking about the photos that you show on this forum or enter into a competition or even show to Great Aunt Maude. [...] The reason that you show those photos is that you believe that they have some interest for the audience.