if it is the equipment that matters, then how can some people get good pictures with even pro-sumer camera ?

if it's the skill then why are there so many people spending money on DSLR? fast f2.8 lenses ? VR/IS lenses ?

Luck ? no comment

Photoshop? camera phone will do, don't bother even getting a DSLR

p/s: the intention of this thread is to share knowledge on what makes a good photo...

This post has been edited by vincent_audio: Oct 2 2007, 04:31 PM

me thinks - all of the above, I'll put skill as priority. Equipment next.
luck yes, but not always la. for example you snap products, models or food - what luck is there la? for events like sports and all - YES!

Even with skill, there is a limitation on what your equipment can do. Hence the need to buy maybe faster lens or longer zoom lens. But I put my vote on skill first as it matters. Then equipment would follow next.

he he he... my skill can't justify all d spending on my camera.. but it's fun though..

skill, definitely skills. But for certain subject matter, equipment does play a role.

It largely depends on what kind of photography you like.

All above play role. For me priority is

1) Skill
2) Photoshop
3) Equipment
4) Luck

all of the above.
one cant sustain without the other...
and in today's world... photoshop plays a role in it too...

for me...everything on the above is plays an important role in producing good photographs...

1. you need to have skills to get good composition
2. you need a wide variety of lens to suit each scene
3. no camera is perfect. Photoshop enables you to do those touch-ups and ammendments. This is where post-processing plays its role.
4. Luck also helps. Imagine going to the seaside everyday for one whole week and you cant get a day which has good formation of clouds and good weather.

so all in all. I guess everything is needed

patience and endurance also important

anticipation, some sheer luck, good timing, fast response, the eye for great angle/position

skill ~ creativity?

For me skill come first.. the gadget come second.. luck is the bonus..
If the picture already superb, why need photoshop.? Photoshop only to make u create more creative picture..

Put it this way.
When you felt that your skill's limited by lack of equipment (genuine feeling), then equipment matters.
However, assuming you had everything you need, but still can't produce the quality you're expecting. You lack skill & experience.
Luck also play an important part, as some scene only come once.

BUT, instead of waiting for the scene to happen. Some master photog would try to create the scene.

Eg. Like I saw a photog went around the lake in a canoe, identifying the lotus he wants. Then he spray some mist onto it & put a frog (fake) next to it. Finally, went back to his spot, set up his equipment & wait for the right timing for the shutter. The picture won prize in contest.

This post has been edited by scorgio: Oct 2 2007, 11:42 PM

hehehee
typical salon photographer

Well I personally feel that a photographer has to know how to adapt and predict.


I know that I am in no position to comment as I am just a amateur photographer for the School Magazine.



Why adapt? Because gear is always the limiting factor.
Why predict? Because you may never know where and when to shoot next.



Just my 2 cents

Surely 1st is skill. Sometimes u will also need some suitable eq.(is suitable, doesn't mean tat the more expensive the better!) Also, without a luck, a perfect photo is also hard to get. Last few days had a talked with a sifu class photographer, he took a lot of nice photos during his trip, and he also said tat 1st thing is the skill and tat day when he went the trip the weather is juz nice. The last thing he said tat even u got a lot of exp eq, u also wont get a nice photo without skill. A something he said,"If u ask me izit worth on buying this lens(those cost u RM10k n above), i will tell u it is a good lens n worth if u got enuf money to buy it, but u still need skill".

i can't believe the poll results....

in digital age, we rely a lot on post processing. we rely a lot on chimping.

basically it isn't wrong to say that we're looking at a generation of less-skilled photographers compared to the days of film photography.

with digital, spam only mah. after 20 shots, sure 1 looks quite ok. can adjust with software some more.

Equipment. You get sifu using 3.2mp kodak camera and get noob using in auto mode DSLR (in3.2mp resolution) camera see the difference.

i have seen people using camera phone taking better pics then me using SLR