What and how affects the photo?

MSO USSR SSD UPP-1 ★ KHARKIV ★ F-7 CM ★

The title photo collage was obtained using photographs taken on the lens MSO USSR SSD UPP-1 ★ KHARKIV ★ F-7 CM ★

My rating factors:

1. Photographer - The main element during photography. If there weren’t a person, the camera wouldn’t turn on, would not be installed in the correct position near the model or landscape, would not focus and would not take a picture at all. The photographer manages the entire shooting process, he is fully responsible for the shooting process, is responsible for the result, and no go-ahead is acceptable. If somebody called himself a photographer, He must be able to take pictures and get great results even on the phone, soap box and tin can. And this requires much more than just picking up a camera and pressing a button.

But, of course, a person himself cannot control everything, because the next factor that affects the creation of photography, I will name the external factors.

2. External factorslocation, the mood of those involved in the shooting, the type of shooting and the time allotted for shooting. Let me give you an example: when a photographer is filming his reportage, he cannot force someone to look exactly where he needs to be, or ask to do something, he can only catch moments, look for a good angle. Also, when shooting a landscape, it suddenly starts to rain - the photographer will not be able to get a perfectly blue sky, but he can get a rainy picture. The psychological attitude of those involved in the shooting is very much influenced. It is not always possible to customize and arrange the participants for the shooting or, for example, to change the model's hairstyle. Artistic photography is greatly influenced by the help of a make-up artist, a thoughtful idea, etc. An experienced photographer will be able to squeeze the maximum out of the resulting situation and will never blame such a combination of circumstances.

3. Light - element both technical and natural. Light is the key to success... Light is what creates an image on film, or on a matrix, or in extreme cases, gives a summer tan. It's difficult for a photographer without light. The photographer also controls the light - he correctly positions the participants in the direction of the sun, selects the shadows. From the technical side, the photographer enjoys flash, even during the day, reflectors, softboxes, creative lighting systems. This is especially true in the studio.

3.1. Assistant photographer. I did not highlight the assistant photographer as a separate item that affects the photo, because the assistant photographer can be attributed more to the photographer who organized the photography, and since the assistant photographer is most often involved in organizing the necessary lighting, the assistant is part of the lighting system. In some cases, an assistant is indispensable. With an assistant, you can get a good photo much faster, and there is always someone to talk to :). Usually, serious shooting involves a lot of people, the so-called team of the photographer. The photographer’s team is also very, very important for creating good shots.

4. Post processing using software (for example, using Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.). It's no secret that nowadays the vast majority of photography is digital, and sometimes it requires digital processing. A lot depends on the skills of a photographer or another person to correct a frame using software. Everyone knows that from a soap dish you can “pull out” a photo no worse than from a fancy DSLR. It takes time, skill and strength.

Spoiler alert: today, harsh post processing has become a kind of scourge of photography. From any, even the most disgusting photo, you can create a 'masterpiece' by adding a million and one filters there :).

5. The lens - an indispensable tool in the hands of any photographer. A well-known proverb that the photographer buys a lens, and on delivery the camera. The lens gives exactly the picture that we see, it creates it, warps, complements, works with sharpness, GRIP and other smart things. A lot depends on the speed of its focusing and focal lengths, aperture. Therefore, the lens is so important in photography.

6. The camera. By and large, this is a black (sometimes more glamorous) box, with curtains that sometimes open to apply light to the film, matrix, etc. At what earlier, the film and the camera were also separate. Now so much attention is paid to the camera due to the fact that there is a matrix instead of a film, which has a number of characteristics that many scientists are working on, and which more people are discussing. The camera allows you to simply dock the work of the photographer, lens, flash (light) and save the image on a film or memory card.

7. Printing device. The most-final result of all the attempts of the photographer depends on him. Printers have different print quality, color profiles, this is not an unimportant moment.

A colleague provides a new service 'professional photography of pictures for replication, reproduction or printing in catalogs', can anyone be interested, details here.

8. Display. Sometimes, I would say, very often the photo does not reach the print and is shown on the display. Of course, the better the display conveys colors and shades, the better the photo will look. Millions of articles have also been written on this subject.

Such a list was compiled by me in order to show that the technique itself, namely camera and lens are not the main sources of good photos. I think many people know and understand that good pictures can also be taken on the phone.

Some useful findings:

  1. It is not always necessary to chase an expensive professional camera, even on the most simple camera with interchangeable lenses you can get wonderful photos. I give my examples from the most primitive and oldest 6 megapixel, slowest and very ancient SLR Nikon D40 (EXIF see below for photos). The main advantage of interchangeable lens cameras is matrix size, and for all cropped cameras, it is almost the same, just like for full-frame cameras and cameras of a different type. In practice, you can get the same photos, especially when working at low ISO from cameras of different levels, for example with Nikon D40 и D7000, Pentax-k30 and Pentax K10, Canon 350D и Canon 60D. My examples on the ancient Canon 350D:
  2. It is not always justified to chase expensive high-aperture optics, even with a whale lens, you can take good pictures. Here are some examples from simple whale lenses: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (EXIF on right).
  3. The brand of the camera does not show the level of professionalism of the photographer. All battles about superiority Nikon \ Canon\ Pentax \ Sony \ Olympus etc. only distract from the very process of creating photos. Good photos are not Nikon D5, Canon 1Dx, but ability to manage them. I advise you to show love for good pictures instead of showing love for your brand.
  4. My experience of working and teaching people the basics of photography shows that a huge number of useful functions in modern cameras remains not only unclaimed, but generally not understood by beginner photographers. Therefore, in a huge number of cases, you should not buy an expensive camera, but restrict yourself to a simpler one. By the way, for this, manufacturers are not in vain dividing models into amateur, advanced, professional, top-end, flagship, etc. I advise beginners start with any cheapest SLR cameraIn any case, if the hobby for photography is claimed, the camera will have to be changed. Also, I recommend a look here.

Therefore, no matter what technique you photograph, it is important how you do it. The idea of ​​the whole article is that not worth chasing a fancy camera and lensesOf course, the camera is also important in photographing, but the listed factors are more important aspects.

The image gallery below was shot with a very ancient camera Nikon D70 and even more ancient lens Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor (MKII, Nikon JAPAN). All photos are shown without processing. (large format can be downloaded here here):

If you still don’t believe that an expensive camera or a super-duplex lens will neither make you a professional nor help improve your pictures, pay attention to the promotions that I spend on the site:

  1. Promotion 1
  2. Promotion 2
  3. Promotion 3
  4. Promotion 4

From the actions it follows that even advanced and even professional photographers who took part in the action, many of whom I personally know, could not even approximately guess with the help of which this or that photo was obtained. And even for pictures taken with cropped camera and a 'dark' lens, users wrote for some transcendental full-frame cameras and super-fast optics. Therefore, my actions only confirm the fact that technology (namely photographic equipment) is in some cases of secondary importance. In studio shooting, some parameters of cameras and lenses are further leveled.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Hack and predictor Aviator

Respect the work of photographers, and remember that it is a person who photographs, and the camera affects the final result almost in the last turn. If we consider camera sophistication to be the only measure of the photographer’s professionalism, then we will all fall into the trap of stupidity.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment:

 

 

Comments: 238, on the topic: What and how affects the photo?

  • serg

    I personally liked the cat in the photo))))))

  • Sash___OK

    Harosh, Arkady. Already stuck links to driving schools. Sensible photos you have. Finally, I can say this with complete confidence! Does the outlet sponsor?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Sasha, thanks. Sponsored by Gidin's driving school and blog. By the way, Rozetka wrote about cooperation - there was no answer.

  • VALENTINE

    I shoot on film (MIR-1A WITH A-ADAPTER, INDUSTAR-50, HELIOS-44 AND 81, KALEINAR-5N, JUPITER-37A). Carcasses - ZENITS-3 and 3M, KIEV-19. Therefore, it is weather independent. DIGIT BEGINS with HP G2010 SCANNER. NEXT - EDITORS: FAST STONE IMAGE VIEWER (basic), GIMP 2.6 and PICASA (very handy for cropping and “fine-tuning” photos).

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thank you, in cases with film, the situation changes a little. I shoot with the same lenses (except Mir-1A) on digital. By the way - Fest Ston is good.

  • VALENTINE

    FIX: HP G3010 Scanner!

  • Smetanka

    I quote)))
    “… The atmosphere influences the photo! desire to photograph and be photographed, the mood of both the photographer and the models))) ... "

    • Arkady Shapoval

      This is point 2 in my article :)

  • Smetanka

    "External factors", I will know))))

    • anonym

      Aha

  • Hello, I just asked a question here about the lens, so that the background would blur, I have a nikon d3100 phot, I just played enough with a whale lens, and now I'm thinking which one to take? Prices are priced. But understanding what I want to eat, so that the background would blur the background - the front. And it was inexpensive. Something like this.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Suitable for D3100 Nikon 50mm F1.8G just right.

      • And from domestic analogues?

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Zenitar 50 1.7, Helios-81N, Helios-123N

  • interesting article,
    I agree that the lens is on the 4th, and the camera is on the 6th position.

  • Victor

    The author of this article said everything correctly, but missed the details: if you want to take good pictures, you should carefully study the instructions for using the camera and experimentally select the correct settings inside the camera itself so that you can get reliable color reproduction and sharpness of the picture. Well, then everything comes with experience. I write this because I have never been involved in photography myself, but I have been doing it for 3 years, when I retired I got my second hobby. http://www.panoramio.com/user/4925131?show=all after the picture opens in full resolution, save it as, and then in the editor - you can in CaptureNX2.2.5 (by the way, a very cool Russian-language editor) or Photoshop CS5 to see what this picture was taken and with what settings.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      A camera manual is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a good photo. But, often, people cannot even cope with this.

  • Vladimir

    Hello. I bought a Nikon d3100 with an 18-55 lens. Tell me which universal lens with a large zoom 18-105 or 18-200 or what? It is advisable not to be expensive. Name some models. Sorry, maybe I didn’t correctly formulate the question. I want to remind you of your youth. I thanked you in advance.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      From inexpensive Tamron 18-270mm F / 3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD, 18-135mm f / 3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor, 18-200mm f / 3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF- S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor and dear 18-300mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Nikkor

  • Vladimir

    Thank you very much for your help. And if you can’t tell me where to buy it. I don’t reach a new one after the purchase, but I really want to with a large zoom or whatever is right. Thank you.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      aukro.ua, slando.ua

  • Vladimir

    Tell me how to find out from the inscription sigma on the nikon d3100 with a stabilizer or without 18-200. Or which of the sigma is suitable? Thanks.

  • Vladimir

    Tell me suitable for Nikon D3100 SIGMA 18-200 mm f3,5-6,3 DC OS HSM for Nikon.Thanks.

  • Arkady Shapoval

    Will do. This sigma has an HSM focus motor.

  • Vladimir

    Arkady You excuse me for importunity. What is the difference between the SIGMA 18-200 / 3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Nikon F Lens and the SIGMA 18-200 / 3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon F Lens. And why is the price difference almost 1000 UAH? Or maybe some other lens with a stabilizer is better within the limits of this money. Sorry, I just can’t decide on a lens. You can’t buy a good one for retirement. And if you can, and you can take which one is better, with a stabilizer and focal length 18-105.18-135.18- 200. Everything, thanks.

  • Arkady Shapoval

    Just a new modification of the II DC lens. Better quality. Better to take a station wagon 18-200 with a stabilizer. Best for Nikon DX cameras - Nikon 18-200mm f / 3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor

  • Vladimir

    Good afternoon. Arkady, tell me again, as you understand, the Nikon D3100 is from 18-55. I want a lens so that, for example, I can take my grandson from a long distance with the zoom in, but if necessary, I can also capture it from close range. Which lens will bring closer 18-105 or 55-200, in fact, the first has a multiple of more. I already wanted to take 18-105 they say I changed the price for soap, it’s better to leave my own and buy 55-200. But I would like to get by with one or what to do? And preferably with a stabilizer. If you do not understand in my question, you can not answer. Thank you.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The zoom ratio and the zoom ratio of the lens are different things. Read for the multiplicity in this section https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/04/kind-of-lens/
      I advise you to buy 55-200, or take an expensive station wagon 18-200, or 18-300

  • Konstantin

    Hello! And do not tell me which thread the photo editor, except for Photoshop?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      GIMP, Lightroom

  • Vladimir

    Arkady, help me figure it out. On a sunny day, when shooting a subject in the shade, everything in the sun is excellent, in the shade it is dark. I myself am in the shade.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Small dynamic range of the camera, it can not simultaneously photograph what is in the shade and what is in the sun. Go to the exposition section.

  • Vladimir

    What is the difference between RAW and JPEG files when editing in ACDSee Pro

  • Vladimir

    Arkady, thank you very much for the article for the help you provide in the development of photography.

  • Maksim

    15.05.12g.

    In my subjective opinion, this article shows a look at a photograph of a person who has all the photographic equipment and he already forgot how to start taking pictures from scratch. a beginner can have all 7 points except the 6th and a point, he will not become a photographer. But if a person has at least a body, then the hole for the lens can be covered with foil with a hole and comprehend the basics of the composition. And if there is no camera, then make a frame of 3 fingers, forgive 4 and say chik-chik. You can also learn something, I guess.
    I believe that this article lacks a caveat from which position this article was written. I totally disagree with this article. From my point of view, 1 is a camera, 2 is a photographer and not just any kind of camera, but adequate to the tasks set. For the camera and only it is the basis for the manifestation of human creative abilities. How much can you shoot with a “soap dish”? Learning to compose well, yes. But it doesn't make much sense to shoot with aperture priority on a point-and-shoot camera. since a short focal length gives a large DOF at any aperture. And as soon as an amateur begins to understand this, he immediately dreams of a “DSLR”. When I bought a “DSLR”, I began to show the potential that “slept” all the time while I was photographing with a “soap box”, and with the advent of a “DSLR” I still have the same sunlight, the same printer, and the same a galling monitor on a laptop, but the quality of the photos has increased several times compared to the photographs of the “soap dish”, “I got a DSLR on July 12, 2012. and now on September 19, 2012.
    PS Arkady, I ask you either to criticize me or to agree. Sincerely, Maxim, thanks for the site.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Your position is important and informative, based on your experience. There is only one caveat; everything written above concerns SLR cameras, where their frills play the last role. I still shoot on the Nikon D40, tonight I returned from filming from 5 a.m. to 23.30 p.m. and I can say for sure that the camera did not affect the material that I shot at all. The main influence on the quality of photographs was played by I, as the head of the process, external factors of good weather and people's disposition to take pictures, the use of external light, and the lens. All the same and with the same success I could shoot on any camera.

  • Maksim

    Arkady, sorry for the rather risky "bright thought", if you are talking about DSLRs, then I will take your word for it, because I have no experience of handling expensive cameras. Like any amateur, I want to become a professional, and your article warms my soul, my Nikon D90 ...

  • Alexey

    I will support Maxim about the potential. When I photographed with a Canon soap dish, I did not see a fundamental difference in the aperture priority, shutter speed, etc. modes, now I have a Canon 600D, and I began to understand what Arkady says in his articles. When I “probed” the DSLR and mastered some basics, you can squeeze something out of the soap dish and even out of the phone camera. When I bought a DSLR, I began to look at the world with different eyes, I finally noticed how beautiful autumn is and how the color of trees changes every day, although I lived in this city for 14 years.
    Many thanks to Arkady and good luck to everyone!

  • ira

    Hello. Tell me, is it possible to configure something in the Nikon 3100 camera so that the stones in the photo of jewelry shine strongly? photos are needed close up. thanks

    • Arkady Shapoval

      1. Use light sources that will give such an effect.
      2. Use software to create this effect.
      3. There must be a star filter in the camera in processing mode, it can be used
      4. You can use a star filter (stars effect filter) on the lens

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2011/07/what-is-main/comment-page-1/

Version en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2011/07/what-is-main/comment-page-1/