What are the characteristics of a great photographer?

1. 61

   Cyber Lawyerposted 13 years ago

   What are the characteristics of a great photographer?
   
   Knowing only little about photography, I would like to know what makes some photographers stand out from the crowd. Also, I wouldn't mind hearing what distinguishes the better amateurs from the mediocre ones.

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2. 57

   foreignpressposted 13 years ago

   There are three parts to this answer. The first part is understanding the technical aspect of light and how it plays on film or a digitized image. The best photograph in the world is meaningless if it's blurred or otherwise flawed.
      The second part to this is much more difficult. It's called composition or how various elements in the photograph are arranged within a defined block of space. The truly great photographers composed their photos in a different way.
      The third part is subject and treatment of that subject.
      Putting all these elements together in a cohesive piece makes it a work of art. For example, the perfect photograph is one that needs no caption. You know exactly what it is because the photo contains everything. Very few of these exist even though hundreds of millions of photographs have been taken.
      For example, there's the classic photograph of a starving baby lying in dirt and being stalked by a vulture. The photo, taken by South African photographer Kevin Carter, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1994. There's nothing missing in that photo. No caption is necessary.

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3. 87

   alahiker28posted 13 years ago

   See my article/tutorial on what amateurs need to know.  With this caveat - I am by no means an expert, so perhaps I am the wrong person to ask.  I am probably a mediocre amateur.  But I have been with others who consider themselves experts, only to recommend a shot for which they had totally overlooked the potential. 
   
   Part of it is in knowing what to shoot.  The other part is knowing how to shoot it.  And then there is a third element which the photographer cannot control - that is who will appreciate their work (much like an artist)!

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4. 31

   fashionphotographposted 13 years ago

   To be a great photography one must have artistic mastery.  Other skills that are very important are the ability to stay on budget, the knack for making clothes look better, a great imagination, technical proficiency, business marketing and being able to work under extreme and difficult conditions.

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5. 0

   Charlinexposted 13 years ago

   Not too different from that of a great lawyer, just use a different part of the brain. Many lawyers are bored with law and seek to make the switch or take a break from law. But I must admit, sometimes it's hard to switch from one to the other instantly.

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6. 62

   tomy101posted 13 years ago

   Simple answer, A great photographer can capture the moment, like a child crying in a desolate area , or catches the emotion to tell a story in one photo. I think most people are getting better at photography with all the new camera;s out, so there is a fine line. Good Question.Ansel Adams look at his work and you will see the emotion. Take Care

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7. 77

   LuisEGonzalezposted 13 years ago

   All of the answers posted are good.
   Here is mine:
   Do you have the proper equipment, Do you have the technical understanding of your equipment to use it creatively, Do you understand the relationship between light,and photography.
   
   Finally, do you have a "creative eye", see things that others miss?
   
   You see, unless you are a descendant of Michelangelo or a similar creative genius, all of these questions can be addressed, and by researching and enlightening yourself with the various photographic genres as well as the general arts, most of it would really depend on practice and a maturing process in the medium.

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8. 0

   ghiblipgposted 12 years ago

   keep learning, keep trying, never give up, stay hungry n stay foolish....

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9. 60

   marygoroundposted 11 years ago

   A great photographer has a fantastic eye for detail and understands how to capture amazing images using their camera. They don’t just simply point and shoot. They have techniques and skills to get images that stand out. Learn how to take better photos: http://www.inst.org/photography-courses … ticles.htm

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