Newbie with a Question about "having an eye"

[Alikat]

Hey all, big time lurker still trying to decide on my first DSLR, currently shooting with just a G9...anyways, that aside, I'm looking for feedback about "having an eye".

There are a LOT of people in this digital age that "take photos", photos of their kids, at parties, events, etc. What, in your opinion, makes certain photographers/photography stand out? Is it the moments they capture? Is it really the equipment and the apeture/shutter speed that makes those certain photos stand out? What is it about photos (given that poor ones can be digitally enhanced/changed) that makes someone's photography stand out from the crowd?

I have been looking through many photos on here and some I "get" and some I dont "get" as far as "artistic" or why a certain moment is captured, but I guess it simply leads me to think that its perhaps an artistic preference rather than an "eye". I'm not sure. I don't understand, from my own view, why people I meet or people that see MY photos think I have an "eye" for photography...I don't think of mine as any better or different than so many others.

Guess I'm just looking for perspectives on this...? Anyone have a perspective to share?

[Sam]

Exposure and composition make the shot for me.

There are a lot of different styles out there but none of the top tier photographers in any one style ignore those two things. Even heavily manipulated images need to have a good composition and a good starting exposure. The definition of "good" can be different from photographer to photographer though.

[gonzogolf]

I think there are a lot of factors involved. The first is having an aptitude for seeing things photographically. By that I mean the abiilty to see something and make decisions about what should be inlcuded, what shouldnt, what angle to approach something to create the desired image. Technique and equipment are then applied to help you realize that. There is no single vision or apptitude in that there are as many ways to see something and record it as there are photographers. Some people are into documentation, they want to record what they shoot literally. Others veer totally into abstraction. Most of us are somewhere in between. The goal is to shoot what you see and feel and let others react.

[FlyingPhotog]

It's the ability to generate an image that hooks the viewer on an emotional level with either the subject or the way in which the subject is presented. There are many impactful images from history that (from a purely technical standpoint) are nothing more than snapshots but the subject is gut wrenching. There are also finely crafted images of mundane everyday objects that can take your breath away.

If you can't get the viewer to connect, IMO, you've failed.

[crn3371]

As far as "artistic" shots are concerned, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some shots I get, others I don't. Some people just seem to have a knack, or eye, for taking good photos. Some people, despite all the gear in the world, can't take anything other than a snapshot. You can hone your skills, learn all the fundamentals and technique, but in the end I think you either have it or you don't. I have decent gear, feel that I have a good understanding of exposure and technique, but never do I think of myself as an artist. My daughter on the other hand, who is an artist, can take pictures with her cell phone or with her point and shoot that make my jaw drop.

[Veemac]

...I have been looking through many photos on here and some I "get" and some I dont "get" as far as "artistic" or why a certain moment is captured, but I guess it simply leads me to think that its perhaps an artistic preference rather than an "eye". I'm not sure. I don't understand, from my own view, why people I meet or people that see MY photos think I have an "eye" for photography...I don't think of mine as any better or different than so many others.

Guess I'm just looking for perspectives on this...? Anyone have a perspective to share?
The "eye" is such a subjective thing that I think it's hard to say yea or nay once you get beyond a basic level (i.e. crappy snapshots). Some people will rave over a certain image, while it leaves others completely cold. Some think the 45-degree "angle shots" look cool, while others begin retching involuntarily upon seeing one. Just like most any other art, there are few absolutes and a lot of gray area that's entirely at the whim of the viewer's interpretation.

I've never bought into the "You've got it or you don't" theory as an absolute. I'm sure there are people with greater or lesser innate ability in that regard, but I also think it can become a learned skill with practice and study.

[Absolutely Fabulous]

I've never bought into the "You've got it or you don't" theory as an absolute. I'm sure there are people with greater or lesser innate ability in that regard, but I also think it can become a learned skill with practice and study.

harder to learn then technical details though

[KCMO Al]

Alikat,
Take some time to study the work of people considered the "best." I studied fine arts in university and you can learn alot about composition from studying paintings. Just look at an image you like and figure out what it is that you like. Depending on what you like to shoot, I'd recommend looking at Ansel Adams images for landscapes, Henri Cartier-Bresson for street and photojournalism. Cartier-Bresson is famous for his statement about "the decisive moment." Go to a bookshop or library and just browse images. There are many, many books. Even family shots benefit from having pleasing compositions. And be prepared to experiment.
One of the things most D-SLRs give you is a very brief lag-time. This is a major advantage over P&S cameras. It means you can watch your subject and take the picture at (close to) the precise time when the facial expression or other action is at the peak.

[mathogre]

Hi Alikat! I'll take a slightly different approach, given that I have a G9 myself and have migrated from that to an XSi, though I still use and enjoy my G9. (Full disclosure: My first SLR was a Pentax K1000, a fully manual film SLR.)

There are two reactions I typically have when I look at others' photos that help me improve my photography, if only indirectly. One is the "Wow!" reaction. The other is the, "Gee, I'd like to take a photo like that," reaction. Let those drive you. They'll take you where you want to be. Let them give you the proverbial itch to learn how to take that type of photo. There's work involved in learning how to take certain types of photos. Luckily for you, your G9 is a fine camera that will help you go many places of your choosing.

As regards "having an eye," I don't know. I don't worry too much about others' opinions. Everyone can think a particular style is great. Trust your own judgment. If folks like what you do, you're probably doing well. Accept it. :D

In the end, you should enjoy photography. As long as you're doing that, you'll do fine.

[DStanic]

Having an interesting subject is more important then anything. If you are having fun shooting something, then it is probably going to be better then something you find boring.

Currently I feel that my photography is ubber garbage, cause I have nothing interesting to shoot. It is winter (but not a "pretty" white snowy winter- just wet and crappy out, with very little sun) and I spend alot of time in my apartment with nothing interesting to shoot. This doesn't bother me however, because the same thing happened last year and the year before. Once sping comes I feel alive again, and my photography is alive as well.

I don't know if I "have an eye" for photography, I do know I have some good shots and love playing with gear and the science behind it all, so that's all that matters to me.

[Alikat]

I love the variety of answers (and even the non-answers) posted in here. I so LOVE bringing out an emotional response in a photo, but there are, as Mathogre says, those photos that make me say "wow" and those that make me yearn to try to duplicate the shot for myself. I have a knack for capturing moments is all I will "accept" for now, there is much more to learn as far as the "gear and the science" as DStanic indicated, which I love...and I am immersing myself in completely.

KCMOAL: I will definitely check some of those out, thank you so much. My father was an artist so I grew up surrounded by art books he would bring into the house and as an aspiring dancer when I was young and throughout my teen years, have never gone long without some kind of "art" in my life...so anything new to add to my inspiration is fantastic, thank you.

DStantic: I am very lucky to be immersed in greenery nearly all year on the west coast of Canada and having a daughter that plays soccer allows me to shoot a ton outdoors whether I'm motivated to be outside that day or not, she HAS to be...and my 7 year old wants to be a model and a fashion designer, so I have a built in "happy volunteer" anytime I want so long as I allow her many wardrobe changes...and then there are my two dogs and two cats, that, when I'm lucky, will sit still for two seconds in that "perfect" natural light and allow me to take the shot. :)

Thank you again everyone, your responses have been most enjoyable to read (so far!).