Developing an artistic eye

[Mirage]

I was reading some of the past posts and one question keeps bugging me. How do you develop an artistic eye for photography? Is it something you can learn or is it something you have to be born with? I'm new to photography and I'm just starting to learn about all the cool stuff you can do with a camera, but I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to develop an artistic eye. (My kids seem to take better pictures than I do.) If it's something you can learn, how do you learn it? Are there exercises to do or something? I'd really like to learn.

[pippafox]

crikey - i cant answer your question, Mirage, but i would hve thought that if you appreciate what is around you then you do have an 'eye'.
there is loads you can do to improve technique just by reading advice people have given in their comments on images here at byte.

if you googled 'how to take better pictures' i expect you would find a wealth of information.

pippa

[SMcEvoy]

Mirage, some people are born with a natural eye for placement and composition, however that is not to say it can't be taught/learned.

Google 'Rule of Thirds, Photography' and you'll find a lot of sights like this one that help with composition of photography. http://digital-photography-school.co...ule-of-thirds/ - now, it's not to be said rules aren't made to be broken, but until you get the knack, it's a good place to start.

I'd suggest taking one photo of the same scene positioning the key subject in different areas of the frame. (With digitial this is easy and cheap!) See which one you like and why. You can divide the one you like into the grid of 3 x 3 and see where your focal point has been placed. Chances are that it will be at one of the intersections on the grid instead of dead centre. Go through some of the photos here at byte too to see how they are composed.

I have been told I'm one of the fortunate ones - have a knack for composition, but I learned a ton off byte about the technical. I've seen a lot of the 'techies' on this site become a lot more adventurous in their composition on this site through feedback and trial and error.

So happy shooting and learning - and learn from your kids too - they have a completely different eye for things. I speak from experience on that having seen completely different (and very good) photos from my 11 year old, of the same subject that I was shooting.

[Mirage]

Thank you for your answers. I'll keep playing with the camera and I'll watch the kid's pictures a little more. I've been looking through the pictures here and some of the comments and I think I'm beginning to see a little bit more of the things you're saying. I can tell this is going to take a while, by the time I figure it out, my camera will probably be way outdated! Ha ha!

[ncredneck]

I'm sure you see pictures, yours or by someone else, that appeal to you. Take the time to ask yourself "What is it about this picture that I like?" Analyze it.

Read the comments that people in byte make about posted pictures. Apply those comments to the pictures that you like.

Over time you will begin to see how the various elements discussed at byte work to make a picture attractive. You will see that pictures that follow the "rules of composition" please you more than those that don't.

When you get to that point, you are developing an artistic eye.

Bob

[Rrdjserv]

I think photograhy is composed of natural talent and artistic ability. Unfortunately, I was born with neither. It's like playing a musical instrument. Everyone can learn if you practice, but only a few will become famous. When I look back at the photos that I took only 3 years ago, the ones that I thought were good, I now consider trash. I hope that means that I am still improving. I think that if you put in the time and effort, you will become pleased with your output. --Rick

[Mirage]

Well...I better hurry up and learn, 'cause I'm getting old and you never know when the eyesight will go....

I just had a discussion with my daughter the other day and when I mentioned my age, she just kept saying...STOP!!!!...you can't be that old! LOL!!!!

And I'm feeling it even more than she is....

And another thing...pretending you're younger really doesn't make it so....the body just keeps reminding....

Seriously though...I'm really trying hard to understand the rule of thirds thing...and I'm beginning to understand a little...and my camera has a mode that puts the lines on the screen so you can see where things are....now I'm just going to have to find time to play with it...

Wish me luck!

[Rrdjserv]

Good luck, Vicki. And I totally understand about that age thing. :-(

--Rick

[Mirage]

Shhhh...don't tell anyone...but I think this is my midlife (I need to do something creative) crisis....