Seeing

Two people go out photographing - one finds lots of stuff to photograph, the other can't find a thing, yet they both like the same kind of photographs, and in fact the one admires the images of the other and bemoans why he can't see these possibilities.

So what if you are the fellow who didn't see any images?

Is it blind luck, is it a learned skill, does it take talent, are there particular skills you should practice in order to improve your seeing?

It's my observations that:

1) it doesn't seem directly related to the length of time one has been a photographer - there are people who 'see' as soon as they pick up a camera, and others who have been photographing 30 years or more who don't. There are even people who don't photograph who 'see' better than many hobbyist photographers.

2) the more artsy and creative in general the person is, the more likely they are to 'see'.

3) The more rigid and linear the thinking - the harder it is to 'see'

4) as a doctor, I see a lot of people with ADD, and as a group these people who find linear thinking nigh impossible, frequently are especially creative (even if they never finish any of their projects).

6) Becoming a photography expert (with lots of technical knowledge) isn't helpful.

7) Reading texts on photography is generally not helpful.

8) Looking at good photography is very helpful, the more the better. It takes effort and possibly outside help to appreciate styles of photography radically different from your own, but is rewarding if you persist.

9) looking at art makes you a better photographer.

10) looking for great images to take is a mug's game, instead look for great subject matter from which you might be able to find a great image.

11) be curious - explore the scene - open your mind to new possibilities - try taking pictures that are as far removed from what you'd exect would work as you can. Photographing a pretty scene, how about trying to make it look menacing.

12) Instead of railing against the quality of the light, or the telephone poles in the background, see if instead you can take advantage of what is offered. At the very least recognize the limitations that the conditions put on you and think about how best to work round them, even if you don't embrace them.