Wednesday, September 24, 2014

14 things Ansel Adams can teach you about photography.


It’s worthwhile to learn from masters.
Ansel Adams (1902-1984) is one of the greatest photographers. His thoughts will help you to understand the art of photography.

Here’s the list of my favorite quotations from A. Adams:

1.  “Not everybody trusts paintings but people believe photographs”.

When you are shooting it will be good to remember these words. Now in the era of PhotoShop you can modify the reality in a way you want. Sometimes it will be useful for your creative idea. But… don’t overdo it or you’ll abuse of your viewers’ confidence.

2.  “You don't take a photograph, you make it”.

You do not duplicate the subject (it doesn’t matter whether you capture people or nature). You create it, you put your soul into your image and then and only then a viewer will be touched and surprised…

3. “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs”.

You should learn the rules and only then you could break them for some reasons (if you want to receive some striking shots or want to experiment with the points of interest you could break the rules).

4.  “Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop”.

It’s very useful quotation. When you begin to worry that you have not so many good photos, just remember these words. If even great Ansel Adams considered 12 significant photographs per a year to be a good crop, you with your idea of bad situation with your 10-20-30 good photos can take it easy.

5. “A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words”.

If people do not understand your image, maybe it’s better to try again to shoot than to try to explain what did you mean…

6.  “Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art”.

To tell the truth, it’s the high aim – to create art with the help of your camera…

7.  “There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept”.

The technique skills in the photography are not on the first place. Imagination, feelings, soul must be on the first place.

8. “There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer”.

You do not take photos for yourself (as a rule). And it’s a happy moment when the viewer understands your image and enjoys it.

9.  “Some photographers take reality...and impose the domination of their own thought and spirit. Others come before reality more tenderly and a photograph to them is an instrument of love and revelation”.

It’s impossible to say what is better, just try to be both.

10. “I am always surprised when I see several cameras, a gaggle on lenses, filters, meters, et cetera, rattling around in a soft bag with a complement of refuse and dust. Sometimes the professional is the worst offender!”

Many a true word is spoken in jest…

11. “A photograph is not an accident – it is a concept”.

You heard that a photographer must be in the right place in the right time… But even in the right place and in the right time you will not have a great shot without a concept.

12. “I know the importance of highly trained awareness of the "moment" and the immediate and intuitive response of the photographer. It should be obvious to all that photographers whose images possess character and quality have attained them only by continued practice and total dedication to the medium”.

You need as much practice as possible to improve your photography…

13. “A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into”.

It’s not easy to take photos to be looked into… but you can set your heart on this aim.

14. “We don't make a photograph just with a camera, we bring to the act of photography all the books we have read, the movies we have seen, the music we have heard, the people we have loved”.

Amazing words! Keep them in mind when you are dreaming of great photos!
Thank you for reading!

No comments:

Post a Comment