Comments on: Stop Taking Pictures, Start Creating Images

By: Jennifer Moore

Jennifer Moore — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:07:20 +0000

Michael Cockerham says: “Ask yourself, as you are looking throught the viewfinder, “why do I want to take this photograph? What is it that is compelling me to create an image?” If you cannot answer the question, then don’t take the photograph.”

This is EXACTLY the mindset I have when I’m going out shooting for shots to sell: If I see what I think will be a great shot, but can’t manifest it the way I’d like, then it just does not happen. Disappointing, sure, but I’m an artist through and through–it has to be RIGHT.

This post and the comments are amazing. Such great advice! Kudos!

Jennifer Moore
JenniferLynn Productions, LLC

By: Joana K

Joana K — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:35:45 +0000

“Stop taking pictures, start creating images.” I like that, could become one of my mottos even… :) That was a great and helpful article, kind of inspiring and motivating as well, also the photos are awesome, great example for what IMAGES are. Although I support the idea of having a plan, taking our time, etc., I also agree with Mark Pashia’s post, because most of my successful photos weren’t actually planned. :) They were spontanious. But even so, having a plan is always very important, and not only when it comes to photography. :)

By: Mark Pashia

Mark Pashia — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:10:09 +0000

My question is: how does this relate to a beginner learning wildlife photography?

As a beginner, I am still learning my DSLR so I try to give myself a “mission” but not very restrictive. Yesterday I went to a small park owned by the local Audubon Society chapter. My “plan” was to try and CATCH some small songbirds with my Sigma 70-300mm DG APO Macro lens. That was the closest I could come to “creating a photo”. I took about 105 snaps, but ended up with about 5 worth prepping for print. I felt that it was a successful day, even though only three were of songbirds!

Two of the images were macros that I spotted while looking around and went ahead and shot them even though that was not my plan. The first was of a water strider on a little creek and the macro shot showed the depressions on the water surface from his feet as he walked on water. The second was of a tall grass seed pod that was empty of seeds. In macro it ended up being very abstract looking as I used a very shallow depth of field on it.

Sometimes my best outdoor photos have nothing to do with my “plan”, but show up just because I stop and look around in a full circle often while shooting. So I guess my “wildlife photos” often become “nature photos”.

By: Alex Suffolk Photographer

Alex Suffolk Photographer — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:55:29 +0000

Even if it’s something simple like lying on the ground, all these things will help improve your photography.

Stop shooting at eye level – we see that every second of our lives.

By: DaBlayn

DaBlayn — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:41:03 +0000

Great article! Bringing this to top-of-mind is just what I needed — thanks! I know that I really work a situation when I’m expected to turnaround images for a client or a specific purpose. In my personal photog though, I can easily get into a rut. I love your idea of setting yourself a client/purpose/parameters. I’m going to try that line of thinking. I’ve enjoyed reading the different perspectives on making images. Personally, I’ve changed my thinking recently of what I do as making/creating images instead of taking images. An aquaintance recently brought up that she was not sure how she felt about photojournalistic images she had been making — she struggled with whether the images were documenting a reality or actually taking something. That made me think about the subjects I had recently photographed. I believe making a photo is creating something that would not exist otherwise no mater it the subject is taking a little direction from you or if it is more of a documention of a moment through your lens. Great article — interesting conversation! Thanks again.

By: Peter Bryenton

Peter Bryenton — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:07:20 +0000

Yes, exactly right: stop taking pictures and start making pictures instead.

By: jack clarfelt

jack clarfelt — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:51:33 +0000

I have found asking myself some of the following questions helpful and it stops me rushing to press the shutter.
What am I doing? How do I feel about the object or situation I’m photographing? What am I trying to say? Do I need to try and simplify some elements and exaggerate others? Having a point of view puts me in chargenot the subject, how can I make it my own? It works for me
Photography is a search to express our inner voice.

By: Michael VanDeWalker

Michael VanDeWalker — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:05:30 +0000

It is as much knowing when NOT to press the button as knowing when to press it. If you slow down and take time to really look at what you are shooting you will find that you enjoy shooting more.

By: Can Berkol

Can Berkol — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:32:06 +0000

“Good photographers take great pictures, great photographers create images.”

I’m not sure.. For an ad photographer this statement can be true but for a documentary photographer or a fin art photographer it’s not the case.

Photography hosts many commercial & non-commercial distinct disciplines. Quite a few of disciplines require the photographer to be observative, and patient. In some disciplines time & luck are distinguished factors for incredible shots.

So basically; altough partially true I can debate on this statement…

By: valleyblog

valleyblog — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:49:42 +0000

I’ve been using only 256mb memory cards, because they limit my picture-taking to about 80 shots (on my 6 megapixel Nikon D40)… just to force me to think a little more about each picture before hitting the shutter.

It’s also great not having to sift through hundreds of photos every night.

It’s kind of like back in the old 36-exposure film days.