The Most Important but Elusive Secret of Being a Good Photographer

The Most Important but Elusive Secret of Being a Good Photographer

If you are lucky, you will meet some fantastic photographers. It's a real privilege working with them, isn't it? There are common factors most good photographers have. But, above anything else, they all have one thing in common.

What Is a Good Photographer?

I should start by saying what I mean by a "good photographer." A good photographer takes a good photo. To do that, they know how to compose and expose a shot. They then use the camera and lenses that are best for the job they want to do. All those things are subjective choices, and what they decide is best for them isn't necessarily so for everyone. Importantly, they know that.

They happily accept that others will come to a completely different approach to getting the best shot. Those photos may not be to their taste. However, they take notice of other methods of taking a picture.

Good photographers also look at different camera systems to discover what they could do for them.

Bad Photographers and the Art of Photographic Failure

Therefore, one can conclude that the opposite of bad photographers who quickly criticize others while thinking their point of view is the only valid one. They invariably believe their way of getting a photo and the camera system they use is the only way. Similarly, if they don't like a particular genre or style, they believe it has no value for anyone. They cannot take any criticism about the system they use and are affronted by anyone who suggests a different opinion from their own.

My evidence for that? Look at the comments section of most camera reviews; you will see people jumping up and down and making derisive comments about the kit. They will then attack the person who wrote the review and sometimes their photography.

Compare their photography to the galleries of those who praise articles and other people's photos. Those with a more positive outlook invariably take better pictures. Those with the worst attitudes will have no gallery and hide behind a false persona to cover their (probably) justified low self-opinion.

The strange thing is that people with an opposing viewpoint are far more likely to comment on an article than someone who is positive-minded. It's as if they are trying to compensate for their lack of ability by trying to run others down.

The Best Camera Is not the One You Have With You

Camera brands have little to do with successful photography. Good photographers will appreciate the kit's good points and accept their camera is not perfect. A bad photographer will defend their choice of camera to the death, no matter what, and take every opportunity to snipe at others. A camera is just a camera; a good photographer will take good photos with it, no matter the brand or model.

You Are Better Than You Think You Are (Unless You Already Believe That)

Many good photographers don't appreciate their skills. They don't have false modesty about the quality of their work either. However, they do realize they are on a journey of constant development. Moreover, they are always searching for ways to make their photography better. Whether through experimenting with new techniques, repeatedly photographing the same subject in different conditions, or delving into new genres, their photography is about improvement. Bad photographers invariably have an over-inflated idea of their skills.

One common factor that many bad photographers use to rationalize their belief that their way is best is that they use their length of experience to validate their point of view. "I've been photographing for 35 years." That is rarely a reasonable justification, as some of the most exciting photographic work comes from younger photographers.

Do You Share Your Knowledge?

Good photographers always share their knowledge big-heartedly. Their generosity of spirit is essential to them. They revel in helping others become better at what they do. They celebrate other photographers' successes too. Look at most of the great names in photography; they are renowned for imparting what they have discovered and the skills they have honed.

Tallest flower, first plucked.

Tallest tiger, first hunted.

Tallest tree, first felled.

Anyone who becomes successful at what they do becomes a target for others who will try to destroy their success. That kind of conduct is almost expected in the modern world, thanks to trolling on the internet. It's the same appalling behavior in some media outlets, and even some of our leaders incite hatred. This sad reflection of the darkest side of human nature is something we should not accept in photography.

But it does happen in the photography world too. I've seen it even at the club level. One expects club leaders to support their up-and-coming members, but I have seen them cruelly attacking others' work that is better than theirs. Clubs that are run like that are rarely successful, and sometimes, those actions ruin the enthusiasm of talented beginners.

Similarly, great names in photography are often the target of jealousy-driven scorn by those who are less successful. Brushing off criticism comes easily to the successful photographer; after all, they have nothing to prove.

A successful photographer could change the last word of the above poem to "photographed," although the five-seven-five format of the haiku will no longer work. That's okay because the most successful photographers rarely stick to convention.

The One Thing That Makes a Good Photographer Great

There is one thing, though, that makes a good photographer stand out. That is their passion that shines through in their photography. That is probably one of the hardest things to convey in an image. It is more than the technical abilities, getting the correct exposure or depth of field right. It is more than composing the shot to comply with one compositional rule of another. It certainly has nothing to do with the lens or camera. Embedding our emotions is the one thing we should strive to achieve with our photography.

How do you do that? If you find joy in the sunrise, wonder at the finest details of an ant, deep friendliness towards your model, amazement at the feather patterns of a bird, excitement at seeing a predator hunt, or fascination in the abstract patterns, then you have succeeded.

However, sadly, there will always be those who fail to read that passion in your images. But that's their problem, not yours.

Ivor Rackham's picture

Earning a living as a photographer, website developer, and writer and Based in the North East of England, much of Ivor's work is training others; helping people become better photographers. He has a special interest in supporting people with their mental well-being through photography. In 2023 he became a brand ambassador for the OM System

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18 Comments

As usually excellent and to the point, Ivor! My point of view: I've been shooting with different kits and approaches since the early 80's, but I don't have the impression that my photography has gotten much better with it. So why should I presume to criticize others who, in my opinion, take better pictures? Isn't it better to use these pictures as inspiration? I think definitely 🙂

Very true, Klaus.Thanks for the kind comment.

Well said, Ivor! There is nothing so exciting to a good teacher as seeing the light come on in their students' eyes, provoking their curiosity, challenging their thinking to rise to new heights, and subsequently reveling in their students' maturation and successes.

Thank you, Willy. That is very true.

I agree about people who've been photographers for years not necessarily being good, but I'm not sure we can say that perceptible passion is the criterion for judging quality. Rather than photography, think about what it takes to be a good musician. A youngster at a Suzuki recital may show passion for the violin and the songs he's playing, but if he misses notes, has poor tone, and no sense of rhythm, we wouldn't put him in the "good" category quite yet. Similarly with photography. You need to achieve a baseline of technical skill before what you shoot can be considered good. Sure, you might get an accidental shot that is appealing, but could you replicate it? At the same time, someone who has technical skill but little in the way of innovation or creativity won't typically impress us.

I would say that a good photographer is one who has mastered the technical skills that are essential for the craft, has a strong sense of composition, and seeks ways to frame shots or capture subjects that are unique. Overriding all of that is whether the photographer has the ability to convey an emotion that others respond to -- sentimentality, shock, appreciation of beauty, etc.

And of course, what equipment the photographer uses is irrelevant. I've seen people take shots with top-of-the-line gear that is dull and I've seen fantastic shots from smartphones. The old saw about the head behind the lens making the difference will always hold true.

Thank you, Michael. I have a different opinion, but it's okay to think different things.

I believe any child has the ability to become good at anything to the best of their abilities.

If you put a pencil in the hand of a dozen five-year-olds, they will all draw to the same standard. Give them violins and they will all play to the same level, a pretty painful level to listen to, I admit. Some will be inspired by drawing and develop those skills, others will be drawn to playing the violin, beating drums, singing, dancing, or taking photographs. Of course, it's their parents and teachers who help inspire that passion. (Though I have also seen that passion destroyed by adults too.)

People are drawn to a particular creative skill because that is where their passion lies. I've yet to meet a child who desperately wants to be a violinist who doesn't become good at it, nor any creative skill that they are passionate about. The grade 1 violinist who practices and longs to improve will be good. They will progress to level 2 and become good at that.

Similarly, I have had photographers who are absolute beginners come to my workshops, and they take a high proportion of fabulous photos despite knowing little about technical skills or compositional theory. When they grasp those, they have a higher success rate, but they were already good. I have had others who had no experience at all and really struggled at taking shots that pleased them, nevertheless they progressed to be superb. I haven't yet had any who wanted to become better who didn't. I don't think there is anything that inhibits someone from improving other than the delusion that they have mastered the art.

For me, a good photographer can be at any level of skill or knowledge and they always have a passion for it, which equates to a thirst to improve, whatever their level of expertise.

Well said Ivor!

Thanks Justin

Amen to this article.

Thank you, Steven

You nailed both sides! Yes the passion is always invasive to personal life. Change in meal hours not to interfere with golden, blue and star times. No TV due to study of the many apps on pad/phone for good times years in advance. Awaken at 3am for Milky Way that rises at 5 am for just one hour in February's new moon and even do a pano with a little rise color. Forever stopping and never getting to destination hotel during leaf peeping.Have a closet full of modified tripods. But the most is you study everyone else photos for locations/times but never travel but good for planning IF ever you are there one day. Lastly ready for the challenge of a capture, like the last image forgot tripod plate but handheld bracketed with new IBIS camera and new 12mm lens when others were on sticks with 35mm 5 years ago. All after just another image and off to the next. And never a sell but just gifts to those who show interest.

Super photos, Edwin. Thank you for sharing them and carry on enjoying your adventures,

The photos accompanying the article show importance of 'seeing' and how many ways there are to shoot the same subject, none inherently better or worse than another. Different focal lengths, compositions, weather, time of day, season, foreground and more. Finding beauty and wonderment in all things is the core of my love of photography.

Thank you. Wherever I have lived, and I've lived in a few different countries around the world, I found that the natural world changes every day, sometimes the change is subtle and sometimes profound. For me, one of the joys of landscape and seascape photography is the ongoing search for that perfect light direction, intensity, and color that works with the location, and deciding upon the settings that best suit those conditions.

Thank you, I needed to read this. I often find myself getting into creative ruts that turn into depression and fear that I'm not good enough. At the end of the day, I know that I love taking photos and the process of creating something that is beautifully mine. I also love seeing what others come up with and hearing about there creative processes as well. I sometimes just need someone else's word to get me motivated.

It's those who think they are good enough are usually those who aren't. For me, the joy in the creative process is far more important than and essential for the end product. Thank you for taking the time to comment and for letting me know that the article was helpful.

Wonderful article, I think you are so right.

Thank you Ruud