Jason Unger

5 Reasons I Wish I Was a Better Photographer

Posted by junger - 05/01/07 at 06:05:34 pm

Despite the nice little Flickr plugin I'm currently running on the sidebar, photography is not one of my strong suits.

It's a shame, because I enjoy taking pictures and I enjoy capturing moments and relaying them to an audience (I did degree in Journalism, you know). For some reason — either a shaky hand, poor judgement or some other fault — my photography skills are lacking.

To top it off, my father is a pro-sumer photographer, and my wife is too (at least as far as her camera can take her). I've got the interest and desire, but not the skills. Here's why I want to be a better photographer:

1. Photos can capture the moment in a way no story can.
   Okay, so "a picture is worth 1000 words" is completely cliche, but it's entirely accurate. The best writing can never tell a story like a picture can.
2. Photos have plenty of room for interpretation.
   A picture can mean multiple things to multiple people. A story isn't always open to hidden meanings, expressions and interpretations. Great storytelling puts you in the mind of the character — great photography leaves that interpretation up to the viewer.
3. Photos can show emotion.
   Words can convey experiences and describe feelings, but they can't show emotions the way a photo can.
4. Photos are timeless.
   A photograph always has meaning no matter the time or place. Stories aren't always appropriate in different contexts or situations — they always require information. A photograph doesn't. Meaning can be derived without needing to know more.
5. Photos spark your imagination.
   Great photos leave more to be desired. What are the people in the photo thinking? What's beyond the scope of the camera? Is the photographer trying to say something? Stories aim to complete a thought — they have a beginning, middle and an end. Great photos leave you yearning for more.

What do you think?

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