Poll on what makes a good photog. Luck, Money or Skill

I think it's:
70% skill
20% luck
10% gear

But I feel that any picture is 50% composition, 40% lighting, 10% camera setup, so you can extrapolate that into the terms of the poll if you wish.

grego wrote in post #2428295
Oooh and, this is digital, so be unconvential. You can shoot and screw up all you want. SO take chances!!

At least till you get criticized for 'shooting too much' because certain people feel that you should shoot 'like the film days', even if they may not say it outright..

All it is, is light, geez how complicated can it be!? Heheh, anyways, I think it's understanding the photography aspects that make good pictures. I can take a whole lot better picture of my friend when I can setup everything, and they actually want to have their picture taken, and I think I take better pictures than those paparazzi with their expensive cameras and celebrities as subjects.

1. I *get* myself to the right place at the right time, when I can. Planning is important.
2. I have decent equipment.
3. I have some skill.

But I have to go with:
4. Excellent Photoshop Skills.

Lightstream wrote in post #2428728
At least till you get criticized for 'shooting too much' because certain people feel that you should shoot 'like the film days', even if they may not say it outright..

Even in film days you'd screw up. It's just, it would cost you more money. I did enough of that, especially with photo paper.

I think that skill and equipment can get you up to the point of consistently producing high quality images-- ie the difference between someone who ocassionally gets a good shot and someone who shoot for a living. Luck comes into play in that intagible space between very good and spectacular: you just can't always go out and shoot a Pulitzer prize winning shot, or whatever, because you need the situation, location, etc to present itself. That's luck, and it's that element that seperates photography from less grounded artistic mediums, I think. If you're making a painting, and what a spectacular sky, then by golly, just paint it in. If you're taking pictures, that doesn't work quite so well.

Skill > Money > Luck

In my opinion and experience, the percentages are closer to 80% skill, 10% luck, 10% money. Skill (experience) tells me where to stand to get the light the way I want it, which lens to use to get the background correct or what speed and F-stop to shoot for the only lens in my bag. Anyone can buy expensive equipment and anyone can shoot a ton of pics hoping for one good one but the skilled will always shine.

Luck is when opportunity meets preparation!