Shooting with a purpose


Rousingweezil

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Jul 12, 2017
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Hello there fellow photographers

I recently got my first DSLR, a Nikon D3400. I know that photographers always recommend to always shoot with a purpose. I am finding it hard to apply that. May I ask:


-How can I carry a message across through my photos?
-How can I carry a message across thorugh Landscape photos?

Thank you!:)
Jourdanwee
 

There is a saying - A picture says a thousand words. A good photo captures your attention, the details e.g. subjects, objects, composition, moods created by the tones, etc. The equipment is a tool only. Good pictures are created by the person behind the camera. Very much depends on how a person sees and capture scenes, subjects etc.

Best way is to learn how to use the tools i.e. equipment by reading books, youtube tutorials, practise by shooting lots of pics.

Also look at famous paintings, pictures you like, and ask why you like them.

No formula as this is in a way art. You need to practise and this takes time.
 

To me, there are two options:
1) You carry a message by seeing a message (in an object, in a situation) and capturing it with your camera, or
2) You create a message by shooting a person or object in a certain way.
3) You evoke imagination, thoughts and messages in the viewers.

I would think option 1 is what most people start with and option 2 and 3 is what real artists arrive at.
On the way there you will cross the shallows of cheap show effects, heaps of snapshots of frozen moments without meaning, the temptations of new and better gear ...

Start with option 1: capture what catches your eye and see whether the picture still tells you the same one week later. If not, try again.
Ask yourself why some things catch your attention. Find this trigger, then catch it from hundred angles...
 

taking a photo is just like writing a story, whether is story of 50 words, or 5000 words.
there must be a subject in your story, no subject in the story, everything falls apart.

so what is the subject in your photo?
once you identify your subject, make it stands out, make it interesting.
 

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Enjoy the moment.
Love your photos.
Then, people can enjoy it with you.

Skill wise takes time, but once you love, you will eventually find a style that is unique to you.
You will see the subject / outcome naturally while you shoot.
 

Shoot shoot shoot!

Words of Cartier Bresson..."Your first 10000 snaps are your worst."
 

-How can I carry a message across through Landscape photos?

a) How - Technically, you need tools (lens say a wide angle or a telephoto?, Tripod, Time, Place, etc)
b) Message - Artistically / Spiritually, what do you want to tell your audience? the vastness? the merciless? etc
c) Landscape photos - There are many ways of arranging(compose) a frame of landscape. Generally, it is like a telling a story like you have introduction, body of details, conclusion. For Landscape photos, I usually try to arrange a foreground(intro), midground(body), background(conclusion).

$8166b799fa254b2b9161bdf4f3a9febe.jpg

-How can I carry a message across through my photos?
a) How -> Tools, different genres(landscapes, street, portraits, wildlife, sports, action) require different tools, lenses, flashes, reflectors, etc
b) Message -> This is the part where it would show your inner self and feelings, your philosophy, etc
c) Photos -> There are different composure and exposure techniques (Light, Shadow, Speed, Emotions, Colors, Contrast, etc etc) for different genres of Photos. For part C, my friend recommend me this book which help me a lot.

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Happy Learning!
 

That is awesome Ah Keong. Well done!
 

That is awesome Ah Keong. Well done!

no lah Nikonzen, just sharing and learning together.
I am lucky to have friends that share their professional experiences with me so I just share my one cent with anyone that may need.

Hope it helps! :D
 

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To me, not every photograph needs to carry a message. If you come across a scene you like and the lighting's great. take a photograph. That's the purpose of taking the photograph..... because you like it. Not all photographs have to be rationalised or carry a message.
 

To me, not every photograph needs to carry a message. If you come across a scene you like and the lighting's great. take a photograph. That's the purpose of taking the photograph..... because you like it. Not all photographs have to be rationalised or carry a message.

+1 what he said.

I dont normally shoot to tell a story. Havent really advanced to that level yet but I am aware it is there. Most of the time nowadays I shoot if the light is right.
 

That is awesome Ah Keong. Well done!
+2

Well say.

Please correct me if i am mislead by this saying.
If u follow the book then it will be the same view as that photographer. Then it will not have ur inner on the photo.

Sent from my LG-H961N using Tapatalk
 

My 2 cents worth. I think what it meant by having a purpose is basically to teach yourself how to take a photo.

It is like an artist that paints. The difference between an artist and a photographer is for an artist, it starts with a blank canvas, whereas a photographer, you have a scene ready.

Teaching yourself starts from everything learning about the camera (your tool). Next, how to compose? Where to place the subject? Top, bottom, left or right. LIGHTS. Set up your aperture and speed, F stop, ISO, etc are setting in your camera for that picture perfect. To learn the right exposure you may not need to compose. To compose you need the right setting. Exposure is like scribbling on rough paper while composing is like inking your artwork.

So basically when it says tag a message to your picture means to teach yourself how to shoot. Don't take it literally.

May you excel in your pursue to your picture perfect and I wish you all the fun in your journey.
 

Hello there fellow photographers

I recently got my first DSLR, a Nikon D3400. I know that photographers always recommend to always shoot with a purpose. I am finding it hard to apply that. May I ask:


-How can I carry a message across through my photos?
-How can I carry a message across thorugh Landscape photos?

Thank you!:)
Jourdanwee

Hi Jordan and welcome. Like life most people have biases or see life through rose tinted glasses, meaning they see what they wish to see for one reason or other.I'm not saying this is good or bad but understand that people have viewpoints and opinions.That's how humans are,the opinions espoused here
are not right or wrong but simply the perception of the word PHOTOGRAPHER.

You can have many meanings by the term photographer.Be it as someone who earn a living from it, produce art with it or simply someone who records his/her
life experiences to look back fondly of the times of your life. BTW Kodak the film company had an advertisement during the 70's on tv and radio with a catchy song called "Times of your life" buy Paul Anka which you can hear on youtube. Check it out and I think you will like it as I do.

As a young person living life there are forces that seem to impact on you like currents in water which is beyond your control and at the same time
life tells you to be special and do stuff to make yourself unique but also tell you that there are rules to conform or else you will not be accepted. Then there is the admonishment that "rules are meant to be broken". People use this excuse when they make mistakes and justify it with regards to photography.Furthermore it says if you want to break the rules to do it big time and make it obvious to show you know what you are doing and
therefore it then becomes ART. There are alot of arty farty art out there..haha.

What I'm trying to say is ultimately it is you who make the images that give
meaning to yourself and that makes it your photographs.Sure there are rules but they are mostly what humans find it aesthetic or beautiful, whether it is art or a good photo is beside the point.After all beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Do what pleases you but if you want to please others then that's another story!

D3400 is an entry level camera but it has all the features in advanced ones just that you have to go through the menu system to use it unlike the direct access buttons found on mid/high end cameras. So know your tools and how to use them. Learn about exposure and composition and you will be on your way. Most of all enjoy the hobby! Good luck!
 

+2

Well say.

Please correct me if i am mislead by this saying.
If u follow the book then it will be the same view as that photographer. Then it will not have ur inner on the photo.

Sent from my LG-H961N using Tapatalk

Just sharing some 1 cent.

Usually, typical work flow generally follow a three step process to work out pictures.

a) why do I want to share, express, etc this story - Red

b) how to express this story? (composition, foreground, middleground, background, colors, dof, etc) - White

c) what settings to use to express this story? (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, lighting, etc) - Blue

0cf31571b64aec29eb52228bf0c16dc6.jpg


When I first started out, I was drilled on the "science" part to do proper exposure, effects of aperture, effects of shutter speed, focal length, lighting, etc to do.

Now I am learning the "art" part how to do composition, colors, etc in order to express the story with the "science" part.

Enjoy the journey! I am still learning.... :D

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