how to answer such an email?

First, you have made nice images/photographs :-) I would like to use the term "make" instead of "take" since your images are mostly processed. I agree, photography is manipulation in that sense.

I have a great interest in photography, but lack the technical aspects (serious about making professional photographs) and I guess the FAQ section on your homepage shows probably how many times you would have faced this question about Camera/Systems from "wanne be" photographers rt?

Well, my intention on writing this mail is my keen interest in knowing the resources, books or any other form of material you might have used to learn about the technical as well as the design aspects of photography.


Hope I have not taken much of your time and would appreaciate if you could give some advice on the learning material part :)

Thanks and Regards,

First and foremost - I'm flattered that the fella finds my images 'professional'. But then 'I made them by processing' comment turns me off.

There are so many people on NPN whose work I really appreciate and have had an opportunity to communicate with. It is the artist in them which interests me more than the 'technician/craftsman'. The latter is the easier part. Now I do not pretend to be an artist of that league, I still have many more miles to go. But how to respond such an email?

Should I suggest him to wake up early every morning for a year. See the subtle differences and not just walk. Something I did for good part of my life. And that too without a camera in hand.
Or just write any generic books on the topics. or suggest to use a website called as google....

I'd suggest a website called, naturephotographers.net
there's quite a lot of good info there


Wim

I like the idea of a generic book. Some people simply won't believe there is a great deal of time, experience, knowledge, solitude, contemplation, growth, insight... well you get the idea, involved in photography and that one can learn it all from reading a book. For those I recommend starting at the bottom. Experience is always the best teacher. They seem to be asking for the "technical aspect" of photography and the world is full of books to explain that.

From having done a fair number of festivals and galleries shows, there seems to be a signifcant part of the population that simply doesn't "get" photography. If it is a nice image, obviously it was done in Photoshop. They just don't understand the amount of work that goes into the capture of the image, the number of failures and the fact that if you do things right in camera, the amount of Photoshop work needed is absolutely minimal.

I even have one Velvia image:

http://www.danborzynskiimages.com/landscapeimages/large/MIUP/LakeSunday.htm

that I had to tone *down* to make it even vaguely believable.

I suspect, given the e-mailer's comments, that you won't be able to convince him about the need for understanding photography but it might be worht trying.

I'd start by pointing him here to NPN. Possibly John Shaw's books on the basics, Art Wolf's website and National Geographic magazine. The last is because they are really touchy about PS work, especially after relocating the Pyramids a few years back. It also shows what someone who really knows what they are doing photographically can accomplish with minimal PS work.

I really don't think you are going to "win" this one so maybe just try to point him in the direction of basic photography skills.

I suspect, given the e-mailer's comments, that you won't be able to convince him about the need for understanding photography but it might be worht trying. >>

Thanks dan. My thoughts really. People do not appreciate it really...the effort that goes into making of an image, the frustrations. They still don't get - junk in junk out.

Prashant,

Take the high road. If you leave out the "mostly processed" statement, the person may simply be trying to make the point as we all do here, that we "make or create" photographs, we don't "take" them. He/She may have been trying to pay you a compliment. And why would someone make an accusatory statement and then turn around and ask you for information?
There could also be a language translation issue; just from the very first sentence, I'm guessing English is not the primary language?

Again, take the high road; offer the person some web links, a couple book references (the couple listed above are good,) and perhaps a couple of sentences explaining the "walks and noticing the subtle differences..." Get to know you local environment, observe the light as it changes through the day, the seasons and the weather. Get involved in a camera club or online community like NPN... (remember though, if you refer them here, they might read this...)

And I completely agree with Dan. Many people just don't "get" it. But it doesn't mean they can't learn to understand and being helpful will take you a lot further.

Lon

I dunno... my read on the email was that it was a total compliment. The processing statement was followed by the fact that he agrees with the concept. I think it was just clumsily worded because of a second language issue.

I see it as pretty complimentary also. It seems like the person is more worried that they won't be able handle the graphic artist part of photography. New photographers always seem to use photoshop as a barrier of why they can't have their photos hanging everywhere.

"Thank you for your email and compliments about my photography. At the high end, creating a great image is an equal balance between capture (taking) and processing (making). The goal is to get the best of both worlds so that one's personal and artistic visions can be fully realized."

Then through in a link to NPN as noted above.

That's good Gary, although I think that a lot of the 'making' by successful photographers happens before the 'taking' as well as after it.

That's good Gary, although I think that a lot of the 'making' by successful photographers happens before the 'taking' as well as after it.

Hello!

I'm with Lon here. Maybe it's all just badly expressed in some way - I'm not too skilled in English and found myself in weird communication places before. Besides that, "taking" and "making" go hand in hand - especially in digital photography.
Just add a hint, that light and timing are often overseen aspects of photography and that he/she should think about that as well.

Be a "NPN" guy - be nice and helpful.

Cheers ... Andreas.

Treat and appreciate all critique as valuable. Then the semantics are irrelevant. As for a book on design, consider Art Fundamentals by Ocvirk, Stinson, Wigg, Bone and Cayton. It is in its 10th edition.

Bill Brennan