I'm curious to get the thoughts of you guys on this issue. I've been thinking a lot about it over the past few weeks...
Over the last few years, I've gotten asked the same question many, many times. I'm sure a lot of you have been asked the same question. And I've noticed that as I've been doing this longer, that question has been asked more and more. It happened to me today and several times in the last week. Scrolling through a few posts on here, I noticed that the same question has been asked a lot recently. The question: "How did you do this?" or "How did you light this?" As I've thought about it, I've developed a hatred for this question, but maybe not for the reasons you would think.
I've been able to meet a lot of amazing photographers in the past 6 or 7 years. And there's one thing they all have in common: they're really good problem-solvers. Not only have I never heard any of them ask the above question, but I think they'd feel like a failure if they ever did. It's not that they're unwilling to learn. It's actually quite the opposite. They know that simply asking HOW something happened ultimately teaches nothing. It's like asking for the answer to a math problem. As soon as the equation changes just a tiny bit, you're screwed.
So as I've been thinking about this, I realized that the true power of knowing something comes from the diversity of trial, error, success and failure throughout the problem solving process. Essentially, I'm coming to the conclusion that we need to be asking WHY the photographer made the choice that they did.
For us, our creative choices are almost always (I hope) driven out of a specific idea or vision that comes directly from our interactions with the couple. If someone simply asked us HOW and then tried to do it, the result would be empty. It would have no meaning. That's the shame of viewing a copy. There's just nothing there.
So, my fellow photographers, I propose two things:
1. Stop asking HOW. Take it upon yourself to figure it out. Problem solve. Fail. Learn the ins and outs. It will make you better and will help you incorporate things you know well into your every day work.
2. Stop telling HOW. When another photographer asks you how you did something, DON'T TELL THEM! Not because you're a jerk, but because you truly want them to learn. Tell them to go practice and come back to you with the results.
Let's raise the game for ourselves. Your thoughts?
For me 'how' can come into play for some very technical stuff or workflow, etc... but when it comes to taking or lighting a shot, I mean it really is not that complicated. The 'photography' part of what we do is the easiest part of the equation to master, it's all extremely simple math, and when in doubt there's a digital proof right there on the back of your camera. Try and try again.
I think the -how- question is effectively showing a lack of interest in truly learning and expecting to take a shortcut to nowhere.
Reminds me about learning how to swim.
I keep asking about the locations other photogs used and when they keep that secret, that's what pisses me most. I often learn by looking HOW others do. It' s kinda in between solution (between asking and trying to figure it out). There's things about posing that I had someone explain it to me. Because for mostly female clients I didn't know how a female feel about that. But one thing I'd agree is that I had to do it myself in order to understand it. I've read a lot of books, but many things came from practice. (kinda obvious). Sometimes, what helps to learn is to try NOT to do like another photog. Important thing is when I need someone to critique my work - know who to ask. I don't think that another (better) photog is a good idea to ask. I wouldn't treat the magic of learning process simply by don't ask-don't tell policy. There way too much into it.
Plus, it's all changes so fast these days that a lot of panic comes from the fear of being left behind. However, some basic fundamentals is what makes us all unique (hopefully). My $.02
I disagree. While the concept of trial and error / learning how yourself does have some merit, reinventing the wheel is a total waste of time and energy.
General if I ask how, it's to get a general idea of the approach or technique not to get a detailed explanation of every step.
People learn in many different ways. I am self taught, and having someone point me in the right direction has been a life saver. No one can figure out everything for themselves. That's why there are books, teachers and mentors.
This is why my teaching the fundamentals of lighting is always around the WHY. What mood do you want to create with your light? What do you want to highlight or stand out? Mostly it falls on deaf ears as most that I end up teaching just want magic bullets. Well said.
I think there are two sides, and IMO the how and why are both important.
We know that "how" is fairly easily answered by those who understand what they did/how they achieved a desired result. This is knowledge therefore easily passed on, although many photographers might choose not to do this. It is useful knowledge because it allows repeatable results through a fundamental understanding of certain technical aspects that were required, whether it was subject angle, light angle, framing, etc...without this knowledge, people are left guessing and learning the hard way. Kind of like learning something without any formal training or tutelage or internship...
However, who will answer the why? How can you really learn the why? Why did the photographer decide to shoot with this specific light or angle? I would guess that a fairly consistent answer for this is one of several things: 1. Experience teaching them how to work with particular face/body styles, 2. personality and mood of the clients, 3. what was available to the photographer at the time, 4. mood and knowledge/worldliness of the photographer. But how can this understanding be shared? It's only possible if the photographer can solidify the ideas and rules in their own head for sharing verbally...otherwise it is left as something natural and variable as the way the wind blows, and just as easy for the novice to comprehend the reasoning of.
I say both are important. Once I understand how, I often want to know why. However, I want to know both.
e.g.
How: "I chose to use x light in x position while placing body in x pose and showing lots of x background in x way/angle."
Why: "Because x light was already present and I only needed to fill x area, and I wanted to accentuate x part of x subject, which was further drawn out by the contrast of the consistency of x background color, etc.."
I disagree. While the concept of trial and error / learning how yourself does have some merit, reinventing the wheel is a total waste of time and energy.
I disagree with this. In such an industry where everyone runs a pro a photography business and is Instagraming everything out of their new D9000 camera/lense combo, if you aren't innovating, you're already losing.
Undertstanding the "how" is the easy part...understanding (and connecting) with someone else's "why" is much more challenging. And, I think that many people (especially newer people) don't have much of a "why" other than that they saw someone else who is successful do it already.
To those who disagree because they'd prefer to be guided. i think there's something to be said for failing. When I first learned off-camera flash I did free sessions for my friends so I could practice. I read manuals and watched whatever I could. Then I failed at it. A lot. I think there's a lot of merit in just plain old hustling.
I've been shooting for, what, 6+ years now...and the only why's I understand are, "because it's distracting" and "because she looks good to me from that angle/with that light."
That's part of why I feel pretty inferior as a photographer. Can't seem to pick up anything else.
form wrote:
However, who will answer the why? How can you really learn the why? Why did the photographer decide to shoot with this specific light or angle? I would guess that a fairly consistent answer for this is one of several things: 1. Experience teaching them how to work with particular face/body styles, 2. personality and mood of the clients, 3. what was available to the photographer at the time, 4. mood and knowledge/worldliness of the photographer. But how can this understanding be shared? It's only possible if the photographer can solidify the ideas and rules in their own head for sharing verbally...otherwise it is left as something natural and variable as the way the wind blows, and just as easy for the novice to comprehend the reasoning of. ...Show more →
But this is exactly my point. The best photographers master the WHY. They are very rarely separated by technique, but by vision and timely and appropriate execution.
How are we supposed to learn the why? God knows if I don't have some massive epiphany I never will understand. There is some logical mechanic to some of it, and an emotional mechanic to it too...and I don't understand either.
That's why I'm mediocre at everything. Not because I don't want to understand, but because I can't ever seem to understand.
form wrote:
How are we supposed to learn the why? God knows if I don't have some massive epiphany I never will understand. There is some logical mechanic to some of it, and an emotional mechanic to it too...and I don't understand either.
That's why I'm mediocre at everything. Not because I don't want to understand, but because I can't ever seem to understand.
Why is the epitome of what defines a photographer's style.
I'd propose that you don't learn WHY you light a photo, because that comes from within you. WHY do you take the photo? Is it just the money? Is it because taking photos is just fun? Or do you have some reason to take the photograph that provides more than aesthetic value to the client?
Have an opinion. Make a decision. I'd say that Tony's work is so incredibly amazing and unique is he has a vision. He has a WHY behind every photo, not just to take a photo that was backlit for the pure novelty of lighting a photograph. Nothing is by accident. I'd bet that he, and others, don't even bring the camera to their face without first visualizing in their head what they want to capture. And its not just a simple composition, they envision expression, romance, laughter, love, sorrow, well before the picture is taken. Both in anticipation of emotion, and in the creation of it.
jeremy_clay wrote:
Why is the epitome of what defines a photographer's style.
But there is "why" that is style and "why" that should be basic knowledge. The basic knowledge part is the fundamental understanding of situational effects, and the style part is the personal method of implementation.
It seems to me that Tony moved from the How to Why step himself. I think if we wanna grow this is a good step to aim towards to but yes, it won't happen overnight. I can see myself doing things 3-4 years ago, I'd never do today. Internet's a game changer too. We all can SEE what others do almost instantly. Whether we like it or not, we all copying from each other. Therefore learning from each other. Learning by seeing what works, what doesn't...
form wrote:
How are we supposed to learn the why? God knows if I don't have some massive epiphany I never will understand. There is some logical mechanic to some of it, and an emotional mechanic to it too...and I don't understand either.
Shoot more and change gear less.
I know for me I spent 4 years shooting people for free, taking every online course I could get, and had a mentor that believed in the same philosophy that Tony is laying out before I ever charged a dime. My mentor loathed when someone asked him how he lit a photo, he learned it by trial and error and working through the shoot. He also felt other's were trying to shortcut to get there and would never have a solid understanding of the why. The longer I shoot, the more I begin to understand this.
Fast forward a few years later, my own personal journey is still early on and I can take a technically good portrait. But I am at a new point, and for me this year is about connection with my subjects (portraits especially). The less I have to think about the technicals of a shot, the more I get out of the subject of the shot itself.
The way we shoot should be our own "WHY" as the style, vision, believes, relations, personality - all of those are part of our brand, speaking business language.
this is my believe:
“Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”
jeremy_clay wrote:
I disagree with this. In such an industry where everyone runs a pro a photography business and is Instagraming everything out of their new D9000 camera/lense combo, if you aren't innovating, you're already losing.
People say this all the time but I'm not convinced it is true in any way. Most clients lack the photographic vocabulary to know what is truly innovative Plus, many (most?) clients aren't trying to have innovative weddings - most are still following traditions and going through the right of passage. So "innovation" may not be a core value that is driving client decisions.
I agree with Tony that so much talk of HOW is what is in large part the well-intentioned road leading to the stagnation of the industry.
This is actually something I've thought a lot about recently as well. Even broader than photography--like life choices. I know it's a bit philosophical but why do we do any of the things we do? That's more important than how we do it. I was also thinking about it in the context of relationships/friendships. There are a LOT of people that are 'passionate' about photography or other things that I'm interested in. But the Why behind it often can affect how closely I can relate to a person.
As far as photography...
I think the "how" is important and interesting, but without the context of the "why" it can easily lead to imitation. Why do people shoot through flowers or objects in the foreground? A lot of why people do that now is because it looks cool--but the invention of that may have stemmed from solving a problem (i.e. busy scene and no where to move to isolate subject). The Why can inform us on how to solve other problems as they arise.
To be a devil's advocate though, the HOW is a tool. Just like a specific lens, or another piece of equipment. Technique (how) is essentially just another piece of equipment, like using a macro lens specifically for a ring shot, or a telephoto when you want compression, etc. I think it would be interesting to see people posting examples of Problems and Solutions--that could be a good tool for learning.
