‘if you are not prepared to draw it, don’t photograph it’

[cliveh]

I once heard the quote ‘if you are not prepared to draw it, don’t photograph it’. I thought that was quite good advice. Would some agree?

 

[summicron1]

i might disagree if I knew what it was supposed to mean. One reason I take pictures is that I can't draw a straight line with a ruler...

 

[markbarendt]

That thought/rule is too rigid for me.

 

[snapguy]

unknown

And who is this unknown sage that you are allegedly quoting -- Bozo the Clown, or perhaps a sketch artist who was thrown out of work when newspapers and magazines shifted to photos? Or perhaps an unemployed Wedding Sketch Artist or a dude peddling criminal mug shots sketches?

 

[bobwysiwyg]

Terrible advice if it even qualifies as "advice."

 

[BrianShaw]

That advise is worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[jp498]

I'm really bad at anything requiring a pen/pencil. Doesn't seem to hinder my photography though.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

The quote means to assemble the scene mentally before going anywhere near the camera, akin to conceptualisation of the finished product. It is often spoken of in traditional art circles, where the reverse is also true (where a scene is first photographed and then drawn/sketched). There is nothing wrong with taking the literal meaning either — essentially, it's not a directive, but it is very good advice.

 

[Alan W]

One of the most useless pieces of "advice" I've heard in recent times.Laughable,really.

 

[cliveh]

And who is this unknown sage that you are allegedly quoting -- Bozo the Clown, or perhaps a sketch artist who was thrown out of work when newspapers and magazines shifted to photos? Or perhaps an unemployed Wedding Sketch Artist or a dude peddling criminal mug shots sketches?

If you think this is advice by Bozo the Clown, then obviously you think it worthless. I think it has some validity.

 

[horacekenneth]

I think it means just to take the same care with a photograph that you would with a drawing. If it isn't worth 30 minutes of sketching why would it be worth a second of photographing? Treat your photographs with value.

 

[markbarendt]

I see validity in having a plan for a given shooting session. Even in picking one camera, one film, and having a good idea about how you want to portray the subject.

What I want to leave room for is serendipity, I want the subject to show some personality, and I want to be able to improvise if something better pops. I am willing to have a failure because I was trying to get something a bit better.

 

[Vincent Brady]

I think the expression has truth attached to it in so far as if something fails to inspire you to sketch it (if you had the ability ) then it is hardly worth it to spend time photographing it.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I'm not very good at drawing so I use a camera.

Jeff

 

[Nuff]

The quote means to assemble the scene mentally before going anywhere near the camera, akin to conceptualisation of the finished product. It is often spoken of in traditional art circles, where the reverse is also true (where a scene is first photographed and then drawn/sketched). There is nothing wrong with taking the literal meaning either — essentially, it's not a directive, but it is very good advice.

I agree as well, I think too many people look at face value of the quote instead of deeper meaning of it.

 

[frank]

Adaptation: if you are not prepared to photograph it with film, don't bother to photograph it with digital.

 

[frank]

All film adaptation: don't bother to photograph something in 135 format, if you wouldn't bother to photograph it on sheet film.

It just means: be selective.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I learned decades ago to be extremely selective. However, my reasoning was slightly different. If I knew I wouldn't want to spend hours perfecting the print then I didn't bother taking the photo.

 

[markbarendt]

All film adaptation: don't bother to photograph something in 135 format, if you wouldn't bother to photograph it on sheet film.

It just means: be selective.

I think you get the just of the saying well.

But part of the joy I find in using 135 is in the speed and simplicity and low cost. I can take shots with 135 that I simply can't physically make happen with sheet film.

 

[mike c]

I was given this advise several years ago as an exercise to help my composing skills. Just a basic block drawing that is shaded using pencil or pen, don't need a camera. Also find it helpful to squint my eyes sometimes, never did get one of those Kodak or Zone VI B&W viewing filters.

 

[gzinsel]

dear cliveh, I think that advice is spot on!! for real ! no sarcasm . for fine art. this is very true. if you use a film camera for party pics maybe not so much. But, I use that mantra everyday. In fact, I would go far to say that if you can not go back, time and time again, both or either_ in real time and internal time ( memory, expectation, etc) then it is not worth the film and time. Photography was not meant for the disposable world, thats my opinion. I think people make exposures on "stuff" that their hearts and mind are not truly invested. That image therefor is not compelling enough. It might, or, has "something" but not enough. This idea also goes into editing your work too. the image needs to compel you . Like in the movie, the exorcist: when the priest is throwing holy water on the girl and saying " Let the power of Christ compel you !" over and over again, and getting more and more angry about it. Its that kind of intensity you need for your images, IT NEEDS TO COMPEL! If in your heart and mind you are not that vested in it, walk away. Life is short and stick to the the things ( images) that are for you, "your christ" as in the movie. "Your own private idaho" or what ever you want to call it.

 

[lxdude]

If you think this is advice by Bozo the Clown, then obviously you think it worthless.

Not necessarily. Bozo the Clown could draw large audiences.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

If you are prepared to draw it, do not photograph it.

 

[analoguey]

On first reading, seems quite senseless.
But PDJ's explanation makes it sound better.
Afaik, most of the discussion here is around contemplative shooting, so a bit superfluous here, maybe?
(Of course, there is also the thread which discusses the 8fps Nikon f5....)

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Well, I can't draw. Not even on an Etch-a-Sketch. But I do always try to think in advance about what it is I am trying to say. Sometimes what I want to say is serious. Sometimes it's silly. Sometimes it's trivial. Sometimes it's for others. Sometimes just for me.

But one thing it isn't is random. Because if it were, and something accidentally meaningful were to result, then that result would not be my result. And, in my opinion, taking credit for it after the fact would be at best an attempt at prescient hindsight, and at worst intellectual plagiarism.

It would not have been my idea to begin with, having only happened as it did by chance, and thus could not be of my own creation. That does not preclude that it may be good. Or even great.

It just means that it wasn't really mine, since I could not have known what it was even going to be until I first saw it after it had already happened.

Ken