How do u know u have a good photo?

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Permalink Reply by randy epperson on December 18, 2007 at 6:29am

A photography instructor gave our class a list for quality control:
- check exposure: appropriate for subject, mood?
- check sharpness: tack sharp where needed, depth-of-field appropriate?
- check the light: is it special?
- check the composition: clean, clear, lack of distraction?
- check the creative and emotional values: emotion conveyed, your unique perspective revealed?

I usually pass my image through the above list first, then I ask myself "do I like this image?". Then I try to get other's opinions - after all, "good" is in the eye of the beholder ;) .
I personally am rarely satisfied with my photos, I always think they could be better.
I also compare my photo with a photograph from a photographer whom I respect - is it as good as one of their's?
I'm not sure there is a good or bad picture. There are just pictures which could be improved and those which cannot.

Just some thoughts...

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Permalink Reply by Jeanette's OzPix on December 18, 2007 at 9:06pm

Hey, I know what you mean!!
I found that when I first started, but I think I'm learning. I seem to hit the mark more often than I used to. I'm getting more favourable comments on my pics than before.
So experience will help you a lot... and also asking questions!! And be willing to learn!! You'll get there mate!
Also, I'll take a look at your photos and leave some comments.

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Permalink Reply by Ovidiu Suteu on December 23, 2007 at 8:31am

Well. It is an interesting question. I would be tempted to say post it here for comments, but then I saw loads of lovely shots being completely ignored and absolutely crap shots getting loads of positive comments ( especially the nude ones ;) ) I always leave the file in my computer and re-open it after a week or two. Is like getting a fresh view.
Follow your instinct and the guidelines and...you will know when you got a nice shot. After all you are shooting for yourself not for others.

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Permalink Reply by igor on January 8, 2008 at 6:22pm

having a good eye really, with a good eye trust me, you will know which photos ok, perfect, and excellent
i asked the same question when i found the web.site, i learn practice make you better, no matter how many answerers I got, didn't quit get it, then i started to take photos and learn that time is everything, someone told me the same answerer i'm telling u a good eye really all u need, another person sad all u need is a brain, but if u can c through your eyes how will the brain no what to do, so i say practice, the more pictures u take the better the eye will get, what the man before me comment, thats true to, read through all of there comments, really, any professionals picture that i've c'nd, i find there is something i could change, or will look better if he did this or that, but thats jest my thing, every body has it's own style, experience will teach u all that and more, i got in to photography about 7moths ago, so I'm not professional yet, also i take my photos through edit, i sharp my photo, unsharpened, add more light less light, change the colors, trying every thing that i can, i do all that jest to c how will look at the end, having an idea or knowing how your picture will look before u take it, makes u a great photographer and a great photographer has excellent, good photos, worth paying for, hope this will help and that i didn't waste your time,

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Permalink Reply by Cora Reed on January 9, 2008 at 1:26am

This site helped me figure that out in the beginning: http://www.photosig.com

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Permalink Reply by manouel the greek on January 9, 2008 at 2:51am

Exposure, sharpness, lighting, guidelines, equipment …essentials,but…
Fortunately , taking good photographs has little to do with owning expensive equipment and knowing technical data. The secret is in seeing. Ask yourself: What do I look at, and how do I see it? A good photograph has qualities that display the skill, art, interests, and personality of the photographer.
A picture is a playground, with places for our eyes to wander and investigate, plus spaces for them to rest and relax.
Just as important as knowing what to include, is knowing what to exclude.
What is the objective of the photograph? Is there a commercial aspect to the photograph that may be different from a purely artistic aspect and to whom is the targeted audience?
Photography much like other forms of art is very subjective and as such can be very paradoxical in terms of what makes a good photograph. What I may like, you may not like but yet another will. A photo that is technically correct can be "not good", that is, others do not like it. Whereas, a blurred overexposed photo can be "good".
Besides a technically good photo with proper exposure and good focus is the emotions behind the image. Does it make you feel something?
Most important for a great photograph must be:
Drama: something that creates an instant emotional impact to the viewer. A tragedy, struggle, triumph or happiness.
Innovation composition - introducing something from a different perspective.
Realism: Showing how people live.
Content and concept are far more important than any technical concerns.
However, all things considered, a good or a "great" photo is one the photographer enjoys, but all the better, when others take delight in it too.
photographers thoughts...

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Permalink Reply by Vilma Salazar on January 26, 2008 at 12:12pm

I like very much the way you expressed Manouel. Agree with you. Sometimes you have to brake the rules in creativity.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy on January 9, 2008 at 2:46am

Thank you so much for asking this question. Seems so simple ... and yet. The responses have really given me a lot to consider.

What I am also finding very helpful are the comments as I post images. Most often I'm finding responses validate my gut instinct about an image. Some that I consider just so-so, illicit little to no response. One's that I personally like but are very routine photos, get a kind of yawn -- that's nice. Ones that I really like some aspects of but are unsure about others I seem to get a mixed bag of comments, which is really very helpful in sorting out my own interpretation of the image. And then there are those wonderful moments when something I've done, that for whatever reason I love -- color, composition, clarity, emotion, mood -- seems to also have achieved the goal of reaching out to others and striking a like chord with them. This is a good thing!!! I'm growing and feel less alone in my pursuit. Thank you to everyone.

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Permalink Reply by librahp on January 9, 2008 at 4:17am

I look at it this way:

1) Do I like it!!... only then do I ask the opinion of others.
2) if I were flipping through a magazine with tons of pics... why would I stop at this one? (try different angles on your subject) I like to first find a background... then I search for something to put in a foreground. My friends are my guinea pigs lol.
3) Does my pic stir an emotion (I like to use a lot of natural light coming in from one side. "chiarescuro" = one light source)
4) Finally and last I try to improve my shot through the technical stuff. I love to close the lens as much as I can get away with. Drama light! ;)

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Permalink Reply by Khalid T.S on January 21, 2008 at 1:47am

I used to say that to my self before when ever I post a photo or even take a photo but think of it like this first when you take a photo imagine what feelings you want to reflect in this photo or what is the message you want to show? One thing more after you take the photo judge on it from a view of some who is seeing a photo not for him and think what is your opinion. Most important if you are convince that it is lovely and fine than it is fine. Add to this the tecnical side like image quality sharpness color angle...

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Permalink Reply by n i s h a on February 18, 2008 at 11:53pm

It is an interesting question and many interesting answers .thank you for sharing.

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Permalink Reply by Liviu on January 22, 2008 at 7:27am

A good photo is that photo that is telling you something when you watch it....If you take 100 photos and only one is good, do not think that you waste 100 photos for only one picture...Consider that you made 1 good picture and THAT'S IT...Just keep shooting

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