What’s Your Preference?

sk66 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2011, 03:10 AM

So, I became a member on 500px. Thought it looked like a good site for semi-pro level work to share and set up an easy "portfolio"(nothing much up yet, figure I'll do a few pics/day). I've also decided to attempt at blogging my inane and irrelevant thoughts regarding photography (since they make it so easy).

Anyways. I read a blog post about "zoom with your feet".... This is one particular fallacy that annoys me to no end. And to post such a simplification and what amounts to nonsense on a "professional site" is really irking me.

So, do I post a counter point comment to his blog?
Or, do I create my own blog post refuting such crap?
Or do I take the high road and do nothing since it really won't matter anyways?

Fuzzy, I think I already know your answer.

IABoomer · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2011, 03:20 AM

Write your own post. As people link back to your information, you generate views of your content. If you comment on his posting, you potentially drive traffic to him. Once you've written your blog post, then post a link to said post in a comment to his post.

SwissJon · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2011, 05:14 AM

Don't get me wrong Steve, I don't disagree with you point of view, but I wouldn't get so hot about something so irrelevant written on someone else's blog.. It's not worth becoming embroiled in a blogging battle over something like this, just leave a link to your original post on here on his blog and suggest they join in the discussion.

For the record, I don't see the problem with "zooming with your feet" except it's a misnomer. It should be "Alter the perspective with your feet" .. As a suggestion, all it really does is encourage people to move about a bit.. You're right, it's not the same as using a different focal length, but the number of people I've noticed that just stand in one spot without moving (Me included in the past) and use their zooms, and just make do with a sub quality photo, any encouragement to get them to move to somewhere that the perspectives better can only be a good thing.. Personally I tend not to follow the herd when visiting tourist traps.. I tend to look at what the crowd are doing and then see what alternative views can be had.. However this tends to annoy my wife, who likes to join in with things, so you can't win them all.. Sometimes you just have to be one of the herd.. Moooooooooo!

mosgood · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2011, 03:12 PM

LOL Zoom with Your Feet! I always get a chuckle out of that phrase. I guess the bottom line is that you need to check out different viewpoints instead of just changing focal lengths, as Jon said. It's kind of a simplistic explanation of composition. I think this subject is lost on the masses anyway...most click the shutter button without thinking about it...other than capturing what they see.

I remember a beginning art class I was enrolled in many years ago. (Mind you, I had been drawing my whole life & some of these people were quite a few years older than me-some had never picked up a pencil prior to this class to draw-& were frustrated by my skills. I had years of practice & age had little to do with it.) There were several still life scenes set up around the room. We were to pick one & draw it on 20X24 inch art paper. Most of the other "artists" were clustered around the same 2 or 3 still lifes. I automatically rejected those. I wandered around the room looking for 2 things: elbow room & an interesting play of light & shadow without hoardes of other people drawing the same thing. I wanted something unique! I found my spot & set up my easel in front of some clay blocks. It wasn't long before other "artists" stopped by my location. Once some of them saw what I was doing, some tried copying me. They went so far as to crowd my easel.

I finished up quickly, & left early. When I got up to put away my stuff & leave, there were probably about 10 or so other people clustered around my spot. At the critique a few days later, the instructor really liked my drawing. The other "artists" were all annoyed that they toiled away & missed the mark of what he wanted. Some of the other drawings were tiny & centered on the huge sheets of paper. Others omitted the shadows from their drawings. I think they thought I was the teacher's pet or something along those lines. I wasn't, but it doesn't matter. The herds will believe & follow what they want to. You just never know where that mentality will take them. That's why a lot of them think that just having a dSLR makes a great photographer. Obviously, it goes so much further than that, but it's difficult to change the public's opinion, even if it's based on a myth.

I share this story because photography is every bit as subjective as any other art form. If it was as easy as shuffling your feet, more people would be better at it. What they don't get is the importance of the composition & the placement of the subject within the frame. That's what makes the difference between a good picture & a great one. Like Jon said, say your piece about composition but leave it at that. No need to get embroiled in an argument. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.