What kind of photographer are you?

[Crazy Dave]

For me at least, one of the most thought-provoking commentators on photography today is Guy Tal who among other things specialises in retreating to the American wilderness.

This month’s post is especially interesting and raises some fundamental issues about how we approach photography. I’d be very interested in hearing your views. Here’s the link: https://guytal.blog/

David

[blu-by-u]

Jack of all trades and master of none. Things I have not gotten, just to name a few, lightning, water drops, smoke trails, nudes (won't do that), underwater.....

[blackfox]

I’m just a grumpy old photo taker full of aches and pains .. with a penchant for wildlife . But will try anything unlike Henry above I’ve done the underwater , and nudes but none of the others he mentions…

I can’t seem to see the picture with landscape ,and since covid rarely go into cities or crowded places .quite limiting really

[blu-by-u]

nudes My better half don't allow anyway.

Coming around to those aches and pains. That's why I stop macro of insects and spiders. after going down, I am starting to need help in getting back up

[blackfox]

Ah Henry that was in my carefree youth , but if I wanted to my wife would not object .. and like yourself I wonder why I have a macro it’s not been on the camera this year ,getting up from low down is challenging to say the least

[Ian]

Jack of all trades sums me up 😅 Though I'm quite technical with it. I think I'm quite good at people photography, like you, Dave, when I get the chance!

Ian

[Crazy Dave]

Jack of all trades sums me up 😅 Though I'm quite technical with it. I think I'm quite good at people photography, like you, Dave, when I get the chance!

Ian

I'm very interested in what Tal is suggesting. Here are the opening lines of the post, I think it's quite provocative and probably somewhat dismissive of his second group.

"Some photographers make photographs spontaneously in response to, or as visual expressions of, meaningful life experiences. Other photographers do the opposite: they plan their experiences specifically with the goal of making photographs. The former group—which I will refer to as “experience-first” photographers—are a small minority of which I am a proud member. The second group—which I will refer to as “photograph-first” photographers—make up the great majority of photographers."

I suppose what I'm really asking is after reading the blog to the end, will it change anyone's approach to their photography? I tend to relate more to his first category in that I prefer the random over the planned and for what I do, the experience is as important as the photograph. Naughty Nigel of blessed memory, swore by the Ralph Gibson "point of departure" mantra, Gibson was told this was the way to go by Dorothea Lange and has adhered to it ever since. She also said "knowing ahead of time what you're looking for means that then only photographing your own preconceptions, which is very limiting". Unless I'm mistaken, the good lady contradicted herself, I find this all rather fascinating.


David

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Very much a technical photographer. I can work for hours setting up a shot and enjoy it, but have no patience to sit waiting for a creature to condescend and do its thing, for me to photograph.

Now I mostly photograph people in studios and on location, building portfolios for people etc..

[MJ224]

FWIW, I love Wildlife Photography. I do like a walk too, so I don't tend to stay in one location for too long.

I also like using the 12-100mm for "scenes" that I come across when with family and friends. Never after perfection, which is just as well...:-)

[wanderer]

Scattergun approach. I'll shoot anything.
I do like landscape and in particular panoramas.
I'm also into nature, flowers are fun and identifying them a challenge. I know my birds reasonably but flowers are a different order of magnitude.
I'm slowly getting the hang of the 'big white' in respect of birds.
Having worked in architecture for over 40 years I seem to 'pick up' on a structure quite easily.
I did do a nude shoot with the camera club once. The model was cool, calm and collected. Me, I was all hot and bothered and my pictures were rubbish. Never again.
People are difficult to photograph. I'm better than I was but I don't think that's saying much.

[Tram]

Travel which often includes Art Deco or Modernist architecture and transport especially older Trams, no interest at all in wildlife or people.

If I was younger Urbex would definitely feature, but I fear these days the security people would capture me quite easily.

[Keith-369]

It's basically nature all the way for me. Birds, insects, animals (but not pets), flowers, etc. etc.
I will do some scenery if on holiday and inside old buildings but these are mainly for personal memories.
Nudes?? ...... I wish 🙄🙄

[DerekC]

I picked up my first camera because of my love of motorsport, motorcycles initially. These days my photography is split between motorsport, aviation, steam railways, with a bit of wildlife.
A few some rail and aviation re-enactment events. which can be very interesting and get you closer to these subjects than normal.
I don't really do landscapes or architecture other than as record of a visit.
Nude I have done, it was a lighting session with a a brilliant photographer and a very good model. I didn't go down to well at home!

I'm not really a photographer who carries a camera just in case, there is normally a plan, and the camera bag will be packed accordingly.

[Harold Gough]

I mostly do macro because it is accessible and I am interested in the subjects. I used to do quite a lot of landscapes, architecture and general touristy subjects but don't travel anymore. I include groups crowds of people and suchlike but not individuals and certainly not posed.

Harold

[MikeOxon]

The natural world is my main interest but I believe that the camera is only the start of a process and that post-processing plays an important role in producing the final image.

[kazandlee]

In order of preference, Landscape, Wildlife, Long exposure, Lunar and anything else I haven't yet tried. I am quite patient, I don't get frustrated if I come back with no keepers, for me its a hobby and the day I get frustrated or impatient with it you will see my gear here for sale as it will no longer be enjoyable.

[Crazy Dave]

Ah but…………. The question was not what do you photograph but what kind of photographer are you as posed in Guy Tal’s blog.

And does it matter? The answer is probably no, unless you’re a blogger trying to differentiate himself.

That said, I do have a certain degree of sympathy with Tal given the number of photographers I’ve seen who have travelled all the way to places like the Red Canyon in the States only to return with nigh on identical shots

David

PS what did happen to Naughty Nigel?

[MJ224]

Naughty Nigel decided to go his own way. Shame, as his opinionated views were interesting and provoked discussion...

[Jax]

Naughty Nigel stopped posting on here because he was sick of the nasty sarcastic comments aimed at him. Yes he did have "opinionated views" but his views were seldom wrong. Nigel's departure is indeed a great loss to this forum. He is a very practical honest person with a wealth of experience in most topics.