Selective Amnesia

10 Responses to “Proof that I can never take a good enough photo.”

1. hari Says:
   December 16th, 2007 at 10:24 am

   Not being tuned into the philosophy of meaningful photography (I like landscapes, sunsets, beautiful scenery etc.) I cannot understand what is so special about this photograph (with due respect to the photographer in question).

2. Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan Says:
   December 16th, 2007 at 12:37 pm

   Photography is not only about beauty. It’s about capturing a moment. It’s about recording emotions.
   Tell me, looking at the photo, you aren’t also transported to the place, and can feel the joy and abandon in the girl’s face?

   I suggest you google Henri Cartier Bresson and Decisive Moment

3. hari Says:
   December 16th, 2007 at 4:06 pm

   Haha.. yes, I understand the concept behind capturing emotions on the little girl’s face and all. Was just being a bit tongue in cheek.

   But I was more wondering about that object in the picture – what is it exactly?

4. Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan Says:
   December 16th, 2007 at 9:40 pm

   Hari: I don’t think your earlier comment was tongue-in-cheek.

   As for the object in the picture – dude – take a look at the photo. What do you think is the object?

5. Karthi Says:
   December 17th, 2007 at 11:38 am

   >> How can I ever better this?

   Assuming you were there to capture that decisive moment.

   1) You can improve on the composition. Like removing the distractions which dilute the essence of photo, The man standing behind her, area towards her left and light will distract the observer.

   2) If that is not possible the blur them. (shoot with bigger aperture)

   3) Avoid square framing for this context.

   4) Show the motion of the girl

   5) The smile on her face should be the focal point

   6) And shoot this picture from your hip level and not like looking down on her, you should look at her straight.

   Disclaimer : These are just my observations and I don’t me any disrespect to Velachary Babu or you.

6. Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan Says:
   December 17th, 2007 at 11:46 am

   Karthi,

   Isn’t the beauty in the photo its fleeting-moment-ness? If I could wait and compose my shot the way you ask me to, wouldn’t I have lost out on the moment itself?
   If I had to focus on the smile, wouldn’t I have lost out on her body-language, the poise and the frozen run?

   The last point, of shooting from hip – perhaps that would have been the only possible “bettering” I could have adopted at that moment.

   C

7. Karthi Says:
   December 17th, 2007 at 11:59 am

   Chandra,

   I agree that “its fleeting-moment-ness” that matters.

   Coming to point of composition and camera settings question.

   Again a note : In photography it all boils down to personal preference.

   It is recommended that one default setting is alway in AP (aperture priority) mode, the reason being you can de-focus what is not relevant. Once you are in this setting you can capture the subject and its motion all at ease. No additional thought process is required here.

   As for composition is concerned, a photo can enhanced or ruined by composition. You will agree with me in that it all boils down to “seeing” one will perfect with practice.

8. Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan Says:
   December 17th, 2007 at 12:03 pm

   Thanks, Karthi. I have been shooting in Manual mode all these days. Will switch to AP. Hopefully, I get better results.

   And yes, seeing does improve with practice.

9. Your former pain in the rear Says:
   December 18th, 2007 at 2:29 pm

   Deyyy Venneeyy!

   Still sitting and blogging instead of copywriting eh?

10. Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan Says:
    December 18th, 2007 at 2:46 pm

    As usual, Muchax.

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