What is most important in photography?

Question

What do you think? When you want to take a photograph,which item is most important for you:
The subject or technic of photograpphy?
I know that both are important, but which one is most importnt for you?

Answer 1

You are going to get many different answers, but the answers are going to be based on the type of photographer. So what kind of photographer are you going to be?

1. If you are going to be a studio of event photographer then they are going to say tech. Cause you are getting paid and you have to have a certain number of quality photos to sell to the client. Even stock photographers use this.

2. If you are going to be a artistic photographer, then you know that you do not always have time to set up for the shot. You can not sit there and adjust everything, and set up lights when the photo opportunity might be gone in seconds. So you have to go on instinct. Sometimes you have to take 5 rolls of film just to get a couple of good shots.

This is photography. While I have respect for studio photographers, to me the real action is on the streets, were instinct is king.

Answer 2

Actually, the technique used to photograph the subject is most important. Anything can be a subject: A bride, a flower, a dog, a diamond ring even a pen. However, it's the job of the photographer to make the subject the most important aspect of the image. Without proper technique, this is an impossible feat.

Composition, lighting, posing, leading lines are all parts of technique. I can photograph any subject (as can anyone else with a camera.. professional or non) so that rules out the subject being important at all.

The better question is which portion of the technique is most important. Sure, composition and posing are nice. But a great photographer can break the rules of composition and posing and make the image fantastic. The single most important element in any photograph... the single most important element that can make or break the mood of a photograph... the most important element that can make the worlds best photograph horrible (or vise versa) is Lighting. If you don't know how to use proper lighting, then you have no place in photography.

Lighting controls the entire dynamic of an image. Look at some of the great images out there in the world. The composition and posing is nice. But imagine if the lighting was horrible... the image would suck. No matter how good everythign else was. Any professional will tell you, without proper lighting... you've got no photograph. After all, photography is writing with light.

Answer 3

Compostiion, is the most important aspect of photography. You need to look through the lens, get the subject set up in your mind and your lens, before you click that button.
It's important to have all your settings right, but a lot of that can be taken care of, later, on the computer, or when the print is processed.
But what you need, is to look at your subject, the lighting, the shadows. Have the picture that you want, in your minds eye, then arrange it so, that is what you see. Watch out for background, and make sure, all you want is in the frame.
Then you should have a good if not great picture.

Answer 4

For me, subject is maybe more important than it is for other photographers. I'm a cat photographer. I love taking pictures of cats, and of course I can take the classic cat calendar photos if people request me to do so. But I'd rather take more spontaneous shots of cats in action, in the effort to capture "catness" (possibly in a humorous way) and make catlovers smile when they take a look at my pictures. At the same time, however, I want my pictures to be artsy and pleasing to the eye. Subject and composition are vitally important for me. But I've taken photography classes to learn how to control my camera and develop and print my own pictures, so the technical aspect of photography is important too. A funny pose or a beautifully framed picture that is taken in the wrong light, or with the wrong settings, or that is printed awefully won't do for me.

Answer 5

I think its a mixture of both, I've had 3 'professional' shoots now and the 1st was awful because I didn't know how to sit/pose or whatever, the 2nd was awful because the photographer used standard house lights at night and the 3rd was spot on coz he had all the filters and light banks etc, plus I knew how to sit and pose a lot better.
Personally tho' I'd like to be made to feel as though I (the subject) was more important as whats the point of all that equipment if there's nothing 'pretty' to shoot,lol

Answer 6

I think the most important thing is a good eye. A way to look at something and see something no one else does in it. Or to see a different way of photographing it. Some of my photos have taken many tries to get what I want, but when I want it a certain way, no one will change my mind. If I let them change it then I am seeing it their way, NOT mine.

Answer 7

The subject. Don't have to bother with your technique, if you're not interested in the subject.

Answer 8

i say subject b/c if the subject isn't good then the technique for me isn't the best and the pic. won't turn out good.

Answer 9

to me it is the perseption

Answer 10

technique