Why do people take/make photographs? To document and to keep track of past events, we can take photos of key past events, if that be on a personal level like celebrations of family reunions or a more public documentation such as Robert Capa documenting d-day through photography. Photography can also be used to experiment with new forms of expression, helping convey our opinions, if that be a political opinion, helping people spread their view point with a much wider audience; the purpose of photography could even be as simple as doing something we enjoy doing.
Why is photography important? Because it is not only a way of documenting us, how we are now in todays age but also to show future generations how we were. As well as being a growing art form for expression of opinion. In my opinion it is important because I like it, it is both a subject and hobby I enjoy, and we need to do stuff we enjoy, so by having photography as both a way of expression, a growing art form and as documentation.
What skills do you need to be a good photographer? A passion, anybody can pick up a camera and take a photo, but it’s the point of wanting to learn the skills and knowledge behind taking a great photo. You could also argue that there is no set list of skills as there is a huge range of different types of photography, so the skills needed for producing chemigrams as Pierre Cordier would have wouldn't be the same as the skills you would need for fashion photography like Lillian Bassman would have.
Robert Capa
Lillian Bassman
Cian Spelman
How many different kinds of photography can you think of? Portrait, landscape, experimental, photomontage.
How does photography help us see the world? If you were to answer in a literal state it could be that if you are in one place, you can look at a photo from the other side of the world to see what it looks like. But in a more metaphorical sense you can say that you may be looking through the photographers eyes, and he/she man be a different gender, ethnicity or religion and you may be able to see the world through their view point.
Can photographic images be trusted? No. much like people some may be trust worthy and some may not, if you were to look at advertising for example from a big mac to a model, a lot is photoshopped to look more ‘appealing’. But to look at a certain photographers work like Vladimir Milivojevich’s, because he shoots on film the manipulation is limited and there for may be seen as more trust worthy.
What are the similarities and differences between photography and other forms of visual art? Some similarities are that they can be visually appealing, deliver a message, and be free for people to both perform or view. However taking photo that is deemed ‘good’ may be different to creating an oil painting.
Annie Leibovitz
Cian Spelman
Rick Doble
When would it NOT be okay to take a photograph? Moderation is key, so it may never be not okay, but if there is a certain situation as a funeral, the family consent may be needed, to take an innocent photo of a women in a cafe in paris sitting with a book and a coffee may be okay, but her in her apartment in a revealing state may not. Its to do with consent and moderation, as well as opportunity.
How do you know when you’ve made a good photograph? You don’t, you just like it, maybe only for a certain amount of time, but this doesn't mean that if another person laid their eyes upon it they wouldn't fall involve with it even though you thought of it as ‘okay’. Its all open to interpretation. For example, just because Annie Leibovitz's portrait of a young girl used as a 'Les Miserables' poster therefor it is widely renowned and many people have seen it doesn't mean that as my photos are not widely renowned and not many people have seen them that they are 'bad'.
Are photographers also artist? Yes. I don't believe I need to say anything but the fact that it is an art form, there for they are artists. Much like director of movies can be called artist, even if they do not work with paint and a brush.
Where is the best place to see photographers? Anywhere, anybody can pick up a camera and take a photo, it also depends on what kind of photographer you are looking for. Street photographers most likely will be found on the streets, but those who work in studios will be found in studios.
What kind of photography interests you the most? I enjoy to capture moments, memorise which I want to remember, for example being with friends, or family holidays. But at the moment I would love to look more into experimental photography.
What confuses or frustrates yo about photography? Remembering how technical sides to photography work.