mikeky
Premium
join:2001-12-07
Kentucky
 ·Windstream
1 edit | Making Pictures vs Taking Pictures
In a recent magazine article, one of the pros made a comment that during coverage of a sporting or other event, he wanted to "make pictures" rather than "take pictures". I understood that to mean putting his interpretation and perspective in the photo rather than just capturing the moment. It made sense at first, but the more I thought about it, haven't some of the best photos really just captured the moment? Is there really a difference?
Edit: If you there is a difference, would love to see some examples of each.
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It's easy to conclude you're right if you never listen to the other side. -John Breaux |
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tmpchaos
Requiescat in pace
Premium,Mod
join:2000-04-28
Hoboken, NJ
clubs:    | Is waiting for the exact right moment 'capturing the moment', or is it 'making the picture'? |
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overhill
Judd
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-03
Miami, FL
2 edits | reply to mikeky
I think there is a difference, but it sometimes is not discernible in a single photograph. What I mean is that I sometimes feel that I can tell the difference when I look at the collection of photographs from a photographer (especially if I know the region in which the photographs were taken). Here is an example...
I spent a lot of weekends in Everglades National Park when I was in South Florida for nine months. I met many photographers while there, but two resident photographers stick out as exemplifying the differences that I see between making and taking photographs.
1) Joe visits the park almost every weekend...all year. Very few people visit June-October due to the humidity and bugs, however Joe has found a range of subjects and scenes that he could only capture during the cruel wet season. His style could be intense, but he was generally laid back and careful to look for details. His overall portfolio is astoundingly diverse and intimate. Some of his photographs are average and some are excellent...but the sum total shows me impressive dedication and vision. He exemplifies making photographs in my mind.
2) Greg visits the park a couple times a week during the dry season due to the diversity of birds that are visible. He once told me that it wasn't worth traveling farther into the park than Anhinga Trail (approximately 3 miles down a road that goes 30+ miles). He shoots a top of the line camera and consistently blasts away at 8+ fps. His keeper photographs are often well-executed and they do show creativity, but I still feel as if his style is more in line with taking photographs. For good or bad, I feel that his photographs don't tell the whole story (by largely capturing the obvious at the most expected times). I always felt his style was more in line with taking photographs, and then moving on to the next hot location.
I don't intend to suggest that a good photographer will always shoot at the same location and will create a portfolio that shows all things and all times of the year. Instead, what I mean to suggest is that those who truly make photographs have the vision, ability, and desire to try and make terrific photographs anyplace/anytime. Not sure if I make any sense here, but I sure typed a lot. 
The names have been changed to protect the innocent!
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Judd Patterson Photography
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noe
Premium
join:2005-11-10
Area 51, WV
| reply to mikeky
Photojournalism and art/composition used to be separate and distinct styles determined to a large extent by the equipment. Ansel Adams, and many others, would set up for hours to take the one perfect shot, while ringside camera people would flash off a shot and hope they got Marciano's glove landing the knockout.
Nowadays another style is emerging...Editing. Take hundreds of shots of the same subject then edit the "good" ones on the computer. We just go with the flow and get rich (He he) or be unique, but keep the day job.
I helped develop the light wire which is now used to talk and see through all sorts of things; attach a camera and record the event. Pretty soon we will have hand-helds to poke in, around, up and under all sorts of things and have another style of photography. I just can't think of a good name for it.
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.........Brother, brother brother, there's far too many of you dying.....war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate.......Marvin Gaye....
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mikeky
Premium
join:2001-12-07
Kentucky
·Windstream
| reply to overhill
said by overhill  :... but the sum total shows me impressive dedication and vision. He exemplifies making photographs in my mind. ... For good or bad, I feel that his photographs don't tell the whole story (by largely capturing the obvious at the most expected times). I always felt his style was more in line with taking photographs, and then moving on to the next hot location. ... I like that distinction, because it says that even those capturing the moment, through planning and attention to detail, can still "make photographs".
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It's easy to conclude you're right if you never listen to the other side. -John Breaux |
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Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
4 edits | reply to overhill
said by overhill :I think there is a difference, but it sometimes is not discernible in a single photograph..... 1) Joe visits the park almost every weekend...all year. Very few people visit June-October due to the humidity and bugs And then again I have shot sunset virtually every night for the last 5 (and more, but less frequently...pre digital frequently 10) years in KW, even if raining if I had shelter...even if sitting on an untended covered otherwise sunset bar or dashing back to port in a boat ahead of the deluge...never know where you are going to see an amazing rainbow, lightning, or other odd but wonderful weather 
One day I will make something of that all, just haven't quite yet.
5 KW 365 Sunset CD or book's or 5 year edit comes to mind, but at this point which...ONE 365 or a 5 year composite? (making choices much tougher)
Not to mention picking just ONE shot from any given day. (If you have never been to KW maybe you can't understand how perplexing that can be)
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
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