Do You Know Which Of Your Photographs Are The Best Ones?

Good Photo?  Piece of Junk?  I guess it depends upon who is making the judgment. (click to enlarge)
Nikon Z7; 24-70mm f/4 @ 70mm; 1/1100th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 64

After 50 years of being very serious about my photography, I still have trouble deciding which of my images of any particular subject is the best one.  I would bet many of you have the same difficulty as well.

If I make several photographic variations of a scene, I find myself not knowing which would be considered the best one.  I know what I like but sometimes I try to figure out which one an "expert" would pick.  Why is that?

In some cases, I'll ask my wife or a photographer friend, "Which do you like best?"  Just as often, their choice will be different from mine.  That makes things worse.

Of course, there are times when it is very clear to me as to which image is the best.  It might be because some images are slightly out of focus or there is some camera movement or motion blur of the subject or sometimes I see something in the corner or background of the frame that I didn't see when pushing the shutter button.  I wish picking the best image was easy with every scene I photograph.

Or, maybe there isn't a "best" one.  Maybe there are multiple images that are all equally good!  Now, that can boost one's ego!

Recently, I started thinking about this as I have a future blog post in mind potentially entitled, "My Favorite Photo of 2020."  Before the end of the year I thought I would go back through the images I made during this year and pick out the one I like best.  But is that one the best photo I made this year?  

Personally, I think some of the reason I have difficulty at times is because the "experts" in the art and commercial world of photography show photographs that are examples of excellence and fine art that, I think, are nothing to write home about.  In some cases, nothing more than snapshots.  Yet the "experts" say they are great images.  Museums display them.  Collectors pay big money for them.  Critics rave about them.  Obviously, I don't fully understand what good photographs look like otherwise I would see the excellence they are telling me about.  Opinions are like....well, you know the rest of that old phrase.

A best photograph is subjective, in my view.  A best product photo may have no digital noise, be perfectly lit and everything is in perfect focus.  Extreme detail is necessary.  A best wedding photograph may not be perfectly sharp but perfectly captures a moment and expresses emotion that is meaningful to the newly married couple, their families and friends.  A best fine art photo may be dreamy in nature and somewhat abstract.  What is best in once circumstance may be a poor example in another.

What I've described gives me pause as to my own judgment.  Just when I think I understand what constitutes a "good" image, I see something mundane, uninteresting and sometimes not even technically competent represented as great work.  As a result, you almost never read or hear me say that one of my images is good.  I almost always characterize my images as interesting—at least, to me.  I guess I really don't fully understand what's good, according to the "experts."

What has evolved is that I've largely come to ignore these experts today.  I know and understand the "rules" of what is supposed to comprise a "good" photographic image—thirds, for example, and other aspects of composition, subject matter, color, contrast, gesture, subtlety, focus, light vs. dark, leading lines, irony, etc.  We, as a photographic community proffer those rules then, almost in the same breath, tell budding photographers that they aren't hard and fast and to break them when they feel the need.  As for me, I know what interests me and that brings me to my last point.

I like what I like and I photograph for myself.  I'll pick out the singular image from a set that I like best, not because it conforms to some standards or rules, but because I like it best.

When all is said and done, I go back to what I've written many times before.  Photograph for yourself.  Don't try to please others.  Photograph what you like, how you like it to look and be happy.  Trying to produce images that are considered "good" by some so-called "experts" will only cause you frustration and grief.

Before the end of the year, I will publish a short post showing which image is my favorite from this year.  Now, if I can only decide?  I better ask some experts....   LOL

Join me over at my website, www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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