One received a telephone with a camera, the other a compact camera and the third a top quality Digital SLR camera. Setting aside the technical difficulties and the limitations that the first two cameras presented to the professional photographers, how did their work compare? If you didn't know which camera had been used, it was difficult to fit print to specific camera. What does this show?
Is a good photograph the result of a good camera?
No! A good image is crafted by the photographer - his knowledge, experience, ability, creativity, quality and control of the light and other important skills come into play . A good camera does play an important role- it can make things easier. For example, automatic focus, mirror lock-up, internal light meter and much more. Automation can simplify challenging jobs.
This is good but it can also be bad. Why?
Because a lot of the thinking is done for you - you lose control. On the other hand some photographers say that this is a good thing as it gives them time to concentrate on being creative.
The crafting of an image is closely tied to a number of factors - the ISO, aperture, shutter speed.
What about the lens? Will using a 12mm lens be the same as a 80mm? What lens is best for a particular situation?
The most important part of the camera from the point of view of picture quality is the lens. But even the best lens cannot create a good picture - only the eye of the photographer can.
Is there a rule that can be followed that will greatly improve our photography?
Yes! When applied intelligently this rule will dramatically improve our photography.
BASIC RULE:
A good photograph must have a theme.
That theme must be emphasised
That theme must be simplified.
The theme must be emphasised - there are a number of ways to do this, two examples:
Make the theme (the main subject) large enough to dominate the attention.
By selective focus, placing everything before and after the main subject less sharp.
It must be simplified - meaning that anything that does not contribute to the theme must be removed. Any distracting content? Any empty spaces? Too much foreground or background?
Many are reluctant to crop the image, as a result distracting elements are left in, contributing to the weakening of the theme. CROPPING is an essencial part in the refining process.
