The 'Artistic Blur' vs Technical Skill Debate

[dzstudios]

My sixpence, for what its worth:

I'm a graphic designer/artist/photographer my husband an 'old school' (read: technically anal) photographer - together we successfully satisfy a myriad of clients, from muzos to merchant banks and one thing has been proven time and time again:

You can have the best 'eye' for arty composition (me), the most creative, fresh approach to a brief (me), but unless you can execute a technically perfect - and I mean flawless -photograph under ANY crappy conditions (hubby!) you're just another creative person with a camera. (me!) (I'm better than him in broad daylight, promise!)

We have often produced “arty” photographs with great response from clients, as debated in another post

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=142737 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=142737)

but, truthfully...?

I use all sorts of 'arty' techniques because unlike hubby, I CANT produce acceptable quality images in 'concert conditions' without a flash, so I'm one of the monkeys at the front, blinding everyone, taking clinically lit, atmosphere-free shots ('saved' only with 'arty effects' or photoshop)....

...whilst hubby, with his SUPERIOR skills, fast lenses, NO FLASH and steady hands blow everyone away with images filled with atmosphere, movement and not a fuzzy or unfocused pixel in sight!

I've killer photoshop skills, and that makes up for a lot. But where photoshop/arty techniques RESCUE my photos, they elevate hubby's pix to slick, glossy perfection… And he cooks! (hope he doesn't read this - wont hear the end of it!)

I agree with guys like DwightMcCann that arty has its place but at the end of the day, it only takes you to a point: the guy with the technical skills will bring the money home EVERY time. And is that not why we are submitting our work for critism by our peers? Are we not aiming for all-round perfection on every level?



To illustrate, the point: a selection of shots from an event hubby and I, covered together - view the whole set on www.d-z.co.uk/tidy (http://www.d-z.co.uk/tidy)




The client paid handsomely for each shot on here - loved them to bits...BUT...

“Perfect” shots by hubby: no flash, handheld f/1.8 (post production work - 0.0 hours)
http://www.d-z.co.uk/tidy/previews/1243.tif
"Anne Savage @ Tidy & Extreme Euphoria Heaven, London"

http://www.d-z.co.uk/tidy/previews/1252.tif
Tidy Boys & Anne Savage

__________ and some “Arty” Shots by Me - Clients Loved It (actually, its too blurred, and a comps of several different images, photoshop filters etc., post production work...2+ hours)


http://www.d-z.co.uk/tidy2006/originals/253.jpg

http://www.d-z.co.uk/tidy2006/originals/271.jpg

[Steve Parr]

If a client is happy, that's what matters.

If a photographer does not yet have clients, the photographer must put himself (or herself) in the best possible position to attract clients.

Having only one style of shot is limiting.

If the photographer is not interested in attracting clients, then it doesn't matter...

[awad]

ugh. how did i get dragged into another topic?!

[Steve Parr]

ugh. how did i get dragged into another topic?!

I don't know, as it doesn't appear that either of the preceding posts were directed at you.

But since you're here, please, comment...

[dzstudios]

ugh. how did i get dragged into another topic?!

Hey sorry dude! Its the same topic... I'm just a bit dumb with the posting etiquette stuff...! I'll improve, promise!

[awad]

dont apologize, im sorry for getting worked up over nothing.

anyways, the one thing thats true with low light photography is that if you dont have good equipment, you're going to have a harder time getting good shots. right now, my only lens that i can use in low light without a flash is my 50mm f/1.8. so, rather than not take photographs of things i enjoy, i've adapted to using the flash and using different "artsy" techniques, and while these techniques might not be acceptable to professional photographers, the fact remains that i am not a professional. i dont get paid for my photos. im doing this strictly for fun. its understandable that when you get paid, that you should produce more technical shots, but as for now...i'm content with my photos.

[Screamer]

I agree with Steve in that in the end it really comes down to what the client wants.

Being that I mainly shoot performance artists, I think the photographer who is a hybrid between a dead accurate sniper with a keen eye for composition and somebody with creative/arsty skills is the person I would want shooting me.

Speaking for argument's sake only. Many of my most used shots are very sharp, but the comments I receive most are about the conveyed emotion or mood of my work. Sharpness only takes you so far when you are trying to differentiate yourself. I kind of think of it as a requirement of the trade. I think that being flexible in your skillset as a photographer is analogous to just having more tools at your disposal to create with.

I would use your's and your husband's skills to the max and exploit each other's strengths. From what you have shared, I think that is exactly what your are already doing and I would continue to take advantage of it.

[René Damkot]

Nice shots, but 1st 2nd and last *are* flashed IMO...

[DwightMcCann]

Did I hear my name, again! Hey, HE needs a 300mm f/2.8L IS USM! SHE needs to come help me with my nonexistent-PS skills. I love the first image but the rest don't seem to have the "snap" I like. I would dearly love to have a graphic artist partner ... have you looked at my crappy collages? Thank you for contributing a sensible, feminine and succinct view to this discussion (I don't thinkit is a debate!) Courtney, another of the fairer sex, also sliced through the butter: "Damned if you do, damned if you don't!" So, what do we say to those with lesser equipment or talent to make feel appreciated and supported for their efforts while not loosing our professional/artistic integrity?

[dzstudios]

Hey, HE needs a 300mm f/2.8L IS USM! ..... So, what do we say to those with lesser equipment or talent to make feel appreciated and supported for their efforts while not loosing our professional/artistic integrity?

NOW you've done it! I am also in charge of the budget (like a good woman should) and HE has been promising the earth and the moon, and even threatened to withdraw his mechanical skills (I fall off my motorcycle a lot) if only I'd let him (and the credit card) loose on the IS L-lens catalogue.... Now that YOU've said it, how can I resist any longer??

My advice to guys who don't feel appreciated for trying and who may lack equipment or talent:

Work for corporates, talk clever, use a lot of blue hue and charge exorbitant rates.

It is a fact that the more 'prestigious' the outfit, the blinder they are to real quality and throw money at anything with a label reading "edgy" (aka dodgy composition) or "dynamic" (aka blurred) or "powerful" (aka blue) or "synergetic" (aka blue).

Throw in a few pictures of globes, handshakes and stacks of coins and you have yourself a lucrative career.

THEN - buy yourself the kit you need with all the money.

THEN in your free time, take real pictures and submit them to forums like these to be picked at, mulled over, trashed or heralded. And learn, learn, learn.

:lol:

[DwightMcCann]

Hey, SHE, did you read my life story thread on here somewhere!? That's exactly correct about getting ahead! :-) BTW, once HE has that 300mm f/2.8L he will probably need the 400mm f/2.8L, Gitzo carbon fiber legs, leveling head and full Wimberley head. Honest, it is what all the "big boys" use!

OK, I went searching around and found D-Z Studios in the UK (naturally, being a man I didn't simply click on the URL in the sig.) They have a strange website with tiny graphics ... but there are images in the gaphics that I recognize from POTN. So, SHE and HE are both here. This is fun.

[Curtis N]

dzstudios,

I really appreciate you sharing your insights. My wife and I are a similar matchup. She's creative and imaginative, I'm technically anal. On a good day, we can learn from each other. Most days, though, I'm thankful we each have our own camera.

One thing is certain: When you reach the point where you want people to buy your pictures, it changes (or should change) your whole thought process, during the shooting as well as the editing and processing.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Having not read any of the prior threads discussions..

I love this post :)

A great well rounded description of the Right Brained vs. Left Brained aspects of photography when applied to a spcific (and difficult) type of shooting.

It's the duality of photography that has me so hooked,. :)

[DwightMcCann]

So, Cyber, is that avatar a Linux refridgerator?

[CyberDyneSystems]

:lol: .. Self Portrait..