What makes a good photograph?

In your view

When you read through the threads in the 'Just images' lounge,
the general reply to a picture post is 'great pics'. And yet, all too
often, it is clear to see that the poster is being more than kind.

Some people on here, Hugo, DGRover, Paintergirl & Fraser to name
just four, post some superb and yes truely great pics.

Others, and I would be so bold as to include myself in this, post
some better than average but not what you would call great pics
whilst many post some quite poor quality photos.

All of these are greeted by 'great pics' from many

I just wondered why? What is your criteria? Is it simply that someone
was brave enough to post? Is it simply that you like the subject of
the picture. Or is there a discerning eye being employed that can see
the skill that went into creating a truely great pic? Or is it simply
trying to be kind, not knowing how to say 'that's not very good really'?

Just wondered?

a great picture is one that contains naked ladies

First Gibbo, thank you for including me in the list That's an honour!

I think that we are all very kind basically It would be soul destroying if someone posted a pic and was told that is was rubbish - so being the nice folk we are we say "great pics"!

To me less is more. I try not to post too many similar pics - it would be like painting the same picture.

In composition too - keep it simple. Often for me the impact is colour - that's just the way I see things.

And taking time to set up a shot, instead of just shooting away happily. Out of 100 photos I take I maybe use 1 or 2!!!

And art is a very subjective thing, difficult for people to be objective about. What I like, you may not

Originally Posted by Lookin' 4 Ferdi

a great picture is one that contains naked ladies

Hell, why did I bother with the long version

Originally Posted by Lookin' 4 Ferdi

a great picture is one that contains naked ladies

Absolutely.

But as well as that, it has to convey the message that it was made to tell. It doesn't really matter what the quality is like as long as the image is in line with the subject matter. That said, a picture taken in the dark without a flash and with a fast shutter speed is going to be pretty useless, but slow down the shutter and get a silhouette - that's fine. As the old saying goes; a picture tells a 1000 words.

Originally Posted by paintergirl

Hell, why did I bother with the long version

I like to try and keep things simple

Without wishing to sound like a bit of a snob, I totally agree with you Gibbo.

But instead of saying "That's nothing special", or anything similarly negative, I won't post. Unless of course, a photo or set of images are particularly stunning.
But even then, I might not reply.
You just can't read me!

Originally Posted by bobda

Without wishing to sound like a bit of a snob, I totally agree with you Gibbo.

But instead of saying "That's nothing special", or anything similarly negative, I won't post. Unless of course, a photo or set of images are particularly stunning.
But even then, I might not reply.
You just can't read me!

Didn't you own a Volvo ??

Well that kind of takes you out of the picture so to speak in having an appreciative eye

A bit of red draws the eye in, (not pink).
I could not believe I was asked to post pics of my Croma, perhaps they had never knowingly seen one. In fact I'm not sure why car pictures are posted ever. Plenty on italiaspeed.com if you don't know what they look like.

Whilst it is subjective, there are standards that, if a picture fits them, they tend to be a good picture and if not, they are not.

I too find it difficult to be blunt in a post and tend to either say nothing or 'thanks for posting' but I think we do little but a disservice by saying 'great pics' when they clearly are not. So many of the would be contestants on the X-Factor have been told they are 'great singers' at some time by someone who was just trying to be kind. As a result the whole nation suffers

You can't improve if you don't know you're not very good

Originally Posted by Gibbo

You can't improve if you don't know you're not very good

Constructive criticism.

Originally Posted by chrisd_b

Didn't you own a Volvo ??

Two, in fact.

Originally Posted by bobda

Two, in fact. :bow:

Isn't that like saying..........................

I must admit, I only comment when I am impressed. I am on a lot of art sites where folk gain status based on the amount of comments they get and solicit for them.

I might look and not comment rather than put a meaningless* comment on them

*in as much as I wouldn't really mean "great" etc.

All well and good points, Mr G, but as this is a car-based forum and not a photographic one, it wouldn't be fair of people to start criticising too harshly (if at all).

Even as a photographic judge, it behooves one not to slap an effort down entirely, but to point out ways to improve a composition, or to better one's technique. One hopes not to dissuade the photographer from continuing in his/her quest for finer image-making.

And although there certainly are those here that are very talented artistically, it would still be out of place to judge too freely - unless, of course, genuine criticism were being sought.

Sorry for rambling.

Well I personally think that my photography is utterly crap, and would more than welcome people telling me how I can improve rather than saying 'great' or nothing.
Please feel free to go back to any of my pictures and offer the constructive criticism that you have previously felt constrained from.