The Art of Seeing - can it be acquired or trained?

[flashback]

Pardon me snipping the well-meant advice which I did read through; I assume that "you" meant me, the OP and that the above question was addressed to me.

After having to look up "angst" (Wiki: Angst means fear or anxiety (anguish is its Latinate equivalent, and anxious, anxiety are of similar origin)) it seems that my OP may have misled you. I have none of the foregoing, being simply an old man who is resigned to the fact that he ain't quite as slick as he used to be - like one or two other fellows here . . .

Ted, as is often the case we likely have had a miscommunication, I was really speaking in broad terms to everyone. So I wasn't interpreting you or your specific question as being burdened with angst but responding to (or in anticipation of) comments from others who seem to get really caught up in the specifics of what you were asking, namely; how can I, or can I, conceptualize a final image even before I've taken the image, the 'art of seeing' you reference.

So I stand with the advice I gave with regard to your question of 'seeing.' Just take lots of pictures.
Take B&W photography for instance; learning how to 'see' in B&W, I can't do it. I can make some guesses if a scene will work (better) in B&W but I simply won't know for sure until I've made the conversion. But I do get that the more I were to force myself to 'imagine' a given scene in B&W, the closer I would eventually come to knowing if a scene works in B&W and/or what was needed to make it work. But since I (mostly) shoot street there's seldom the time to compose, much less pre-compose a scene. Basically I'm kicking in the door and taking a couple of quick shots.

[xpatUSA]

Ted, as is often the case we likely have had a miscommunication, I was really speaking in broad terms to everyone. So I wasn't interpreting you or your specific question as being burdened with angst but responding to (or in anticipation of) comments from others who seem to get really caught up in the specifics of what you were asking, namely; how can I, or can I, conceptualize a final image even before I've taken the image, the 'art of seeing' you reference.

So I stand with the advice I gave with regard to your question of 'seeing.' Just take lots of pictures.
Take B&W photography for instance; learning how to 'see' in B&W, I can't do it. I can make some guesses if a scene will work (better) in B&W but I simply won't know for sure until I've made the conversion. But I do get that the more I were to force myself to 'imagine' a given scene in B&W, the closer I would eventually come to knowing if a scene works in B&W and/or what was needed to make it work. But since I (mostly) shoot street there's seldom the time to compose, much less pre-compose a scene. Basically I'm kicking in the door and taking a couple of quick shots.

No problem, Jack.

As some here will tell you, I am a past-master at both miscommunication and misunderstanding

I am heading out to the front yard, as we speak, to get some practice in - based on all y'alls advice

[Max von MeiselMaus]

Don't forget the beer!

[Max von MeiselMaus]

I had another thought, because thinking is one of my many vices. Why not set out your artistic vision in an artistic statement, to help you reflect on what you do, why you do it do and peg out what you are after? It might help focus your thinking. Artistic statements are generally bombastic, incomprehensible and deeply pretentious nonsense designed to impress people with your artistic perspicacity. So, someone who paints blank, white canvases might say "My work is about the void between the desired and the actuality. It is a nihilistic statement into which the viewer can project their own frustrated needs and broken dreams". However, if you make it just for yourself, you can avoid the worst excesses. Have a think about what moves you to produce an image, what your images are about and your influences.

And if you can't think of one, use one from the Arty Bollocks Generator. Ready made. http://www.artybollocks.com/

[NorthernFocus]

...Artistic statements are generally bombastic, incomprehensible and deeply pretentious nonsense designed to impress people with your artistic perspicacity....

I have very few rules in life. But I think I just created a new one. When I have to have a dictionary at hand to read a forum thread it's time to unsubscribe from it...

Photos anyone? Of anything? Pleeeease?

[Manfred M]

Don't forget the beer!

Beer is fine if the facilities are nearby to get rid of it after having some... Definitely a drink I prefer if I do action / sports photography.

In the summer, I'm more into fruity whites, like Rieslings or Gewuerztraminers when doing landscapes. Somehow, German wines with a touch of sweetness work well with summer shooting.

Winters call for a more robust red. Either before or after shooting, I would recommend a nice Merlot to either get one in the mood or to warm up after being out in the cold...

[Max von MeiselMaus]

And the only problem with drinking while shooting is the last, few shots. I recently did some photos for someone who wanted to showcase a line of doll clothes.

This is how is started out. Nice, grungy GQ vibe going on.



This is how it ended up.



I have absolutely no idea what is going on there, but it seemed like such a good idea at the time. Add to that the risk of forgetting to adjust your aperture and the knocking over the lamps (so many bulbs lost) and it is probably better to stick with spritzers.

There, Dan, photos. Not that they are likely to convince you to persevere with the thread.

[flashback]

I have very few rules in life. But I think I just created a new one. When I have to have a dictionary at hand to read a forum thread it's time to unsubscribe from it...

Photos anyone? Of anything? Pleeeease?

[Loose Canon]

Artistic statements are generally bombastic, incomprehensible and deeply pretentious nonsense designed to impress people with your artistic perspicacity.

And if you can't think of one, use one from the Arty Bollocks Generator. Ready made. http://www.artybollocks.com/

Now that is, sadly and without a doubt, the funniest thing I have seen all day! Sad because I see so much of it! Funny because some people actually buy into it!

I'm off to generate some bollocks!

[IzzieK]

Ted...I find that my creative juices flows when I am with my camera taking pictures of this and that all day and at least half a day, with or without my tripod of course. When I go back to my laptop to upload my shots in the HD, saw the results, then I thought...I should have done this, or should have shot that way or I don't like this one...in short I start thinking...and in the process, always ends up doing and wanting to take another shot and another until I achieved the end result. So the answer to your question is a resounding YES! our minds can be taught and the soul comes to teach our mind, vice versa...because of persistence. There are times we cannot think of composition, sharpness, etc. because the scene unfolding before us needed quick recording, hence just do the best in the situation sort of thing...

Creativeness and composition takes time, so I tend to slow down take in the view then shoot. Normally what most normal people do I suppose...even with music. I had not touched my piano for two weeks now because I got busy collecting my thick music books and having them rebinded at Fed-EX, then I sat down on it yesterday and found I haven't lost my touch and became more creative because I shut the door behind me...I was alone in the house by myself and created what I thought was the best I have ever played. It is that "alone-ness" concentration that does it for me...

[barrydoig]

I am just about to turn 80 and have been 'doing' photography for over 50 years and I am still learning to see. I devour books and go to workshops, all of which help me. Freeman Patterson's 'Photography and the Art of Seeing' is still my little treasure. Recently I went to a seminar by a very creative local photographer (and friend of Freeman Patterson) who said some thing like 'Dont try to make it happen. Walk around the subject. Take your time and let it come to you' That idea of letting it come to you was the best piece of advice I have heard in a long time. Let it come to you.
Barry from Down Under

[topol]

What an interesting thread, and so relevant to me.

Two years ago, I decided it was a shame for my little Kyocera camera to be sitting in the cupboard doing nothing, so I got it out, and started playing. Results, to say the least, were "mixed", but I felt that I should be doing better, and that perhaps a newer / better camera would help.

Last year I bought my current Fuji, but......................something's still missing, and I think it's inspiration - I'm not "seeing".
To try to explain, sometimes I see a wonderful picture [maybe on here], but I think to myself "if I'd seen that subject I'd never have thought it would make an interesting picture"

I've tried various genres, and shown some on here, and always been grateful for whatever comments and/or advice that have been given, but I remain uninspired.

[topol]

Woops, double posted - sorry.

[John 2]

I had another thought, because thinking is one of my many vices. Why not set out your artistic vision in an artistic statement, to help you reflect on what you do, why you do it do and peg out what you are after? It might help focus your thinking. Artistic statements are generally bombastic, incomprehensible and deeply pretentious nonsense designed to impress people with your artistic perspicacity. So, someone who paints blank, white canvases might say "My work is about the void between the desired and the actuality. It is a nihilistic statement into which the viewer can project their own frustrated needs and broken dreams". However, if you make it just for yourself, you can avoid the worst excesses. Have a think about what moves you to produce an image, what your images are about and your influences.

And if you can't think of one, use one from the Arty Bollocks Generator. Ready made. http://www.artybollocks.com/

This thread meanders on but that link has given me the best laugh all year.