Sketches

Would it be fair to liken many, if not most of our pictures, as sketches, much as a graphic artist, such as a painter, would make? Not every drawing is intended to be a finished work of art. Much of it is practice, working on details and techniques, and not intended to be exhibited. Another analogy would be in writing, with the Sh*tty First Draft. No one except the author is going to see it. It's an exercise..

Same with many of my photos.

Just wondering.

With best regards,

Stephen

When I shot medium format, I tended to shoot an entire roll on one subject, experimenting, playing around more with composition, filters, and even exposure. Sometimes I would start with an overall view of the subject, then begin moving in closer to what attracted me to the subject. So in that regard, I would agree with your "sketches" simile. I usually only expected to get one "keeper" out of the roll.

Now that I am shooting 4x5, I find that experimentation is done through the ground glass, but without exposing film. When I expose film, I expect to get a negative from which I can make a finished print. Sometimes it works and I get a picture that I am willing to show to others. Sometimes not.

I tend to agree with Dan. I shoot a much higher volume in 35mm. When out with 4x5 I might expose an entire two sided holder, sometimes only one sheet, occasionally I will not even take the camera out of the bag. And with my admittedly low printing volume most of my 35mm work to date is light table fodder. With the contact sheets excepting, of course.

Just attended a photo work shop and one of the topics that came up was about making a little sketch of the scene or subject before making the exposure to help with composition and such.An interesting tool I would like to use to help improve my photography.Have been using sketches in the darkroom to help plan out the printing of photographs,dodging ,burning in ,cropping and such,comes in handy.
Mike