Digital Photography is an art, possibly all of us we can agree with. However, it includes technical component. Thus, the usual clash between art and technology in digital photography occurs frequently and violently. We are sure that you will have friends who know by heart the catalogs of cameras and lenses and are quick to judge the superiority of one technique over another. In their picture, nothing is ever left to chance. On the other hand, a group much more haggard is composed of the purest artists. For them, there is only self-expression, any rule or stiffening imprison them. They only need to point and shoot, there is some who study manual. The truth is that, the two have to coexist, but not opposed, but how much is about technique and how much about art must be in your photos?
Digital Photography : Where the Problem Arises
The problem is that many people tend to exaggerate, to want to see everything in black or white. This makes things easier, in every field. But the extremes are always wrong, in real life and in photography. Prefer the technique that is towards art or technique, as needed else to apply all those precise set of rules on each photo they will respond with complete loss of artistic and expressive value. Sticking to technique also makes it impossible to innovate, if you are forced to move within fixed binaries from someone who came before you.
On the other hand, believe in the superiority of an art is almost anarchic, technical or without rules, without having to knowing the technical parts (camera, lenses, flash, etc.) related to digital photography.
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Digital Photography : The Technique is a Bewitching Siren
For many photographers, not just for the beginners, is very easy to fall into the arms of faith in the technique. It has the advantage of leaving a few uncertainties and to give satisfaction which is rather immediate. Read books and tutorials on web, study diligently and you will know exactly which wangles to choose from. Each photo becomes a list of instructions to be executed, a guaranteed recipe for success. In fact, a technically correct photo is objectively correct. If the exposure is correct, the focus is right, the colors are dominant, maybe it respected some basic rule of composition, no one can argue about its beauty. Also, like known for many things, knowing all the features of the equipment, learning all the techniques, knowing all the rules, gives immediate satisfaction. It is something that can rattle off any conversation with other poor photographers.
Know all about the cameras and photographic techniques does not gives a warranty, to take good pictures. A photo from an inexperienced may look beautiful, to a discerning eye might seem sterile.
Digital Photography : The vagueness of the art
When a photo is more artistic, more an expression of you, makes you uncomfortable to show it to someone. The beauty of art is subjective, some may love your work, someone else might despise them totally. This creates great insecurity and therefore many prefer to keep away. Better to just know the equipment and perform the techniques. In addition, the “artistry” of a photo is not measurable. We can say that there was a little shake-in one click, but not that a feeling that is expressed more or less in very well. defined manner. We can say this, but we must admit that, this is subjective.
Conclusion
In a discipline such as digital photography, the technique is essential, but must be accompanied by an artistic and creative effort. Technique comes chronologically first, the art comes first in order of priority.