What skills and habits make someone a good photographer?
Asked 8/29/2010
33 views
2 answers
0
I’m trying to understand why my photos don’t look as good as I want them to. When I compare my images to strong work I see online, the difference feels huge, and I’m not sure what I’m missing.
Is being a good photographer mostly about technical camera skill, artistic vision, theory, or simply lots of practice? If I’m unhappy with my results, does that usually point to lack of experience, lack of technique, or both?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
19
Patience and persistence.
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." - attributed to Henri Cartier-Bresson
I'm amazed how much you learn simply by taking more pictures. I started a photo a day project last October, and I can tell a huge difference in the quality of my photos now compared to when I started.
Also, take an evening and spend a few hours observing one scene, perhaps a park or something. Especially during the "golden hour" before sunset, you can see huge changes in the scene, and each moment gives a different mood to the scene.
Technical skill is important, but you don't really need to focus to much on it, because you will improve your skill as you take pictures that aren't quite right. The ones that turn out pretty well except one little flaw are the ones you can learn the most from, because that one flaw will drive you nuts and force you to figure out how to fix it the next time you encounter a similar situation.
Originally by user67. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
There isn’t one single thing that makes a good photographer. It’s usually a mix of technical skill, artistic judgment, and—most importantly—patience and persistence.
Practice matters a lot. Taking many photos teaches you what works, what doesn’t, and how to spot small flaws. As your experience grows, camera operation becomes more natural, which helps you react quickly and focus on the image rather than the controls.
Technical knowledge is useful, but it’s not the whole story. Great photos also depend on observation: being present, noticing light, mood, and timing. Spending time with one scene—especially during changing light such as the golden hour—can teach you how dramatically a photograph can change from moment to moment.
It’s also worth remembering that photography is subjective. Not every image will appeal to everyone, and comparing yourself to polished work online can be discouraging.
If you’re frustrated, that usually means you’re developing the ability to see the gap between your current results and what you want. Keep shooting, study your misses, and don’t get paralyzed by worrying whether you’re “good.” Improvement comes from consistent practice and reflection.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI16y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can a new photographer develop artistic vision and a personal style for nature photography?
Why might a digital photographer benefit from learning to shoot film?
Can a photograph be artistically strong even if the technique is imperfect?
Do I need to be an expert before joining a photography workshop?
How can an amateur photographer earn enough to support the hobby besides stock photography?