What are THE classic subjects every photographer should capture?

[bbtom10]

As an amateur I am faced with an infinite number of options of what to place within the viewfinder of my camera before I press the shutter. Here on DPS there are some fantastic talents and images being shared and a massive range of things covered.

My question is what are the classic images that an amateur should focus on in order to help them find their own skill / style or to hone their abilities. What are the best pictures to take to show off to friends and family - to say "look, I'm a photographer now!".

Having browsed through here for a few weeks now, there are maybe 3 which I think are achievable by everyone, regardless of level or kit, but which can vary hugely in 'quality' and therefore it is clear to see how your first attempt has improved.

- The Flower macro shot
- The Portrait (though there is a huge range of types of portrait, so feedback is gratefully received!)
- The Lone Tree Landscape

What else make really good subjects that we could use as a study to hone our skills?

I realise that there are assignments and competitions for this, but what is the classic package of subjects?

Tom

[LeeR]

When I was an art major in school it was considered essential that every artist's portfolio contain at least one of each of the following images: still life, landscape, nude (figure study), and portrait. Each of these requires a special set of "seeing" skills and having at least one of each that was of very high quality showed that you had a certain mastery of your art. Once that was established you were free to pursue whatever specialty you chose, but those were the essentials.
For reasons I don't quite understand, the same is often not true of photography. Photographers routinely specialize in one particular field and never venture from it, but that may have to do with the fact that photography is a relatively young art or with the fact that most photographers don't care if their work is never seen by a museum curator. It could also be that in time photography will have a different set of "classics"; say, macro, landscape, portrait and fashion. Similar to what artists have traditionally done, but reflecting our craft's unique abilities.
As for some of the shots you have mentioned, like the lone tree, those are so common they have become cliche' and should be avoided. OK, if you just have to do one so you can prove you can, fine, but get it out of your system and move on. You need to be looking for your own unique voice, not joining the chorus of wannabes.

[jamesev]

- The Flower macro shot
- The Portrait (though there is a huge range of types of portrait, so feedback is gratefully received!)
- The Lone Tree Landscape

What else make really good subjects that we could use as a study to hone our skills?
Tom

- The waterfall (dreamy / milky effect) or sea geantly lapping over rocks
- Sunset
- Sports shot


- Depending on lens availability a close up with a wide angle to get a distorted subject foreground and background.

[bbtom10]

Originally Posted by LeeR

When I was an art major in school it was considered essential that every artist's portfolio contain at least one of each of the following images: still life, landscape, nude (figure study), and portrait. Each of these requires a special set of "seeing" skills and having at least one of each that was of very high quality showed that you had a certain mastery of your art.

...

As for some of the shots you have mentioned, like the lone tree, those are so common they have become cliche' and should be avoided. OK, if you just have to do one so you can prove you can, fine, but get it out of your system and move on. You need to be looking for your own unique voice, not joining the chorus of wannabes.

Thanks - I think it would be useful, especially for amateur photographers like myself who are still searching to find a voice, to have these Classics in their portfolio in the same way you mention an artist would.

I was trying perhaps to be too specific, your suggestions of Macro, Landscape and Portrait I think are great, though I'm not sure 'Fashion' would be in there, perhaps a still life (though technically this may be the same as a macro, I would see them as different things though).

This is the discussion I was hoping for though - what are the classics - are they loose themes or can you determine specific shots juist to help develop your skills and be able to compare (whilst some may see this is cliche, it is useful to be able to compare a standard set of images to see where you are in the development curve).

Thanks for the input!

Tom

[LeeR]

No, I don't think macros and still lifes are the same thing. This is another mystery to me. In the art world, still lifes play a very important role, yet we seldom see them in photography. To me this spells an untapped possibility. Some time ago, lindyanajones pointed me to the work of Xaomen on flickr. She does true photographic still lifes and they are AMAZING!
You have to understand that when the art world chose the four essentials, landscape, portrait, figure study, still life, it was because they are all very challenging. Pick any one and you could spend a lifetime mastering it. That's why a portfolio with one of each, all of them of very high quality, says so much about the artist and their skills.
I don't have a problem with you choosing not to go the 'fashion' route as long as you have some sort of figure study. Anything where you the body is the focus of your image as opposed to a portait, which is in its own category. They may seem similar, but trust me, they are very, very different. As a matter of fact, nudes are considered among the most difficult of all artistic endeavors. Try it sometime, you'll see what I am talking about.

[bbtom10]

Thanks LeeR

Originally Posted by LeeR

No, I don't think macros and still lifes are the same thing. This is another mystery to me. In the art world, still lifes play a very important role, yet we seldom see them in photography.

Agreed - I think taking an artists view of photography is very important.

Originally Posted by LeeR

Anything where the body is the focus of your image as opposed to a portait, which is in its own category. They may seem similar, but trust me, they are very, very different.

I think I understand the difference now, thank you.

Originally Posted by LeeR

As a matter of fact, nudes are considered among the most difficult of all artistic endeavors. Try it sometime, you'll see what I am talking about.

"Darling, can we try something tonight...?"

Thanks again.

Tom

[jamesev]

Still life is usually less hassle. Few rocks require copyright or model release, and you're not going to get funny looks or accused of inappropriate behaviour photographing a babybel posing provocatively on a jacobs cracker.

[bbtom10]

Originally Posted by jamesev

Still life is usually less hassle. Few rocks require copyright or model release, and you're not going to get funny looks or accused of inappropriate behaviour photographing a babybel posing provocatively on a jacobs cracker.

You were so wrong.

[LenDog]

[QUOTE
- The Portrait (though there is a huge range of types of portrait, so feedback is gratefully received!)
what else make really good subjects that we could use as a study to hone our skills?
[/QUOTE]

I disagree that there are a "huge range of types of portrait". I'm convinced that portraits are the toughest, yet most satisfying, of the photography genres. I really admire photographers that do portraits well. Learn portaiture, and the lessons will last a lifetime.

Landscapes, the composition alone is very challenging. The lessons learned apply to all styles of photography.

I'm just starting on macro, but I believe learning macro will also benefit my photography in other ways.

[PowerPix]

Please. Allow me to make a fabulous recommendation for a tutorial on a "must shoot" subject. Water Drops!!

Simple water droplet tutorial (No extra gear)