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Revisiting Photography from Another Modern Perspective

By Jyppe Alqui on April 28, 2012 — Updated on June 2, 2012

I don’t disagree about the idea that when it comes to Photography, a photographer, amateur or professional, must not entangle himself or herself with the rules and latest gadgets to produce better photographs, but to tell me that I DON’T NEED them and I just need to connect, deeply and authentically to the story I am trying to tell is what makes it a different story.

Oftentimes, our thoughts for a certain topic are not fully expressed with just few sentences. More paragraphs are needed to support every idea; that is why I am making this post.

It is NOT as Easy as Counting 1, 2, 3

This is a true story.

Three years ago, I was in-charged to do portrait photography as part of a beauty products promotion, but refused to do it and I informed the organizer that I have no idea on how to take good portraits especially on a studio setting. I had only basic skills on product photography, besides, we only had a low-grade camera and two beauty dishes with 60W bulbs, which we were using for tabletop product photography.

However, the organizer insisted that I can do it because I had been shooting products. By that words, I accepted the task thinking that it was as simple as spoken.

Since the promotion is for the beauty products, everyone expected that photos could justify that the products we were promoting could enhance their beauty. In fact, that was the story I was trying to tell.

The set date came. I started shooting the subjects as if I am shooting my friends in a park, taking shots as many as I could.

I tried too shoot the subjects from different angles, as free as I was. I have no much idea how a model should pose; I have no idea about how to set up light to make their fat face look sexy. I only knew few of those things which I supposed to learn before having such battle.

Most of customers were asking me how should they pose and what else do they need to do while were having the shooting but I can’t address their needs. Some of the customers who were there, suggested to this and do that. It was a funny photo shooting session actually. But, I know that the photos were not good as everyone expected.

Most customers murmured about the service we provided.

One of the customers who have little experience about modeling, with indifferent attitude, came. It was her turn for the shooting. After the shooting, she wanted to view the photos and I let her see them. She she spoke no words. When here friend called her on her cell phone, I heard her saying that out of hundreds of photos they took, no one was good.

It was embarrassing, but it was true.

I had the heart to make them glamorous in the picture. That was my desire. That was the story I was trying to tell, but I failed.

Now, tell me that what I actually needed was just to connect, deeply and authentically with the story I wanted to tell.

It’s Other People Who Read the Real Story

Sometimes the story that a photographer wants to deliver is different from the real story that viewers get.

This is another true story.

I was assigned to make a brochure of a crystal and glass items. The message that we want to convey was that our crystal and glass items are branded and of high quality.

I asked my workmate, who was also a photography beginner, to shoot the products. She said, “I can manage this, I am an Artist.” She spent many hours arranging the items and shooting them as creative as she could using AUTO camera setting. She added some ribbons, flowers and beads beside the products. She shoot them from different angle.

As I was observing, I saw her that sometimes she had to pause and stare at the crystals, rearrange them then shoot over. The shooting was done and the photos are ready to used for the brochure design.

After the design was finished, our boss was not satisfied with photos on the design and he ordered us to re-shoot the item because the crystal looks like white plastic. Those photos were best ones [I thought] out of the tenths that was forwarded to me by my workmate.

Now, tell me that the problem with my workmate is her lack of deep and authentic connection with the story she wanted to tell and not the lack technical skills.

Gears and Knowledge Affect Quality

Let me show you sample of my photos. These photos are not those photos I am referring on the story above. These are photos of branded glass products taken on different times with different camera model, different accessories and different setting.

This first photo was taken in 2008. White cotton clothe as background. One beauty dish and fluorescent lamps as source of light. Olympus E-300 is the camera. Manual setting plus very basic technical skills and no understanding about composition.

This second photo was taken in 2010. With graduated background and clear glass table as base. More lights under the table I learned from a tutorial on how to set up lights for crystal and glass products. Canon 50D is the camera. Manual setting plus better technical skills and more understanding about composition .

These two pictures are my own work. I spent more than two hours on each of them just to make sure that they can deliver the message that I wanted to tell. But without bias, you cannot argue that the second photo looks branded and has better quality than the other.

Snapshot vs. Photograph

Yes, we have to love our own work. That is a very good mantra. But, don’t say that we don’t need the things that are actually important.

Yes, we have to be unique. That would set us apart from the competition. But, don’t forget the basics because they serve as strong foundation.

Yes, we have to release our creativity. That is the portal to producing stunning photos. But, don’t forget that Photography is more about Science than Art; Art because picture may give different meaning to different people, and Science of manipulating light, which involves many principles. You can only produce good photographs if you understand how THEY WORK TOGETHER IN ONE SYSTEM.

Yes, we have to produce photos with story. That will give life to our images. But, we have to understand the difference between snapshots and photographs.

A breathtaking snapshot is jackpot.
A breathtaking photograph is success.

Making a story out of an image is different from making the story an image.

I too have hundreds of pictures that are very memorable for me. I keep them. They have wonderful stories, touching and lasting. The snapshots of unforgettable moments. They have very great impact for me, for my family and for my friends but I can’t show them to you as my work of Art.

Always remember that a great story is has great impact to many, not only to few individuals, not only to you as photographer.

If you’re only doing photography for fun, to capture and document important events in your life or just capturing something to share to your Facebook friends, you may forget about technicalities, composition and new gadgets, but if you want to produce a photograph that will rock the world and will give you reasonable income, redirect your mind from forgetting about the things that have been told to be essential.

The Importance of Latest Photography Tools and Technology

In the world of digital photography where the new generation of better photographers – with high-end gears, in-depth technical understanding and have an eye on details – are mushrooming, the competition is very high. If you hold on “just shoot” principle, I don’t think that you can make it on the top.

I too is still in the process learning the Art of Photography. I am convinced that I am creative and I have sense of art [by the virtue of no choice ^_^]. But, they are not enough basis to produce great photograph. I need the right tools. I need the right technologies. I need the the ideas of professionals; I need their techniques. When I put their ideas into action, I discover something new. I learn. When I twist their technique, I discover something new. I learn.

Why do photographers need the latest and greatest gears? Because there are many amazing stories that mediocre gadgets cannot capture.

There are many wonderful moments that mediocre cameras miss.
There are many awe-inspiring expression that mediocre and bare lenses don’t see.
There are many breathtaking scene in the dark that mediocre flashes can’t reach.

If you want to be successful in Photography in your chosen field specialization and you want to make it as your profession, acquire the necessary and appropriate tools and technologies, never forget the basic, study the composition, aim to have an in-depth technical understanding and to all them, add your passion and innate visual art talent.

Aim high and hit your target. So do I.

Thank you for reading. Godspeed!

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25 Comments

Sharon

April 29, 2012 at 12:07 am

thanks for the encouragement jayp, hmm sounds interesting but i am not sure if i can make it better, i am still learning on my camera at this time, wish me luck hehehe

Reply
- tatess
  
  June 27, 2012 at 8:24 pm
  
  I have DSLR for like 6 years now and still learning.I am still a “point and shot” photographer. Who don’t want to be a good photographer anyway?
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violy vallester

April 29, 2012 at 6:29 am

Nice one! I'm also a photography enthusiast but not aiming to be a pro, I want my photography to be as carefree as I am, and no expectations. Some friends are loving my photography and asking for me to photograph their weddings, etc and I always decline. Adding pressure to my limitations like what you haVe experienced with that shoot is something I'm trying to avoid. For now I am ok with my bridge camera… So far the closest to professional Photography that i have tried is stock photography and having professionals scrutinized and approved my photos for selling is already worth the effort. But I'm not closing my doors for more possibilities. Thanks or this post! 😉

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Eric : Blog De Manila

April 29, 2012 at 6:37 am

nice write up of your thoughts in photography. wish you more success!

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marri

April 30, 2012 at 6:25 am

I have high regards to those who are gifted with this talent. PHOTOGRAPHY requires not only acquired ability but mastery of the skill as well.
There may have a million of photos available for the eyes to see… but only few touch ones innermost.

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- RonLeyba
  
  June 27, 2012 at 7:26 pm
  
  Love this quote of yours: There may have a million of photos available for the eyes to see… but only few touch ones innermost.
  
  Just like saying, having great camera and gadgets doesn’t make you a great photographer, having the passion , dedication and skills will do.
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Mai Flores

April 30, 2012 at 3:49 am

I agree, the second photo looked better (not saying that the first one wasn't but it could be enhanced further). And I would also have to agree with you when you wrote " You can only produce good photographs if you understand how THEY WORK TOGETHER IN ONE SYSTEM." I've come to understand this as I too was once hooked with manipulating my DSLR then. My pictures and all those art stuff that comes with taking the specimen in different views and angles were nothing if I didn't use the right 'science' or the right 'timpla' from my camera.

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ajpoliquit

April 30, 2012 at 3:53 am

I agree that it's always better to take lessons and know what you're doing so you can do it well. That's especially true in the example you gave. If someone was HIRED (and I assume, paid) to take photos, they should know the rules of photography, not just take photos and rely on luck and help from the subjects.

But if someone is not a pro, snapshots would do. No one pays for the photos anyway.

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Gil Camporazo

April 30, 2012 at 4:53 am

Taking a picture is a different thing. Printing or developing it is also another thing. The candidness and vividness of pictures are dependent upon on the quality of the "shooting gadgets" or camera. If the you're using a manual camera you've several things to take into account: the aperture, the distance, the lighting, among others. While in digital camera is everything is set to auto. The camera is adjusting itself. But one thing more important is the way the pictures are printed out. This what I've observed. I'm not a photographer, but I love taking pictures by experimenting on my shots.

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Linda

April 30, 2012 at 5:39 am

Awesome photography!This is really an informative blog. Thanks for sharing with us. Latest Gadgets

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Francis Balgos

April 30, 2012 at 10:50 am

It's actually true that you can't predict what your client wants..
Its always better to be ready and to have more in depth knowledge before engaging into something that gets you paid for photography services.

Reply
Blanca/BlancNotes

April 30, 2012 at 3:04 pm

I've always been fascinated with the way photographers get the perfect shot. I haven't really tried my hands at photograph but I dream of being good at it too.:)

Reply
- carmel
  
  June 29, 2012 at 3:42 pm
  
  Yup, photographers are so patient when it comes to waiting for that perfect shot, they’re willing to do all sorts of tricks and even sacrifices (I know a friend who woke up really early just to get a really nice landscape winter shot).
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RM Bulseco

April 30, 2012 at 4:30 pm

There are a lot websites that offer photography tutorials/tips/tricks. 😀

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athena

May 1, 2012 at 3:43 am

this is probably the first post that i read three times straight from top to bottom in one sitting.

i really feel you. i just have to 100% agree that some photographers really need to see. gears do matter. they really do. as much as there is a huge difference between built-in flash and the 600ex (canon user here). but of course, your gear depends on what you can afford and what you use it for.

pero gears are something that you can just buy if you have the money, pero the eye for beautiful images cannot be bought.

cheers. i'm bookmarking this post.

Reply
- RonLeyba
  
  June 27, 2012 at 7:24 pm
  
  Agree! Gears can add more greatness to the photographs. But still, the eye and skill of photographer is what matters the most. I am sure that Jyppe do have the talent and skills + great gadget and gears.
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markpogi

May 2, 2012 at 9:07 am

This is one hell of a good read (coming from a fellow hobbyist). But at the end of the day, Its the Indian who'd be taking better photos, not the Pana. ^_^

Reply
- tatess
  
  June 27, 2012 at 8:20 pm
  
  “Pana” term has been widely used by Filipinos to address the Indians without them knowing it.But they knew it already.
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metalpig design

June 17, 2012 at 9:57 pm

+1 on gears and knowledge affect quality..

and I also agreed on the comment underneath that says ‘It’s the Indian who’d be taking better photos, not the Pana.’

Thanks for the heads-up, and also for sharing your first-hand experience! ^_^
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tatess

June 20, 2012 at 4:18 am

the second photo looks much more elegant and expensive. Photography takes a lot of dedication to the subject for a better outcome.
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- RonLeyba
  
  June 27, 2012 at 7:21 pm
  
  Me, I love the third one. Much more classy with that lighting and color. Agree with you about photography takes dedication, as well as patience and passion though.
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  - carmel
    
    June 29, 2012 at 3:44 pm
    
    I think you both meant the same photo, the last one with the glassware and green gradient background.
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RonLeyba

June 27, 2012 at 7:19 pm

Being up to date with the latest news, technology and gadget in terms of photography is a must. I know, it’s quite expensive to buy photography stuffs every time a new gadget is out, but it’s essential if you are making a living out of photography job.
I invite you to read: 8 Basic Camera Shots for Photography Amateurs

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- carmel
  
  June 29, 2012 at 3:36 pm
  
  Yeah, really an expensive endeavor, this is why taking up photography as a hobby is on my wish list.
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carmel

June 29, 2012 at 3:34 pm

For me, taking a good photo needs a lot of skill and practice, of course using the best tools as well.

I love taking random photos, but sometimes I don’t have the luxury of time to adjust my cam’s manual settings, esp. when the subject is funny or priceless, such as catching your 2-yo nephew playing with the baby powder scattered all over the floor… I just need to take a photo at that very instant, hehehe…
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