Overdone and Cliche Shots

[unpopular]

You know. I honestly don't feel like I ever didn't understand the technical aspects, basic exposure came naturally, at least in theory. I don't mean to be braggy, though I am sure it's coming across this way, and it's not like I've never done anything cliche - or even that I could always apply what I knew, even now I'm not always successful.

But it's hard for me to remember that for a lot of people it doesn't come so easily.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Ah now we are getting into why I started this thread Eeeeexcellent

It's not a bad thing for anyone to teach themselves photography by doing every cliched photo they can think of. It becomes painful when everyone feels compelled to share them all.

I agree, the cliche shots work because they are grounded by strong compositions and elements so you don't have to think about them much. They are a perfect way to master the technical aspects of the shot.
As for whether we should share them or not I'm on the fence. It's painful for those who have been there and done that for sure, they have been around a while and seen it a million times, understandable, but if we don't post them how do we know how close to the mark we are? I think posting them for C&C is an important part of the process of using a cliche as a learning tool.

I think you'd learn more through creation than emulation. Photography isn't just a bag of tricks you pull out in the right conditions.

Photography is two fold, technical (your bag of tricks) and creative. You have to fill your bag of tricks at the front end of the learning process so you can use them in your creative process. The more tools you have at your disposal the more creative you can be. Perhaps doing the cliches that ring true to you can be considered filling your bag of tricks?

 

[Derrel]

You canadians are sure proud of your hydroelectric infrastructure, eh?

What I find odd is that, where I live, the vast majority of electricity is generated by hydroelectric dams...WATER-generated electricity...

In Canada, at least in Eastern Canada, "hydro" refers to nuclear-generated electricity...

I used to have an internet buddy who whose entire family worked in the "huydro" industry in the Port Elgin, Ontario area.

 

[PixelRabbit]

I used to have an internet buddy who whose entire family worked in the "huydro" industry in the Port Elgin, Ontario area.

The Bruce, same place my husband works on the restart project.

 

[unpopular]

Photography is two fold, technical (your bag of tricks) and creative.

There is a difference between a laboratory technician and a chemist. The lab tech knows a few techniques to use in specific circumstances, while a chemist intuitively understands the art of chemistry, and fully comprehends how the techniques which the technician use works. The tech uses a "bag of tricks", the chemist uses chemistry.

Likewise a "fancy snapper" approaches photography as a bag of tricks, while a photographer approaches photography from an intuitive standpoint.

I also don't really feel like there is this big difference between the technical and the creative. For me, they're really two elements of the same process, and without understanding one, it's impossible to understand the other.

 

[j-digg]

I don't think there is anything wrong with being a "fancy snapper" in transition to being a "photographer". People take different steps along the way.. no biggy.

 

[terri]

I also don't really feel like there is this big difference between the technical and the creative. For me, they're really two elements of the same process, and without understanding one, it's impossible to understand the other.

Well, the difference is that one can be taught, and the other is inherent to each of us. You can have all the best creative ideas ever, and have it come quite naturally to you - but until you learn technically how to present or achieve them, you're just whistling in the dark.

 

[unpopular]

I think there is a problem with getting stuck in the "wow factor" phase, which directly correlates with the fancy snaper approach. I believe that this is where cliche starts becoming a big problem.

As I tell anyone who is looking to improve their photography: don't be afraid to suck at it.

 

[j-digg]

I think there is a problem with getting stuck in the "wow factor" phase, which directly correlates with the fancy snaper approach. I believe that this is where cliche starts becoming a big problem.

As I tell anyone who is looking to improve their photography: don't be afraid to suck at it.

Sure, I'm quite sure I may be in that phase myself, at times :S .. but instead of, or in conjunction with going into the "wow factor" phase when learning something new, the 'photographer' understands what he/she has learned.. puts it in their holster/"bag of tricks" and is then able to apply it in different situations in the future.. it has served a great purpose.

 

[PixelRabbit]

You canadians are sure proud of your hydroelectric infrastructure, eh?

What I find odd is that, where I live, the vast majority of electricity is generated by hydroelectric dams...WATER-generated electricity...

In Canada, at least in Eastern Canada, "hydro" refers to nuclear-generated electricity...

I used to have an internet buddy who whose entire family worked in the "huydro" industry in the Port Elgin, Ontario area.

Prior to nuclear this area was serviced by hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls and smaller generating stations scattered along the rivers. In the 60's and 70's hubby's grandfather was a linesman putting in the infrastructure for Canada's first full scale nuclear power plant at Douglas Point which is now the second largest plant in the world just behind Fukushima I believe.... but "hydro" has always stuck.

 

[fotomumma09]

Overdone and cliche shots IMO is in the eye of the beholder. I shoot what interests me in the stage of life I am in. Which I'm sure with change as I grow into photography. We all have preferences and unique style and tastes that makes us who we are. That said I think it's wise to accept differences and appreciate other people for their individual style.

 

[PixelRabbit]

I think there is a problem with getting stuck in the "wow factor" phase, which directly correlates with the fancy snaper approach. I believe that this is where cliche starts becoming a big problem.

As I tell anyone who is looking to improve their photography: don't be afraid to suck at it.

I'm almost with ya here, I don't think it is necessarily a problem to be a happy snapper for some. That is exactly what some aspire to be, proficient at photography to be able to document their experience in a pleasing manner so they can show other people what they did, where they went, what they saw. Their collection of work is visually pleasing and technically sound but easily classified as cliche and uninspired. They are the lab tech's of photography. They know the rules and work within them.

Then there are those who find that the chiche is a problem in their own body of work and aspire to explore the creative side of photography. They understand how to create the cliche and use that knowledge to push the boundaries (make mistakes). These are the chemists. They know the rules too but choose to play with them and even sometimes intentionally break them.

Perhaps we need the happy snappers/lab techs so that the chemists stand out as different

 

[j-digg]

I wonder if Derrel would kill me if I said portraits in portrait orientation were cliche.

Cmon, 8 pages and no one else said it? I barely even post here

 

[cgipson1]

I wonder if Derrel would kill me if I said portraits in portrait orientation were cliche.

Cmon, 8 pages and no one else said it? I barely even post here

Well, considering that the vast majority of portraits shot horizontally are amateurish and usually have other issues too, what would you suggest? Not shooting portraits period, possibly?

And the amateurish Horizontal Portraits have become cliche too... and very indicative of the MWAC style of shooting.

All right, people! No more portraits allowed... they are all cliches!

 

[j-digg]

I wonder if Derrel would kill me if I said portraits in portrait orientation were cliche.

Cmon, 8 pages and no one else said it? I barely even post here

Well, considering that the vast majority of portraits shot horizontally are amateurish and usually have other issues too, what would you suggest? Not shooting portraits period, possibly?

Not shooting photos... the biggest photography related anti-cliche of all!.. Now we are da h1p.