Came across this quote:
What do people think? Is this the prophecy that announced flickr?
Regards, Art.
I know a few photographers who, within the last decade or so, got started in the world of photography by taking a few 'lucky' shots before they had much of a clue as to what they were doing. These experiences of chance sparked them on to learn more about the history, the art and the craft of photography, and they are now doing fine work. However, I know, unfortunately, many more self-proclaimed 'photographers' who started out the same way, but went in a direction that I relate to the joke, "How many photographers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: Two. One to screw it in and the other to say, "Pfffft, I could do that!" They have no interest in how photography got to this point and really learning the craft is a waste of time to them. ("Look at my photos! What is there to learn?") I see a big difference in the quality of work between the two groups. Luck by itself is a far cry from luck combined with experience and the passion to learn.
Now when you combine Sontag's quote with a thought about Flickr, well, you may have a point there, although, there is some good work on the site. I just look at Flickr as a photographic depository.
A good friend of mine was so affected by that book that he walked away from photography for a while. He insisted that I read it - made it about 10 pages and gave it back to him, suggesting that he switch to reading Dave Barry.
"Photography is the only major art in which professional training and years of experience do not confer an insuperable advantage over the untrained and unexperienced - this for many reasons, among them the large role that chance (or luck) plays in the taking of pictures, and the bias toward the spontaneous, the rough, the imperfect."
What's to argue with? She does say "insuperable" (unsurmountable). The law of averages favours the trained and experienced for per centage of keepers, but favours the untrained and inexperienced for sheer number of shots. In other words, take enough pictures and there will be some really good ones in there somewhere!
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If I had been present at the creation, I would have given some useful hints for the better arrangement of the Universe.
Alfonso the Wise, 1221-1284
I think the quote has considerable validity to certain types of shooting such as "street" or much "PJ" work - where being in the right place at the right time is a almost a pre-condition to taking a "good" photo. Where such proximity to the photo opportunity is essential - technical proficiency is relatively less important. What is it they say about "timing being everything"?
At the same time, it would seem that the thought has little or no validity for portraiture and commercial work and similar "posed" contexts - where considerable technical training is required in a variety of areas such as lighting etc.
I think the quote has considerable validity to certain types of shooting such as "street" or much "PJ" work - where being in the right place at the right time is a almost a pre-condition to taking a "good" photo. Where such proximity to the photo opportunity is essential - technical proficiency is relatively less important. What is it they say about "timing being everything"?
At the same time, it would seem that the thought has little or no validity for portraiture and commercial work and similar "posed" contexts - where considerable technical training is required in a variety of areas such as lighting etc.
I would agree with George, to a certain extent, but I would add that being in being in the right place, at the right time, with the right gear, and the knowledge to use it, are all things that are diligently worked at, actually, worked at hard, by the PJ and street guys. The luck thing is greatly increased by "setting up" the conditions to be lucky. That's how I used to get dates with all those superfoxes.
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--J Brunner, The Prints of Darkness
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