Could not agree more Suzi, I sometimes think that despite near perfect technique and composition a shot can lack interest. It is, I think, flare and originality that catches the viewers imagination and works best, there are times when both excellent technical ability and flare go together but strangely this does not happen that often.

It seems that as far as the pleasure of viewing goes the photographic skills can sometimes distract from the original idea rather than enhance but perhaps that is JMO.

I agree completely Suzi. One of my biggest problems is Camera Club atm - because we are all expected to adhere strictly to the rules to enter photos - and of course, everyone drives so has no problem getting to places to get photos - and I really struggle with that too so again this month I don't think I'll be entering

xx

There are 1000's of books/subjects written about composition, light, tone, texture, et al... most 'appealing' images actually follow at least one convention or another, whether you realise it or not.

I guess what this thread is partly about is can people learn photography or is it just an inherant skill or ability to see a good picture? Ok, you can learn the technical aspect exposure etc, you can learn maybe that things should be on the thirds or whatever, but I think some people just don't have the eye at all.

At work we expect people to learn to use a camera to take record shots of a scene in a sterile way. Some people understand the technicalities, other intelligent people never actually seem to get their head around a camera at all.

Some people seem to have no appreciation of what contitutes a good picture. I can show my inlaws a picture of a bird in the garden or their granddaughter that represents about 1% of the picture area and they concentrate on that and think it was good. Likewise you could have a cracking shot and they would miss the point of the artistic side and still just concentrate on the fact it is the granddaughter and look at her instead of the whole composition.

I think some people just don't have that gene or whatever it is. You can have a mountain of gear but still can't see what makes a good picture with composition and subject matter. Some people I'm sure just don't have any appreciation or recognition of the whole composition and maybe also of course that technically it can be lacking...and yes, these people are considering themselves to be hobby photographers just like the people around them usingb the same websites or camera club. I'm not having a go, but the best analagy really is to watch something like Britains Got Talent or the X-Factor at the start. Apprecaite some of those acts are staged I am sure, but simply some people think they are genuinely talented and don't recognise any difference between themselves and the real talented stars. Often they are supported by freinds and parents who equally are stupid enough not to recognise it either or simply blinded family loyalty. If you are crap then basically sometimes we need to be told. If we are crap and can be nurtured then some positive encouragement and understanding why we are crap can be helpful.

Appreciated photography as an art subject is a little subjective and down to personal tastes and we all have varying opinions on what we would like to see but I agree with JR's point that actually the pictures we think are good do often follow certain conventions.

It's not just learning those skills, it's applying them too - maybe that's a whole new skill in itself too

For me as long as I am happy with the pictures I take thats all that really matters and that is the whole point of photography surely. If one is ging to become a commercial photographer then yes technique- composition- subject matter etc. comes into it.

If you have to start worrying about taking photos and being better than the next person then it is the time to give up.

Bazza

Aw Bazza, where's your competitive spirit...you entered the last monthly competition didn't you?! Now if it was the Eurovison Song Contest where people vote not for the product but the people behind it then it may be different...

Did I ?

Bazza

Thought I posted under "Topic of the month"

Bazza

Well it seems to be a mini competition where people vote, or rather in my case, people don't vote!