This is the second of a series of notes really written for myself. The aim is to improve MY OWN photographic ability. You can join the journey if you want to. Sight is the prime sense employed in the making of photographic images. Yet, very few of us practice to improve our photographic vision. Some of us take the same picture over and over again without realising it. Learning to see more deeply is the key to breaking out of the rut.
Becoming skilled at seeing deeply from a photographic perspective was one of the most difficult things I had to do to improve my own photography. Even today, I spend more effort at seeing well than on any other part of photography. I have a tendency to photograph birds the same way shot after shot – very excusable if one considers that a specific angle of observation is most advantageous from an ID-perspective. After a while, I noticed that my compositions looked rather similar, even to the extent that they depict birds mostly facing to the right in full-frame shots and facing to the left in compositions with more canvass around it. Once I became aware that I tend to approach similar subjects in the same way, I was able to find new ways to photograph these subjects, but it took a great deal of TIME, effort and thought on my part. 
Seeing well is definitely easier for some than others, but everyone can learn to see well if they want to and work at it. For example, I have a look at Gwen’s work, totally green with envy… she has a natural ability to see really well, both from a composition and subject PoV. If she reflects on this a bit, maybe Gwen can post a piece of advice or two… The jackpot question is: how does one get to see better? First you have to be aware that there is scope for improvement. Secondly you must accept that improved photographic visualisation can be learnt and the good news is that it can be self-taught. Thirdly you must consciously work at seeing better. Shooting loads of photographs should improve your vision as long as you pick a variety of subjects and concentrate on getting different results... pose, lighting, reflections, action, special effects, natural patterns in background and foreground can all play a dramatic role in changing your perception of what makes a good shot. With us being in the era of digital photography there is no excuse not to shoot and shoot and shoot…
» 5 Comments
1Comment
at Saturday, 25 October 2008 11:02
Nice article, Johan.
And I lovely photo.
2Comment
at Saturday, 25 October 2008 20:13
Thanks for the advice Johan - I will try remember this next time I go out to take pics!!
3Comment
at Saturday, 25 October 2008 20:31
Interesting article Johan. And thank you for the compliment, but I am still very much a novice at photography. :-)
I think a lot of wildlife photographers tend to take portraits (more or less full frame) of their subject.
But I am not a typical twitcher or wildlife fundi, so I think I tend to be less focussed on the subject in question and more on the total picture. It is a slightly different 'point of view' so to speak. For me a photo of a bird with thát little extra is so much more interesting.
For instance, this photo by Robinsegg is one of my all time favs http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickadeetr ails/2969998392 and this one by Peter Hall http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter-hall/ 2490088728/in/set-72157605039663659/
4Comment
at Saturday, 25 October 2008 20:34
a beautiful photo, Johan! and some good food for thought ;-)))
5Comment
at Monday, 27 October 2008 11:19
You hit the nail on the head in saying we tend to start taking photos the same way over and over without realizing it's similarity to others previously taken... I will take this into consideration on my trip this weekend... did i mention we off to kruger this weekend.. *wicked grin*
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