What's more important to you in a photograph?

[NKT]

Just a little curious as to what the general public likes to see in reef/aquaria photos. Tell me above all your #1 priority in a shot:

 

[Len]

Are we allowed to comment, or would that sway opinions?

 

[NKT]

Comment all you want, Len, you're the admin. You can do whatever you want. hehe.

 

[azcaddman]

I voted for composition, imho too often the picture is waaaayy too busy, no 'main subject', so your eye just wanders aimlessly around the frame.

I believe some have called them 'salad bowl' reef pictures

 

[Anonymous]

It's a tough call. I voted for 'sharpness/clarity' because sometimes when I'm looking at a photo, if it's just a regular pic of an ordinary thing, then I can still be amazed by the sharpness of the photo.

Plus, it's not a fair poll, because I love porn...



Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

I voted for sharpness/clarity because that is what I have the most trouble achieving.

Louey

 

[samw]

Vivid color, contrast, and sharpness are what I look for. Some of the nicest images that I've seen from Kodak for example are pictures of colorful hot air balloons or sailboats or race cars, etc. To me, images of brown or dull things just aren't very interesting (with exceptions of course).

One of the reasons that I prefer marine tanks over freshwater tanks is because marine tanks are much more colorful.

From the above list, I would go for sharpness.

 

[george_III]

Hmmm.... that's an easy one:
You see... if I was looking for a clear and sharp photo of a fish, I would search the encyclopedia..
So if the photograph was ment to explain to me what a certain creature is - it should look sharp and clear and nothing else matters.
But if I look on a photo as an act of fun - I nned it to touch me. I need it to reflect emotions, to mke me laugh or cry or angry or something...
It should cause some reaction!

Or else... it's not worth the time...

Oh well.. and I also like porn... :wink:

 

[marco_l]

definately composition.
I need something to look at. The pic can be really sharp and all but still dull cause nothing is there to see

 

[Len]

Hey George and Marco:
WELCOME TO REEFS.ORG!

 

[TS]

I couldn't vote, because by the wording of the question it sounds like you want to know what I look for in a "great" photo and a great photo always has all of the above- except for porn, which would be a bonus.

I thought GregR's clownfish photo in the fish contest certainly qualified, a shame it didn't make the finals- probably because there are so many clownfish shots out there- but few are as good as that one.

Travis

 

[george_III]

Thanks Len :wink:

TS - well, I guess that's why they say you can't argue about a taste.
cause.. I wouldn't agree with you on that one

I looked again on that clownfish you mentioned. It's a great photo! no doubt! But it didn't make me feel anything. I mean... not even all the eggs around. Just like another photo taken from a scientific book.

UnderGrad's 2 peeping heads, and Jinjit's 3 tenors on the other hand made me feel something. They both made me laugh. Like a cartoon or something.
Travis Staut's yawning damsel also made me feel as if I was looking at something happening. The clownfish is not "happening" it's a frozen image... It don't make me feel curious as for what comes next...

I think that what makes the difference...

 

[danmhippo]

Len, you better know which category I belong to by now :twisted: ............................

 

[Anonymous]

It all comes back to porn, doesn't it?

...as it should.

Peace,

Chip

 

[muka]

It's obvious! w/out the composition you have no picture!
All the others are important at the same level. But you need first a good composition before you have any picture at all

 

[Anonymous]

I voted for sharpness/clarity because that is what I have the most trouble achieving.

Louey

That's just what I was going to say. I have such a hard time getting sharp pics that I am quite impressed when I see a nice crisp shot.