What is Good?
My Monday Meltdown…
People, people, PEOPLE! Please enough! First, let me preface this by saying I am far from the best photographer in the world. I constantly strive to do better work each and every time I do a shoot. Do I suck at photography? I’d like to think not. Am I great at it? Not yet. What am I getting at? My issue is with people praising mediocre work. Mediocre is even a stretch. Sometimes it’s hideous work that I see being praised on message boards and some of it even gets published in magazines. UGH. So what gives? It’s not just photography but also web sites and videos. I’ll stick with photography for today.
Those of you who are competitors, do you strive to look like the person who placed dead last at a competition? My guess is, no. There’s a reason why many of you cut out images of Jenn Gates, Mary Lado, Davan Medina, Monica Brant and many others. They are good competitors and their physiques are ones you look up to and wish to emulate. Right? Well, use that mentality when it comes to photography and how you praise it. First you have to recognize what is good and use that as your “good gauge”. If you’re used to looking at nothing but crappy photos you won’t know what is good.
Beginning today I will profile photography in and out of the fitness industry, most of it will be outside the lines of fitness. I encourage everyone to stop and think, is this really good or am I just saying that because everyone else is? Or maybe no one has shown you what is good until now. This is in an example of good. Not just good photography but REALLY good.
If you have any examples of what you think is good, feel free to email me. It’s my goal to see the world of fitness photography suck less in the months ahead.
Don’t have a cow! Sometimes the best pictures come out of a surprise, and many times it is the lighting. Lens does matter, in various situations, but a lot comes from the subject, lighting and getting the right expression among lots of pics.
HAHA Yogi. You are hilarious.
I’m not an art expert, but I am a fan and I know a good photograph when I see it.
I think you’re a great photographer and I don’t think the models who’ve been impressed with your work are ‘just saying that’. One of the things you probably don’t get enough credit for – at least among the guys who do like most of your work – is that the women you shoot enjoy the experience of working with you.
Your still photography is top-shelf, you just need more practice with the action shots…although the one of that girl QB from the tryouts the other day was just dandy.
i think “good” photographers know what they are good at and what they need to improve on and take the time to research and practice the stuff the are not so good at yet. my friend, kym chambers, is amazing at nature shots but wants to get into more studio and some physique photography and she goes to clinics and workshops and puts in the time to get better before she praises herself and displays her work for all to see! my 2 cents! check out her website…
http://www.kymchambers.com
Sorry, I got hung up on the subjects… It’s Eddie and Sean; they’re both beautiful! (Even with the wrinkles). I, however, would do better with a good Photoshopper rather than good Photographer.
Seriously though.. I really was taken with this candid snapshot taken by Rebecca Snide backstage at a recent show in Michigan. The subject is NPC competitor Abigail Davis. I can’t say the picture looked professional, but the shot really captured a feeling that most competitors can appreciate.
Check it out! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvYzw6NL_dE/Sf42b5e4DqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/IK6npGJE0dk/s1600-h/2+Weeks+004.jpg
Just my 2 cents.
~C.
Epic meltdown Lift
SUCK LESS!
I like this cannon commercial…not sure where is classifies with good photography but I love how they put this together
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BQfCoqbubE
Cool commercial Amy.
Cynthia! I didn’t even know you posted this on here – I loved this shot of Abby. I took it right before I was getting ready to go on stage and she was in a hurry to put her earrings on to walk out with me. Yes, I love the feeling that it captures. She had no clue I was taking the pic until it was too late. I am, however, the furthest thing from a photographer that you can get.