What makes a good photo?

[SwissJon]

Ok.. I know, how long is a piece of string?

But have a go.. What makes you go back to a picture, bookmark someone's work, go "oooh, that's nice" (or whatever you do) ..

It's a hard thing to quantify, especially with so many genres in Photography, but as much as you can, what makes a good photo for you and if you have only one photo that you can use an example, which?

[RichardTaylor]

Have a look at this thread on DPS.

It was written for the critique forum . Also check out some some of the links in the replies.
Basically the same things apply to "What makes a good photo?"

How to Critique #1 - The basics.

[NicoleScraps]

For me, good photos make me feel something. I cannot pin point a specific thing, like you mentioned, it is different with each genre. It doesn't have to be technically perfect to be a good photo, IMO.

[autofocus]

I think a good photograph should elicit some emotion on the part of the viewer. Some of these emotions may include, but not limited to happiness, sadness, wonderment, sensory joy, anger, etc. I think the old cliché of "a picture should tell a story" still rings true. And I agree with Nicole above, it doesn't have to be technically perfect, just as long as it moves you somewhat.

[milosh]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

For me, good photos make me feel something. I cannot pin point a specific thing, like you mentioned, it is different with each genre. It doesn't have to be technically perfect to be a good photo, IMO.

I agree. Some photos I bookmark because of their technical perfection (something to look up to) and some just because of the emotion they have, they don't have to be technically perfect. Sometimes it feels like it's linked to my subconsciousness. Example of this are most of this girl's self-portraits, not always perfect, but so powerful:
self. - a set on Flickr She's the first one I thought of, there are many others.

[RichardTaylor]

@ milosh

The self series is inspirational. Thanks for the link.

[candidrachel]

I think for me its all to do with "the light" and shadows that give a photo the certain je ne sais quoi.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by milosh

I agree. Some photos I bookmark because of their technical perfection (something to look up to) and some just because of the emotion they have, they don't have to be technically perfect. Sometimes it feels like it's linked to my subconsciousness. Example of this are most of this girl's self-portraits, not always perfect, but so powerful:
self. - a set on Flickr She's the first one I thought of, there are many others.

She is really good! I really dig the darker stuff like that. I always feel drawn to it. She sort of reminds me of a depressed Marsha Brady. lol!

For me it's almost strictly about feeling. Sure, there needs to be some technical goodness, but the feeling is what keeps me coming back. (I am making her a contact btw)
Same with music. It's like listening to Yngwie Malmsteen compared to David Gilmour. Yngwie can sweep pick and do hammered on arpeggios with his left foot all he wants but it never feels like it has any soul. David Gilmour on the other hand, can hit one note, sustain it for an hour and completely captivate me. I don't know how else to describe it!

[milosh]

Yeah, she is good! Here's one more, not so dark but perfect and beautiful, her expressions and post-processing always strike me: Flickr: .Stellar.'s Photostream

To get back to the subject a bit, before bed time, I think the common criteria for successful photographs is the feelings they evoke, but I guess this could be further expanded for each genre of photography.

[Bruce A]

Yes, it's composition, lighting, subject matter, technicallity and so and so forth, but it's really simply the "wow" factor. Doesn't matter if it's a baby portrait or a landscape, I know when an image grabs me when I think "wow".

Now all I have to do is go out an create some.