Can you learn to be "artsy"?

[Papa Deuce]

I want to try to get many of the types of photos you all have, but honestly, they never occur to me.

Can you learn to be "artsy"?

 

[mabas9395]

Can people in general learn to be artsy? Yes.

Can I learn to be artsy? Nope.

 

[makinorlando]

Papa - (waving at Philly - I'm a bit homesick - doesn't happen often!)

I would not classify myself as artsy as some and in real life (outside of photography) I am not creative or artistic at ALL- but since I've had my Canon S2 - I find myself coming up with some pretty good stuff - in my eye.

You need to look outside the "box" - look at things really close up, look at things from an different angle - lay on the ground stand on bench, etc - you get my idea -

Look at the big picture and then focus in on something small but interesting - shapes, colors, textures, etc.

Some other folks might have more "technical" advice - but all of my "artsiness" comes from my heart or what makes me feel good!

The beauty of digital is that if it doesn't work - you haven't wasted anything. Get out there and play!

Good luck!

 

[manning]

Papa - (waving at Philly - I'm a bit homesick - doesn't happen often!)

I would not classify myself as artsy as some and in real life (outside of photography) I am not creative or artistic at ALL- but since I've had my Canon S2 - I find myself coming up with some pretty good stuff - in my eye.

You need to look outside the "box" - look at things really close up, look at things from an different angle - lay on the ground stand on bench, etc - you get my idea -

Look at the big picture and then focus in on something small but interesting - shapes, colors, textures, etc.

Some other folks might have more "technical" advice - but all of my "artsiness" comes from my heart or what makes me feel good!

The beauty of digital is that if it doesn't work - you haven't wasted anything. Get out there and play!

Good luck!

In short yes, look at makinorlando. She has come along way since she started.

You have to keep shooting to get what they call a camera eye. After awhile it almost becomes second nature. I found that out along time ago when I used to shoot alot. I don't do anywhere near as much now and I find myself having to study before I shoot.

Realize every shot isn't going to be a keeper. One of the secrets in the pro world is to shoot alot to get the few you want. That's why they had motor drives in the film days.

So, go to it and have fun!!!!!!!!!

 

[jann1033]

i agree with mak..imo digital helps your "creative side" due to the fact you can always delete with no cost to anything but your ego i also think reading articles on compostion etc, looking at other's photos and seeing what appeals to you, what you don't care for helps you develop a "style" of your own but mostly taking tons of photos which digital allows. just like anything else some might have more of a natural ability but we can always expand whatever natural abilities we have through use. which imo it somewhat different than most creative pursuits ie music, painting...with photography the techniques are more readily available to anyone since it doesn't require as much physical control that either you have or don't have.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I agree with the others.

I take a TON of photos (for example, I took over 2000 shots at WDW in a week). I find that if I keep photographing the same things, I am forced to look at them differently, because I don't want thousand of pictures of the same exact view.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Thanks! I guess it is Practice and Patience....

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I think you can certainly develop your "photographer's eye" ... that is, to become more artsy.

I've noticed that since I've been shooting with my Canon S3 that I tend to look a little differently at the world around me.

I like to take my camera outside, just around my house, and take pictures of things that I've never really paid any attention to, before. I tend to switch to macro/super macro a lot, getting really close to flowers, plants and bugs.

If I see something that catches my eye, I take a picture. Then, I look at the picture in the LCD and think about ways to improve it; better composition, use of DOF, etc....

*I* think my photography has gotten better....

 

[Master Mason]

Thanks! I guess it is Practice and Patience....

also, look at others photos, see what you like about them, and then try and duplicate that, as you go, you'll find things you like and things you do well.

I have been working on low light long exposure stuff for a while, and just got a couple at DL last month that I thought were pretty good.

 

[bopper]

You could try looking at some "artsy" photos that you like and try to figure out why they are "artsy".

Is it that there is a depth of field? (some parts in focus, some not)?

Is it because of the composition ?(Not just a person stuck in the middle of the photo)

Is it because of the subject? (not just the castle or a person)

Is it because of the texture? (close up so you see the texture of something).

Is it because of the lighting? (Shadows create interest)

Is it because of contrast? (lights on darks)

Is it because of how close you are to the subject? (Close ups of people are usually quite interesting)

Is it because of the candidness of the photos? (people are naturally acting/interacting and are not posed)

Figure out what you like and see if you can try to recreate some of those things to get an idea of how they do it.

 

[tinksdad]

Great points above. What is "Artsy"??? It's kind of personal. That's why it's hard to judge or be judged when it comes to photography. Like Mark said a few days ago about a local contest and the guy had a hectic day and few photos were "appealing" to him (I'm paraphrasing here).

I've been trying to train my eye to get that unusual perspective, or alternative look that will be interesting. It will be a work in progress for the rest of my lifetime I'm sure!! What is interesting to me, is that once you start down that road, things do strike you as interesting and might make good photos that you overlooked before.

I drive down the road and think: Oh, that would be cool with the light hitting it just so! Or: If I get down on my belly and shoot up and light is coming from this certain angle, THAT would make an interesting shot.

Just start doing it and make your own niche of what interests YOU!!

 

[sk8belle]

As others have said, I think of it as trying to find a different angle on things. Sometimes quite literally. I'll take one shot of the subject straight on. Then see how it looks filling the frame, then from the other side from where I'd taken the first shot. I'll just keep experimenting. It's the beauty of digital, as Kevin said.

Here's an article from Outdoor Photographer that may give you some additional ideas.

Just get out there and practice! After awhile, you'll start to see the world around you differently.

 

[photo_chick]

IMO one of the best ways to get more "artistic" in photoraphy would be to take a class. Not a general how to use your camera class, but one maybe in the art department at a local community college. The assingments will get you looking at things yo unever though of in frames, and the one on one critiques in class will help you. I also agree that looking at others work is very helpful to get you to see things in frames as well. Also finding your own style, which only comes with lots of shooting and time, will help.

A few people I would google....
Edward Weston
Diane Arbus
Walker Evans
Margaret Bourke-White

Also visit some local galleries.