Avoiding Obvious Shots a Good Idea?

[Golem]

I'm thinking of looking for more shots that aren't obvious, like photos where only part of the body appears, or only a shadow. Is this something I would have picked up if I had been industrious enough to read more about photography?

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Noooooo !!! DO NOT read that crap. Your aesthetic intentions seem wonderfully adventurous ! More reading about photography is a terrible idea. The contents of such books is all counterproductive, and even toxic, to your intent. Better to read some fiction or biographies.

 

[DanOstergren]

I really love the shot of your son in the first post. The perspective is fun and different, to your point of less obvious shots.

That said, I think there is a place for the more obvious shots as well, both in terms of creating photos that someone could cherish for different reasons than what makes the less obvious shots great, as well as for learning purposes. I personally have always been a fan of posed portraits, and over the many years that I've been doing it my personal style has evolved around that genre/style. I recommend letting your wife take photos the way she likes and to not be too harsh if her work strays from what you like personally. She should be given the chance to create images in a way that she wants and is drawn to. Creativity thrives with freedom, and developing a personal style often means going through those “obvious” stages too. I think folks should be given the freedom to create in a way that feels natural for them in order to develop their own style, but a little encouragement from you for her to try new things certainly can't hurt either.

 

[21limited]

Ya bottom line, take any shot that appeals to you, sort out if it meets your standards later. You never know what you may find interesting in post.

 

[Politically Incorrect]

I have to keep reminding my wife of certain things in order to prevent her from wrecking photos. For example, I have to tell her to quit posing. If I see her and my son doing something that would make a good photo, and she sees me, she will start trying to arrange a pose that looks like it came with a wallet.

Similarly, I am learning that I have missed good photos by being too obvious. Sometimes it's better to skip shooting the obvious picture.

Today my son was getting cleaned up, and I took the attached shot with the phone while he was in the utility sink. I think it's much better than most of the more-inclusive shots I've taken, where more of him is visible. I took three shots, and I like this one best because his mouth is not clearly seen. It's funnier this way. I think it would be better if his mouth were not visible at all.

I'm thinking of looking for more shots that aren't obvious, like photos where only part of the body appears, or only a shadow. Is this something I would have picked up if I had been industrious enough to read more about photography?

I lowered the babies head so you can't see his mouth...
and "less is more": Ludwig Mies van de Rohe

William, next time you photograph him having a bath, remove the curly hose, and the sponges
and the grey tray. Also push the water outlet jigger right back against the wall... they are
all distracting elements.

Regards,

Alan.