what makes a great picture?

The more I mature as a photographer, I begin to realize the answer.

I have found that the one greatest thing that makes a photo great is its ability to convey a deeper feeling to the viewer.

I used to break down photography into composition, exposure, lighting, post production work, and every other minute detail - a common practice for beginning photographers.

but in the past year, i have seen so many great shots that defer from the "rules" or aren't even the least bit spectacular in any of the before mentioned categories (lighting, composition, etc.)

but they're amazing shots because they can convey more than just "pretty picture." i've seen a lot of great work, like from Anouk Morgan [link] , that do just that. Anouk has what I call "romantic vision." To see her work is much more full filling than those perfectly executed cookie-cutter shots that i used to praise.

I want to shoot something more than just those pretty pictures. More than cookie-cutter shots. Something people haven't seen before.

But to convey emotion is the hardest by far.

i feel like my portraits are lacking something important. they're quiet portraits. they're not loud, energetic, or anything like that. when i shoot the models, i feel like im holding back for some reason. as if i feel my skill level isn't high enough to pull off something that my imagination wants to create. i think what i need to do, is just forget about failure, and forget about getting a great shot....i just need to go for it and shoot to kill.

i know my gallery is an eclectic group of photos. i have a few still lifes, a few car shots, and some portrait shots. but lately i've been trying to do glamour/fashion photography. but every now and then i'll upload something different because i like to vary what i do. so yeah, i probably wont be doing as many still lifes or the stuff i used to do and i'll be concentrating on shooting models more. so i would expect that sort of photography from me in the future. right now, im not so good because i've only been doing this portraiture for a few months. but im working hard to get better. and i've been lucky to shoot beautiful models.

-justin aka art-inept

979 pageviews right now! 21 more until 1000! yay for some of you this is sad, but i'm happy lol

okay so i reduced prices on my prints to bare minimum in an attempt to sell something so that i can raise up a little more money to buy a new camera setup. so i ask you all to please take the time to check out my prints account.

thanks,
justin