Just Because It Is Old Does That Mean It Is Good?

This is not a great image nor a portfolio-worthy one in my opinion but it is a photo I like
of one of the kinds of subjects I enjoy seeking out and photographing. (click to enlarge)

In the title, I am referring to photographs, of course.  My contention is that just because photographs are older and even made by one of the much heralded master photographers of yesterday, does automatically make them great or even good?

For more than 50 years, I have studied photographs made by hundreds of different photographers since the middle of the 19th century.  There are several YouTube channels that I follow that highlight the work of many of what are referred to as past ‘masters of photography.’  In both instances, the photographs I study and at which I look are old—made decades or even a century or more ago.  But does that mean they are all good?  My answer is no.

There are a lot of crappy photographs being made every day.  There have been a lot of crappy photographs being made since the dawn of photography.  Conversely, there are fewer excellent images being made today and many photographs from the past 175 years remain excellent as well.

We know the names of photographers that are portrayed as being masters.  But a lot of their work is mediocre or worse.  Just because it is old or made by a photographer labeled ‘great’ doesn’t mean it is good.  Most of every photographer’s work is not good.  Few images are great.  In fact, most of the great photographers of yesteryear are known for only one, maybe two and rarely three of their images.

I see the work of many of these masters’ work showcased on YouTube and I can only think that the majority of their work are not masterpieces.  Some of their work is just plain ordinary, snapshot-like and probably shouldn’t be shown along with their best work.  But seeing them is important.  Seeing them gives us a better understanding of who they were and how they saw the world.  So there is value in looking at ordinary photographs.

The upshot is don’t think you need to try to create your own portfolio-worthy photographs every time you go out.  They are few and far between.  As there is value in looking at ordinary images, there is value in creating ordinary images in your own journey in photography.  Just try to do your best work and the ones that you like the best will naturally rise to the top.  Like the past masters, the others will exist, but not be your best work.  Use them as a learning tool to become better at seeing.

Most of all, photograph for yourself.  You’ll be most pleased with your work if you do.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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