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what SIMPLE thing can people do to make their photographs better?

Do a safelight test for your darkroom.
 
I've been 'making' exposures to film for more years than I might like to admit. (secret.... it is now over 65 years... and I can but hope for many more
I have now come to "HATE' the expression "shooting" with a camera ('loaded' with light sensitive film)
i was 'taught' by my mentor some 60+ years ago that when activation the shutter I was MAKING an 'exposure' to the film.. OK .. I was 'collecting/trapping photons that would 'normally have gone 'elsewhere' (hopefully.. to do some 'good').
As of today, I will no longer read past the line where the word 'shooting' has been used to describe the physical action of physically exposing light sensitive film behind a camera lens.

While I am more than unwilling to be 'clamped into the 'stocks' in the village 'square' for posting my 'idea' might be willing to read other 'image makers' P.O.V.

Ken
 

That and stupid “souping” film.
 
I don't give a flying # what anyone calls it. It's the pictures that count.
 
Cholentpot said:
I love taking snapshots and loading the magazine with a new clip. 36 shots is good for my aim.

A simple thing to do to make your photographs better?

Take it easy.
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LOL you forgot DUDE,
now im gonna load up a camera shoot about 12 frames and soup it in an old boot and some pixie dust.
 
I still think the best way to make better photographs is to see better. All of the good photographers I know view their surroundings from the perspective of freezing it on film or sensors, whether carrying a camera or not. Developing, printing, scanning, photo-shopping, etc. are the easiest part of the pursuit.
 
When Brett Weston came by our university and showed us his prints, Brett used 'shoot'. Our instructor (and ex-assistant to Brett) mentioned that "shoot' was not a good term to use. Brett made a point of using 'shot' and shoot' the rest of the time.

Personally -- I use the light reflecting off the landscape to create an image.
 

Yes!
 
jnantz said:
LOL you forgot DUDE,
now im gonna load up a camera shoot about 12 frames and soup it in an old boot and some pixie dust.
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Whatever maaaaaaaaaan.

Monobaths and Stand development are like, hurting the beginners.
 
Sirius Glass said:
That and stupid “souping” film.
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I agree. How much better it is to use the term "developing" or maybe "processing". Are we all in such a hurry that we can't spend the fraction of a second, if that long, to say either of those words, both of which pertain to photography much more than "souping". Also, why not "expose" a photograph. Would that not be even more descriptive that "making" a photograph? It might also be beneficial to people who use English as a second language for those of us in the English speaking countries to not use other "slang" words........Regards!
 
Shoot B&W film using one lens with one filter for a while. Learn to pre-visualize your shots, look at the light, ignoring colors for a change.
 
Then you must not be using an incident light meter. That's a joke son, a joke, that is. Or maybe not. Also could Brett have been more than a little self-important?.......Regards!
 
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In my life, I have learned that I have never learned much that was useful from people who agreed with me, but I have learned from people who disagreed with me. This has also been true with photography. Most people like color, I don't. I find this makes me better at B&W. I think it also makes me pay more attention to B&W composition or maybe composition, period........Regards!
 
The FIRST (and probably the only advice I might offer)... is to 'repeat' the advice offered me by my mentor some 65 years ago.. Go and MAKE some photographic images worth either hanging on your wall... or publishing in a book.

Ken
 
Follow the manufacturer instructions, develop your own film, make your own prints. Take your time.
 
jtk said:
Yes!
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Yes!
I was in a museum, not that long ago, and I had this awareness come to me: the master painters saw the scene, "understood" it first, and then, and only then rendered it. Some of the artistry maybe mostly with the vision, more than the paintbrush?
 
eddie
this is very true, but it is not easy for most people it takes years of practice learning how to see and squint and remove the clutter and know.
IDK, it might be what one might call a false friend
 
Arklatexian said:
Then you must not be using an incident light meter. That's a joke son, a joke, that is. Or maybe not. Also could Brett have been more than a little self-important?.......Regards!
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Took me a few seconds to get that! But yes, I use spot (reflective) meter. Brett would also show his work without saying a word about them -- he was important. He was swinging by our area after visiting his brother over the mountains to the east...Cole, I believe.
 
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