by Gavin Seim: Here I sit hammering away on these keys at 12:30am, wondering why I’m still up. I’ve started thinking about that “EPIC” photo we’re are always trying to capture. You know the one. You see them in Magazines, you see them in other people’s work. Of course opinions on whats that epic photo may vary by your taste and experience level, but if you’re your own critic it might seem like epic images are everywhere but your own portfolio. Then again maybe it’s because you’re actually that bad! Just kidding.
What is Epic. In Websters I found this… “extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope” Bottom line is it’s that perfectly amazing photo we always want to bring home. There are unwritten rules in my mind that define the various levels of epic, but rather than confuse you lets just agree that to be epic it has to be really good. I get them sometimes, but often when I think I’m trying the hardest I have the worst time and I figured out why. It’s because an epic photograph is not so much about finding an epic subject as it is learning to make an ordinary subject epic.
For example. I have a far easier time getting epic portraits than I do with fine art. “Why is that” I thought to myself. It’s not because I can’t photograph other scenes well. Sometimes I mentally make the excuse that I just don’t have good enough locations to work with. “Maybe I need to go somewhere exotic” I think. But I know better. Washington is one of the most beautiful and varied places in the world.
Why then? It’s because on a paid portrait session the pressure is on and I happen to work well under pressure. I don’t get to choose my subject. I have to make my client look good and I have to do with in the conditions available to me in the time allotted. Yes it’s more stressful for sure but it makes me look deeper at how I can be creative with a scene. I don’t always achieve that epic image but I always bring home good work. On the other hand when I get in my car and go shopping for something from which to make fine art, I tend to look for the scene that’s already epic. Sure, I tell myself to look at the details because it’s easy to miss amazing things, but too often I just keep moving until I find something that strikes me as amazing. Something easy. I’ve made great images that way, but there’s so much more to see.
So how do I plan to change. How will the I become more better this year. I plan to start taking the time to make ordinary things into great photos. Maybe even to go so far as taking a specific subject (boring or not) and forcing myself to use that subject until I find a way to make an remarkable image from it. Anything can be an epic image if you use it right. In all my browsing I see photographers take simple things made epic. Sometimes I post them to my Twitter.
Bottom line… Instead of looking for the epic subject, look at how you can make your subject epic.
- 1. Epic simplicity for epic photographs. Reduce clutter, look closer, stay longer.
- 2. Ordinary or extraordinary, consider any subjects possibilities.
- 3. Don’t just shoot and walk. Take the time to make it good.
- 4. Consider post shoot creative editing possibilities.
- 5. Epic presentation makes epic images.
For lots of inspiring images on this note check out 1x.com. It’s one of the reasons I started thinking about this so much. I’ll also close with a few of my own pieces. Opinions may differ on whether these make the epic mark, but epic is part presentation too and all these made it to the level of being printed as canvas wall portraits which dramatically adds to their impact in person. These are some of my favorites from 2009.
Finally, lets hear your epic ideas or some links to epic images, galleries or videos. Have fun… Gav
Theres not one good image above let alone anywhere near “epic”!!!! Are you suggesting any of these images are epic? I hope not. No offence but these are snapshots and no more than that. As for the images of the boy reading on the bridge, the digital retouching is something to be desired. The fact that at the end of the bridge you have “burnt in” the greenery has brought the furthest distance forward to give a very uneasy perspective, but also a very odd halo around it. I only critise this harshly as you have published this work as “extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope” and put it out there as this.
Might it be just be my opinion but a lot of work has to be done to perfect photography skills before coaching others in photography. Can I ask if you have been educated in photography?
No offence intended.
Wow, Andrew- let’s see your work on what is “epic”. I went to photo school at Brooks Institute of Photography. Doesn’t make me any better than the next photographer necessarily. I took some time off to be a wife and mom and feel like I am starting over, with what I learned back in college trying to get out, but really I am learning a lot through my recent experiences as I start out again 5 years later.
So what’s your website address? We all want to see from a true professional what a good photo actually looks like- according to you. You also might consider proofing your comments next time around. People who post such slanted remarks riddled with spelling errors usually means the person hastily, emotionally wrote the comment with no real thought involved. True professionals have more than epic photos, they have good business skills, i.e. spell check and healthy criticism.
After you give us your site, then tell us what “perfect photography skills” are. After my 50k education I am dying to know what your teachers at your school (you must have gone somewhere since you asked Gavin about his education) told you what a perfect photo is. Also let us know if you make a full income supporting a family like Gavin does in photography alone. Next time you should let people know if you are even qualified to make such remarks.
You must really either be jealous or cannot see what we all see, and yes Gavin is a great teacher. Many of us tend to disagree with you. I personally have learned so much from him. I think if you do not have anything good to say you might just not want to say it. I hope you are not this critical with everyone that has good talent.
I think these images are all well above just good. Snap shots are not even a good word for them. Art maybe, but no snap shots here.
Ignore Andrew, what an idiot!!! Andrew please post your website or some link to you work so we can see what a “Photography Genius” looks like. I bet that you piss and moan about every single photo you see no matter what. You want to see some snap shots, head over to craigslist where you will find a huge number of “Photographers” who claim to be tops in their field and yet shoot 3-4 weddings a year for $500 each. Those are the people you should go after.
Huh, that is a very harsh critique.
Try not judging other artists but taking some good points away from a post. I think we can all learn from each others tips, without requiring degrees.
Degrees sometimes get in the way of seeing freely.
Today a degree gets you in the door, but that’s it. From then on its not much worth, you need to excel beyond what somebody teaches in some classroom.
Its all subjective. Creative artists often draw more criticism, simply because they do something outside the mainstream and the mainstream hates it.
I can see why you don’t like these heavily processed images, and I too have my doubts about them, but its another form of art, not entirely in the realm of photography.
People who criticize (notice that Andrew’s spelling of the word is criticise is the British variation, but we won’t criticize him for that) the loudest are usually the ones who are also deserving of the most criticism. Art is truly in the eye of the beholder, and while the shots may not be to everyone’s taste, they certainly are not, to reiterate what Laurie said, “no snap shots here.” I have seen much of Gavin’s work, and whether or not he has a formal photography education is completely irrelevant. His work is amazing, even enviable, and what’s most important, his clients like it, and his students respect him as a teacher. As Molly said, let’s see some of your work Andrew, so we can judge whether you actually have any basis for your criticism or if you are just blowing smoke.
Great Photos Gavin, I can’t believe the responses you got!!! keep up the good work
Ok
Firstly I am not backing down on what I said but I have re-read what I wrote and I have to admit I did come down a little hard. I wasn’t intending on a flaming post. I also think this has provoked quite an interesting reaction and discussion!
Molly: I am British so I shall spell the way I was taught at school and I have taken your advice and spell checked my previous post. There is only 1 error in my post which is the opening word “theres” I should have included an apostrophe [there’s] apologies for my error. But by no means was it riddled with errors. Also I have never claimed any of my work as “epic” but if I stumble across any photography websites labelling their work as epic and publishing it on the internet, I as a photographer need to ask if this is true.
California Photo Scout: I agree with every single word in your comment. Education is just the start of the bigger picture. Its like learning to drive. When you past your driving test its just the beginning. The more experience you gain the more established you become. You maybe taught textbook rules of photography, but once you learn these rules you can then learn how to break them.
The almost unanimous comment about us all having different tastes, likes and dislikes is also something I agree with. Personally these images don’t “do” any things for me and this is a personal opinion. I admit that. But I am also willing to express that. At this point I would just like to let you all know (as you are dying to know) that I have had formal training in photography and digital manipulation. (Photoshop ACE) I have been a professional Photo Manipulator for over 8 years and used Photoshop for even longer. I do not have a website with my images on for you to all scoff at and pull down unfortunately.
Are any of you other commenter’s professional photographers? You may comment what does this matter .. but then I must gage whether you are writing from a educated photographic background or self taught from websites and literature background.
I still think these images are over saturated, over manipulated and not greatly interesting composition. Looks like I’m on my own here but please if you have time check out work by photographer artists such as Andreas Gursky, Gregory Crewdson and Wolfgang Tillmans. Truly epic photographers.
I’m sure the slating comments will come back at me after this post!
Andrew I was not going to respond, but because of all the comments in support of me (which I appreciate all) and your response I figured I would.
First I don’t think you really read my post. The idea was to get myself and others to look closer to make simple things into great images. My pieces were there to add some spice to the words. I flat out said that whether my photos were “epic” was a matter of opionion beacuse I felt some might take my article as self proclemation. Was only reading what you wanted to hear also part of your education? OK that was cold, but you had it coming 😉
Seriously though. I don’t know you. Maybe you’re a great guy and maybe you do great work. I won’t complain about your spelling bacuse I screw mine up all the time. As for my images. I show these all the time and their very well recieved. If you consider them snapshots it’s OK, though I would wounder if your monitor needs calibration. Photography is my livleyhood and while I still have plenty to learn I also have a degree of experiance. I’m young, but one thing I have learned is that it’s always better to suggest how to improve something than to simply say it’s bad.
Take care… Gav
I cannot add to anything already stated here. Gavin reaches out like a friend throughout his work and so sometimes you let the bad in with the good. One thing I notice though Andrew, we’re still waiting……………….
Well this is a well trampled debate before we have even begun. For that reason I refuse to join. I will instead, scoff at Gavins refusal to (yet again, we’ve spoken about this before) use spellcheck. Andrew, our government is currently in the middle of an enquiry which will ultimately prove how American we are. You may as well start exchanging “s” for “z” now.
One final non contributary rant, Andrew, I promise not to scoff. I agree with both your choices on epic photographers (Tillman, really?) but in the eight years I’m sure you could provide a link or two. Tell me you don’t work for venture, you’ll hear my laughing from here.
All in good fun,
Tony.
I find it fascinating how objective people can be in the world of subjectivity. I have been taking pictures my whole life, and have shot professionally now for 30 years. As photographers, we are asked to make images that please our clients, but we often see clients choose images that aren’t “our” favorites, but hey, if they like them, that’s all that matters. When doing our “own” photographs, we have the opportunity to create images that we like. Gavin has opened my eyes to the post production possibilities in ways I did not expect. I have chosen not to be critical, nor jealous of other photographers images, manipulations or success. I appreciate learning what I can from simply taking in as many images as I can in hopes that it will make my next photograph s step or two closer to something truly epic. This sounds like another juicy topic for a future podcast. Chillax folks.