Is Photography More Luck than Skill?

[21limited]

Obviously genre makes a difference, in technique

Goes without saying.

If I shot only single frame, I’d still be shooting my k-5 from more than 10 years ago. That being said many of my flower images are single frame as were my 4x5 view camera images from 60 years ago. It’s not that I can’t. It’s that since digital, I don’t really see the point. What anyone else does, I don’t care. It’s none of my business, until they intimate maybe they are more skilled because they shoot single frame. Limiting myself to single frame shooting would mean losing out on a lot. of photography. But I do it when appropriate.
Like today on my walk.

Afew taken with my LUmix FZ100 on my afternnon walk

From the garden. 2025-05-27 by Norm Head, on Flickr Wildflowers from the bush. 2025-05-27 by Norm Head, on Flickr 2025-05-27 by Norm Head, on Flickr FZ100 1 inch sensor. ƒ5,6

www.thephotoforum.com

Or on macro, or lanscape. But anything that might move, like people who might blink or lick thier lips. Fair enough if you don’t shoot things that move. However, that’s not using the camera to it’s full capability. It’s not a crime, but for some of us, we can’t imagine only shooting static subjects. That’s surprising. I’ve pushed every camera I’ve ever owned to the limits of what it can do.

 

[smoke665]

Totally. So many different styles, experiences, cameras, tastes and abilities here. Afraid I bristle when anyone starts getting proscriptive in total ignorance of others. YMMV, as always.

Yup - Suum cuique! Hard to grasp for some

 

[greybeard]

It is definitely both. The more you shoot, the better your chances of getting a one in a million shot. I take a camera with me just about every time I leave the house. You won't get that lucky shot if you don't have a camera with you. And, the more you shoot the higher your skill level.

 

[DanOstergren]

Goes without saying.

If I shot only single frame, I’d still be shooting my k-5 from more than 10 years ago. That being sid many of my flower images are singgle frame as were my 4x5 view camera images from 60 years ago. It’s not that I can’t. It’s that since digital, I don’t really see the point. What anyone else does, I don’t care. It’s none of my business, util they intimate maybe theya re more skilled because they shoot single frame. Limiting myself to single frame shooting would mean losing out on a lot. of photography. But I do it when appropriate.
Like today on my walk.

Afew taken with my LUmix FZ100 on my afternnon walk

From the garden. 2025-05-27 by Norm Head, on Flickr Wildflowers from the bush. 2025-05-27 by Norm Head, on Flickr 2025-05-27 by Norm Head, on Flickr FZ100 1 inch sensor. ƒ5,6

www.thephotoforum.com

Or on macro, or lanscape. But anything that might move, like people who might blink or lick thier lips. Fair enough if you don’t shoot things that move. HOwever, that’s not using the camera to it’s full capability. It’s not a crime, but for some of us, we can’t imagine only shooting static subjects. That’s surprising. I’ve pushed every camera I’ve ever owned to the limits of what it can do.

Personally, when it comes to portrait photography (which is all I do and what I do for a living) I couldn't imagine shooting in burst mode. I absolutely hate culling through hundreds/thousands of images, and would much rather spend a little more effort during the session in order to take less photos that need to be sorted through after the session.

 

[KJ_North]

Yup, I can't take canonical pronouncements. What works, works--simply put. All my cameras are set to single shot which suits my style. Don't shoot birds, bunnies or any wildlife--zero interest.

Thats the dilemma with birds. Single shot is great when they are perched somewhere. But of course flying is another animal which requires higher FPS shooting as well as much higher shutter speeds. It's the shutter speeds I dont adjust quick enough and then I get hit with higher ISO's when i could have lowered the speed back down. But as many have said it's also increasing your skill level. Shooting birds for me has become a real interest and through practice I am trying to improve my skills but a long way to go still. But again thats the fun of it.

 

[KJ_North]

It is definitely both. The more you shoot, the better your chances of getting a one in a million shot. I take a camera with me just about every time I leave the house. You won't get that lucky shot if you don't have a camera with you.

That is so true, you just never know when an opportunity will present itself

 

[21limited]

That is so true, you just never know when an opportunity will present itself

And unfortuately, most of us have memories of shots we missed. “I coulda been a contenda."
Capabiliteis are built into cameras for the people who use them. Burst mode has impressed many photographers since the days of film and the F-4. But I also see people still shooting with the black cloth over their heads and view cameras. There’s room for everyone. Honestly, if I didn’t need burst mode and shoot wildlife and birds, I’d be shooting a 645. Best tool for the job and all that.

 

[Juor]

It's all of the above, sometimes luck sometimes preparation and sometime perspiration and then like the very famous photographer from the 40s said, "It's a good year when you get maybe 4 good ones"

 

[Don Fischer]

I think at times luck certainly enters into it. Years ago, 1995, I found an old house that really turned me on. shot it with my Yashica 635 off a tripod. In those days i always took two shots but don't know the it was necessary anymore. Second shot I took the sun came out while I was getting set up and the shot was a wow! Made "Talking Picture's" in shutter bug magazine. Point it I had no clue the sun coming out could make that much difference. And since then I',ve learned the sun coming out can also ruin a good shot. Just depends on the direction the sun comes from. Since that day with the old house I have really started paying attention to the sun a lot more! The old house, Ira monger Ranch near Fossil, Oregon.

 

[21limited]

It's all of the above, sometimes luck sometimes preparation and sometime perspiration and then like the very famous photographer from the 40s said, "It's a good year when you get maybe 4 good ones"

Ain’t it the truth. I think Ansel Adams said 1 a month was excellent.

 

[Grandpa Ron]

Luck - Important to recognize it.
Knowing your gear - Important for speed and confidence.
Selecting the right spot - Well, there are more Polar bears up North than at the equator.
Recognizing potential - When your focus is wildlife, it is easy to ignore the scenic vista.
Skill - Something that is usually acquired by exposure to, and learning from, the previous three.

 

[KJ_North]

At the end of the day, I come home look at what I got and what i missed, then I try to think about what did I forget to do when I was out there. Maybe didnt adjust the speed enough, Or didnt watch the ISO value sky rocket etc. This way the more I think the more I might remember and doing something better next time out. I think the one thing few of us mentioned was the weather..... Lately every time I go out it has been overcast etc forcing me into higher ISO then I would like, or the light is coming from the wrong direction etc. Often with weather it ties our hands a bit and we end up making due with what we have to work with. But again for me it is just relaxing getting out and taking a stroll a great photo is just a side benefit of enjoying a fun hobby.

 

[21limited]

It takes me 20 minutes to go thorugh 200-300 images. You do these things, like anything else, it’s a skill. You do it faster as you do it more. Now I Just delete all the images between keepers. Sometimes 30 in a single keystroke. But this isn’t new for me. Back with film, I’d shoot 10 rolls ( single shots) on a 10 day canoe trip and come back with 240 images maybe 20 or 30 of which would go into an album.

 

[KJ_North]

It takes me 20 minutes to go thorugh 200-300 images. You do these things, like anything else, it’s a skill. You do it faster as you do it more. Now I Just delete all the images between keepers. Sometimes 30 in a single keystroke.

I process the same way, do a quick review and keep track of the photo numbers I want and delete the rest. I just look for clarity or maybe unusual pose etc on wildlife. I often come home with about a 1,000 images but can go through them all easily in under 30 mins. The ones i delete I don't permanently delete until i take a closer look at the ones I set aside to make sure I kept what I wanted.

I just watched a video with Jan Wegener and Duade Paton. Jan stated "I shot about 5,000 photos today, maybe a couple are keepers".

 

[ACHILLEAS]

Timing matters no question. There is always that perfect moment you might miss for half a second. But I wouldnt call it luck. Being at the right place at the right time with the right settings and spacial awareness and fast decision making and reflexes to get the perfect shot. All depend on you. Its only luck for outsiders who dont know how it is done.