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What would improve your photos?


pgk

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In addressing the OP which is in relation to equipment, I find that the production of a top quality print is as difficult and as expensive now as it always has been - everything else has become easier and less costly (once you have the computer, camera software and training).

 

Otherwise, improvement is down to better knowledge, determination and skill of the individual.

 

As a keen amateur with a 'so so' ability - being a member of a local photographic club for the last 2 years has given my photography a boost - It has given me photographic goals - I have seen much good work (and bad), It has exposed me to many different facets of photography that would have not happened otherwise. I know photographic clubs are not particularly popular in this forum but it works for me.

 

And finally - I have just received Günter Osterloh’s book - an essential piece of equipment.

 

Regards,

 

Nick

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The only thing that would help me would be more time to get out there with a camera.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

Are you referring to the theory that 1000 Chimpanzees bashing away at typewriters for 10.000 years would produce a Shakespearian sonnet? :p A great photograph usually takes 1/60th of a second. I know - I've missed too many if not all of them :(

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A total personality transplant might help so that I am not so seriously disappointed with everyday pictures. Make me stupid. Put me at the top of the Bell Curve with lots money for SC carts. Ah, and a crappy home printer. That's the ticket. Oh, and cut me off the internet. Everyone benefits.

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Are you referring to the theory that 1000 Chimpanzees bashing away at typewriters for 10.000 years would produce a Shakespearian sonnet? :p A great photograph usually takes 1/60th of a second. I know - I've missed too many if not all of them :(

 

I rather think he refers to the assumption that even Shakespeare would have been unable to write any sonnets at all had he spent only the time it takes to hit one key on the typewriter.

 

In German they say "Übung macht den Meister" which would transliterate to something like "practice makes the master". :D

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I rather think he refers to the assumption that even Shakespeare would have been unable to write any sonnets at all had he spent only the time it takes to hit one key on the typewriter.

 

In German they say "Übung macht den Meister" which would transliterate to something like "practice makes the master". :D

Well, it would have been amazing if he had even been able to hit one key on any typewriter..:p:D

I not sure, however, even if it takes time to write a sonnet down, we don't know how long the creative process in his mind took.

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In addressing the OP which is in relation to equipment, ..... Nick

 

Indeed, so was the original question... I think the OP is aware that, basically, no camera can "improve" the skill of anyone...

in abstract terms, not related to any specific equpiment, I think that my photo would be improved if I had :

- A 100% sure and selective way of focusing

- The capability to use high speeds in most situations

 

But those are trivial considerations... in practical terms, I would like to have an easier way of controlling-proofing the "last mile" of the digital forkflow - from monitor to print; more specifically... I sometime think that more could be done on the papers' side... to have more kinds of paper surfaces and some finely tuned way to verify on screen the final appearance, I think could be a good improvement.

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I've been trying to spot a website that offered a set of rules, humorously declared as "a short course adopted by government bodies' on how to improve one's photos. Basically, the author suggested that the following steps be taken:

 

- Switch off autofocus

- Switch off program, aperture and speed priority automation

- Switch off flash

- Switch off multiply frame shooting

- Set the distance manually

- Set aperture and speed values manually

- Use available light

 

Paul

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Having seen innumerable posts about what modifications are needed to existing cameras/lenses/accessories, I would like to pose the bottom line question:

 

What innovation/improvement to your existing photographic equipment would actually, really, seriously, genuinely, (etc., etc.) IMPROVE your photographs?

 

With many earlier posters, IMO it's nothing to do with gears, but practice and practice with what you've got now.

 

This guys made a series of "Pro Photographer, Cheap cameras"

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Hi,

 

Chasing after the latest and greatest hardware will not improve your photography. The question we have to ask is, 'are we good enough for our current gear?'

 

Next is to ask which genre of photography are you interested in? We cannot be good in all types of photography. Work on that particular genre.

 

Lastly, instead of spending more money on gears, spend it on travelling to see and photograph new places. I always find it challenging and refreshing to photograph new destinations.

 

N.S. Ng

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My improvement in this area has been ongoing for many decades, and a journey I hope to continue. This involves studying other works of art as well as my own photographs.

 

Your very first post and already you've copied, word for word (31 words to be precise, and same punctuation), from the first paragraph of my post #19.;)

 

Jeff

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In German they say "Übung macht den Meister" which would transliterate to something like "practice makes the master". :D

 

Or in a similar phrase attributed variously to golfers Gary Player and Arnold Palmer:

 

"It's a funny thing - the more I practice, the luckier I get."

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Spending time looking at and studying as many photographs & artists impressions as possible..(from HCB to the local rag’s shutter guy)

Occasionally I see a shot/scene/situation I should have taken in a different way..

Trying not to rush in and “click” stand back and look first..not always possible at times..

but that’s photography!!;)

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Indeed, so was the original question... I think the OP is aware that, basically, no camera can "improve" the skill of anyone...

in abstract terms, not related to any specific equpiment, I think that my photo would be improved if I had :

- A 100% sure and selective way of focusing

- The capability to use high speeds in most situations

 

But those are trivial considerations... in practical terms, I would like to have an easier way of controlling-proofing the "last mile" of the digital forkflow - from monitor to print; more specifically... I sometime think that more could be done on the papers' side... to have more kinds of paper surfaces and some finely tuned way to verify on screen the final appearance, I think could be a good improvement.

 

With the latest Epson printers x900 etc together with the latest baryta papers you can print quite a lot of full adobe-rgb colors (it even exceed Adobe RGB in certain parts of the spectrum). And together with a good calibrated full adobergb screen your printouts should get very close to what you se on screen. The last 10% I got when I started to use Imageprint8. They make incredible profiles! You should also optimize your working environment(neutral grey on the wall behind the screen, 6500k lamps to view you prints etc.)

 

Some great papers:

Innova Digital Art | FibaPrint™

Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk

Innova Smooth Cotton High White

Harman Inkjet Gloss FB AL

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