Just curious about what makes a photo "good"

[Crystal]

I am a beginner, I have only been shooting in manual mode for about 2 months now. I've come a long way since I started, but have a long way to go. I'm proud of my progress, even though I have a LOT of bang my head moments.

I am wondering what everyone thinks makes a "GOOD" photo? I ask because some of my pictures I am proud of but have been ripped apart by other photographers and I'm left scratching my head wondering why? I get that photography is art and that art is subjective. I guess I'm also curious to what is considered a "snapshot" vs a photo? Is it supposed to be insulting when someone comments on one of your pictures that it looks like a "snapshot"?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!

[graciousness]

I did a webinar with professional photographer David du Chemin yesterday morning and this question came up.

In summary, he mentioned that yes, this is all highly subjective and this question is such a big one that it's really hard to just simply pin point what makes a good photo. For example, there are professional photographers that yes, get paid for what they do, but then their photos would appear mediocre to some people. On the other hand, there are lots of amateur photographers who produce astounding work. Yet you have to question that mediocre pro's get paid for their work so these paying clients find their work appealing. Aesthetically, a good photograph is really all very subjective and personal.

Now let's not ignore the technical aspect of what makes a good photo, though. Basically, a good, technical photo should be well focused, properly exposed and well composed. Regardless of whether you actually like the photo or not, you can still judge that a photo is well taken as the image is well shoot.

A photograph of a beautiful girl is only good if it's properly lit and focused. Even photos of ugliness in this world captured on camera can be aesthetically beautiful if properly shot.

Seasoned photographers will always look at the technical aspect of how a shot is made first and then bring in their aesthetic eye when looking at photos. Friends and families will be biased and tell us how beautiful our photos are, but unless they have proper knowledge of photography and its technical aspects, then you can only take their opinion with a grain of salt. However, in saying this, if your photos speak to you and you love it for personal and sentimental reasons, that is really all that matters in the end.

[Jonbar18]

This has been asked literally a million times. If you do a search you'll find some useful opinions.

Nothing.

Nothing makes a photo good.

Can we move onto the rest of our lives now?

[Crystal]

Thank you graciousness! That helps me a lot!

Jonbar18, I apologize for asking this question again. I will do a search for it though, thank you for telling me.

maxharvard, I have never stopped living my life.

[homank76]

For a photograph to be good it needs three parts: Composition, Gesture and Lighting, you get all three the photo kicks butt, but its very hard to do.

Here is a good start for composition:

5 Elements of Composition in Photography

Plus I'll add my input

Gesture

The expression on your subject is everything. Anyone can take pictures today. Some things are simply boring. You can spend a lot of effort trying to make them look otherwise, or you can relax and go find better things to photograph.

LIGHTING

Lighting is absolutely the most important technical issue there is. Light can make the difference between a snapshot and a stunner.

[brianxlt]

Ok, let's assume all the technical aspects of the image are perfect - ie - focus, shutter speed, aperture, and lighting to produce a quality image, now comes the hard part it is as you agreed art and your right art is subjective. Take for example an image of a bicycle and rider going down the street, is it motion blurred (panned) or not, is the rider facing you or not, is there a distracting element in the back/foreground, is the angel up/down or level with the rider so on and so forth. These are just some of the things that would make a nice snapshot or a photograph worthy of respect. All these things are subjective to the viewer and what they like to see in an image. Composition, process (developed) technic and subject are all ways going to be the subjective part of any image as long as all the other things are technically sound.

[autofocus]

You can have a technically perfect photograph meeting all the elements of composition, focus, exposure, etc. Yet, it may be a very boring and uninteresting image. On the other hand, an image that may not be technically perfect may evoke a tremendous amount of emotion on the part of the viewer. As they say, "a photograph should tell a story," and I think this is one of the most important criteria in what makes a photograph good. You also have to differentiate between commercial photography vs personal photography/photo journalism. A commercial photograph of a gear for a brochure is not going to evoke a lot of emotion, but it had better be technically perfect. Now consider the well known photograph of that burned Vietnamese girl running and crying, it may not have been technically perfect, but it certainly told a story.

[ravncat]

A good photograph - ignoring all the wonderful words, truths and advice above and below this post...

A good photograph succeeds at it's intent and obeys the speed limit and has no problems helping out a neighbor in distress. - Kidding aside, A photograph is that, it's us that experience it as "Good" or not, so there are two questions - Who is the viewer. What is the purpose of the photograph.

If the purpose of the photograph is to capture some fleeting moment to remind you of that point in the future, and it succeeds at that, it's a good photograph. If the purpose is to please your photography professor and it succeeds at that task, it's a good photograph. If you don't know who the viewer is or what the purpose of the image is, then it can't succeed, and people will make up a purpose, and it will pass or fail on their own criteria, and be good to some and not to others... It's really always that way.

There's something else to think about - "There's always a better photograph" I wouldn't worry about if your photographs are good or not. I'd look at other questions like - does this photograph do what I want it to do? What is it that I want my photograph to do? and maybe most importantly, "Am I succeeding at making my photographs do or say what I want them to, and If not, am I making progress?"

Years from now you'll find a photograph you rejected in the past, and realize, that it succeeds at some purpose you never thought of before, and you'll treasure it. Photographs are little gems, some gain beauty with age, others tarnish. If you're looking for a measuring stick - there isn't one single universal one, everyone has their own. You can use other people's, but really you've got to make your own.

[Crystal]

Thank you ALL so much! You are helping me more than you probably realize (or maybe you do realize?). I truly appreciate all of your insight!