My daughter had her first holy communion today. There were a couple of official photographers who were hired by the school to document the occasion. I watched them at the altar while they were photographing the students receiving communion.

I was wondering though why they kept on photo chimping after each and every shot they would take. It seemed like they would only take one shot. You would think that they would have gotten their exposure settings and framing right after the first two students. Besides, if they got the shot wrong how would they be able to redo it?

It got me thinking about how often I feel that I could have done the job better. Do we have other people who feel the same way?

My daughter received a certificate after the mass. Included in the certificate was a portrait of her kneeling on a pew that had been shot about a week prior. The image was evenly lit and flat. The photo was sharp. It was evenly exposed. But the lighting was generic and had no oomph.

Each time I make comments like these my wife just gives me a look that sort of says, "Pabayaan mo na. Hindi naman ikaw ang photographer."

I am pretty sure that whoever did the portrait did it to the best of his ability.

I had a conversation with a friend on a similar topic recently. He told me that ordinary people would be just fine with such an image. But I argued with him regarding this particular contention. "What about craftsmanship and pride in one's work?"

I sort of believe that we all strive to do create something better each time we capture an image.

My wife has also noticed that certain images that I see I criticize and other images I am simply quiet. She wanted to know the difference. I told her that the images that I criticize I feel could have been done better. Whenever I am quiet, I am studying how the image was done because I am admiring it.

Photography may not be my bread and butter but I know what you mean. I've tried shooting events as they happen before and it isn't easy. Things happened so fast that I forgot about lighting, etc. Sometimes, a little pride also kicks in which causes me to overlook basic stuff like ISO settings and all. I knew I could've done better if I focused enough.

Ang pinakamalala ay yung mga couples na nabawian ng precious memories. If ever I go that direction, I hope I will always remember that my job is to immortalize a solemn and a once-in-a-lifetime event. In fact, it would be great if I treated photography in such a manner all the time.

I've learned a lot about photography these past 7 months. The most important lesson that I've learned was about doing an excellent job with what I'm given. I've also learned that it takes a lot more effort to create stunning images as compared to mediocre ones. A certain guy in this forum has also made me realize that photography is less about the gear and more about making my shots count. He's already been banned but his amusing and often couterproductive comments have helped me indirectly.

That was my opinion about this topic. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Sir Jo. :)

I've learned a lot about photography these past 7 months. The most important lesson that I've learned was about doing an excellent job with what I'm given. I've also learned that it takes a lot more effort to create stunning images as compared to mediocre ones. A certain guy in this forum has also made me realize that photography is less about the gear and more about making my shots count. He's already been banned but his amusing and often couterproductive comments have helped me indirectly.

It's always the indian and never the pana :D

I gave my Ateneo Basic Photography class a lecture on composition yesterday morning. (I do hope that they have already joined DPP by this time). I was telling them that what gear they used will probably be the last thing on someone's mind when their images are being admired ten years or more from now.

I was telling them that what gear they used will probably be the last thing on someone's mind when their images are being admired ten years or more from now.

True... :)

I agree with you Jo, but sometimes we have to understand those photographers who were limited to what they think is acceptable to their customers and never think of taking the images to the next level, sa kanila basta sharp at malinaw eh ok na kasi mababayaran na sila. They are doing it for the money and they don't care what others may think of their photos except, of course, their customers. But if someone would wake up the artistic side of their brain, i know they would have done better.... and better than getting paid.
In my years in Photography... many times have i thought that i could have done a better job if i only concentrated on making better photographs and make the most of my talent and gadgets. Most often, seeing some images of my peers, that they could have done better knowing what they are capable of.
Good topic Sir JO!:)

Do you sometimes feel that you could have done it better?

All the time. For me, hindsight is always 20/20. I feel good plenty of time after a session, until I start reviewing the contact sheets. Most of the time, I'll look at an image and go, "hmmm, it would have been good if I positioned the subject like so or added a light underneath the subject, etc., etc.", or someone would say, "why didn't you do it like that?", and I'm usually, "Uhm, I didn't think of that".

Good thing is that I remember some of them for next time. Not all the time, but some times. But then again, I'll review the contacts and another thing would make them better. It just a never ending learning process.

"Do you sometimes feel that you could have done it better? "

yes I do feel the same..... and im pretty sure that there would always be other photographers who would feel that they could have done a better job with my photos.

my point is.... i have, and still am trying to learn how to concentrate on my photos and my shooting techniques more rather than criticize other photos and photographers.

like they say: you are your best critique

I know that this is not easy but I do hope that we would all learn how not to voice out if we can not say anything good at all. we wouldnt want other photographers criticizing us aswell right? not unless if its contructive.

cheers and happy shooting to everyone.

Good thing is that I remember some of them for next time. Not all the time, but some times. But then again, I'll review the contacts and another thing would make them better. It just a never ending learning process.

How I feel so relieved reading this from someone who has absolute substance! :) Thanks Nick! :)

" It just a never ending learning process." - nick espino

I definitely agree wqith nick espino..... I would also like to quote lee llamas on his write up in picture perfect, manila bulletin months ago.

""...once na naisip mo na magaling ka na, yun na ang katapusan mo" - Lee LLamas Manila Bulletin June 3, 2006

I totally agree. It's a never ending learning process. I am still learning.

If there are photographers whose works make you cringe, why not help out? If they knew better, they could do better. Maybe we can organize a free seminar/workshop for school photographers? It can be an outreach program of DPP - photographers helping photographers, so to speak.:) We can offer our studio as free venue - but portraits and school photography are not our forte, so could we have volunteers to conduct the seminar?

Maybe then, our children could have better photos. One of my daughters refuses to let anyone see her college graduation picture. Sayang, I wanted pa naman to put their grad pics in our home, Pinoy-style. :)

Personally, instead of thinking that I could do better than other photographers, I just do my own thing. They have their chances, I have mine.

I would not want to think that the client should have hired me instead of other photographers.

If there are photographers whose works make you cringe, why not help out? If they knew better, they could do better. Maybe we can organize a free seminar/workshop for school photographers? It can be an outreach program of DPP - photographers helping photographers, so to speak.:) We can offer our studio as free venue - but portraits and school photography are not our forte, so could we have volunteers to conduct the seminar?

Maybe then, our children could have better photos. One of my daughters refuses to let anyone see her college graduation picture. Sayang, I wanted pa naman to put their grad pics in our home, Pinoy-style. :)

Madame,
It is not often that I go praising anyone, most of the time, pag nagagalingan ako, shut-up lang. But I just want to say that I am feeling a genuine sense of generosity and helpfulness in your posts. Yes, I have reviewed all your post, thanks to the "find all post" function of the boards =)
Hindi po ako nasipsip madame. Nasa malayo din naman ako. I just feel happy that you are still down-to-earth kahit malayo layo na ang naabot ninyo.

Actually madami dito sa boards. Magagaling and yet still finds time post and share their techniques. Madaming magaling. But in here, what makes the good better is the willingness to share.

Pasensya na at medyo OT. Apologies to the thread author.

Tigil na ko, para na akong tatanggap ng award neto ei =)

I agree with you Jo, but sometimes we have to understand those photographers who were limited to what they think is acceptable to their customers and never think of taking the images to the next level, sa kanila basta sharp at malinaw eh ok na kasi mababayaran na sila. They are doing it for the money and they don't care what others may think of their photos except, of course, their customers. But if someone would wake up the artistic side of their brain, i know they would have done better.... and better than getting paid.


I do recognize that fact. Which is why I said that I think that the photographer did his best. :D

I have been teaching photography in the Ateneo since 1994. I'll be giving a photography related talk at UST next Tuesday (gratis et amore). I would like to thank Nick Tuason at this point for his kind donation for my talk.

If there are photographers whose works make you cringe, why not help out? If they knew better, they could do better. Maybe we can organize a free seminar/workshop for school photographers? I

wow sir jo, where will you be giving this talk? :D
i'd love to sit in from my alma matter.. :) if its possible..

nice read! and yeah in my case not just on other photograhers ( who do it just for the money ) but i've always been hard on myself, i'm never satisfied w/ my work proud of it but not satisfied i feel i can still do something to make it better, a lot of things to learn to improve craftmanship and having a unique personal style. afterall i don't do it all just to please people but i pursue excellence cause God deserves my best. just as it says on my signature i'm still learning to walk before i could fly.

sir jo, don't you think that sometimes these "hired photographers" like the ones at your daughter's communion may have just done this kind of gig so many times that they are just taking things for granted since for them its just all repetitive, I mean is it possible that all photographers in the hobby and in the profession may stumble upon a time of complacency?

Basta somewhere inside UST. I won't be the only speaker though. :D

My daughter received a certificate after the mass. Included in the certificate was a portrait of her kneeling on a pew that had been shot about a week prior. The image was evenly lit and flat. The photo was sharp. It was evenly exposed. But the lighting was generic and had no oomph.



I'm just guessing. Maybe the photographer just want to document and not to make a statement in that photograph. Most parents would want just a clear and sharp picture of their child rather than buying an artistic work of the photographer. In that case, the photographer just complied with that requirement.

Dino

My point exactly. There was no art in what should have been a very memorable photograph.

Do you sometime feel that you could have done better?

Always. I think no matter how "perfect" one may think his or her shots are, there's always a way to make it even better. IMHO, each and every photograph one takes is a lesson. :)

Do you sometime feel that you could have done better?

All the time!

Almost all the time..

Still learning here, and especially for out of town trips, I'd tell myself while browsing through my photos, "hey, why didnt I think of this.. or that.." or realize that I don't like the ones I just took, and I'd like to come back and do it again.. good thing I don't do this professionally, my clients will kill me! hehe...
I have to agree with Nel, each one is a lesson indeed. :)

always!!! sometimes to the point of frustrating myself...and i'm just an amateur!!! :D

once one becomes "satisfied" one becomes complacent...and it will show in the pics...

that's is why to me there are photographers who are the passionate ones about what they/we do, and there are photographers who have to do it because that is the only way they can make a living...

all technique and no heart...:D

Always din! Especially na I haven't got an artistic drop of blood in my body. I'm no artist kasi - I pick brains for a living - literally.

Anyways, I too realized na school photos of today have lost the glamour it once was. So last year, I bit the bullet and asked the school of my "graduating prep-daughter" and offered to take the portraits. I dont know if the shots were good but I got teary-eyed when the class presented me with an "illustration board of appreciation" for taking the trouble to come up with a much "presentable" pic for their empty frames at home ;-)

I enjoyed going through this thread, salamat!

sir jo, don't you think that sometimes these "hired photographers" like the ones at your daughter's communion may have just done this kind of gig so many times that they are just taking things for granted since for them its just all repetitive, I mean is it possible that all photographers in the hobby and in the profession may stumble upon a time of complacency?

True. I was once had a conversation with my former boss about another co-photographer. I mentioned to him how hard it was to get the other guy to try alternative methods and techniques.

My boss told me that my co-photographer was pretty good at what he does. But he was just too complacent to want to progress further.