The perfect photo

[JoeWhitley]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if any of you guys know of a picture that is perfect - or as close to as possible - technically?

It doesn't matter what the subject is etc, I would just love to see what everyone agrees is an excellent bit of photography.

The thing is, I've seen a few that I thought were flawless but a lot of critics on here have said something is out of focus or the composition is wrong. It would help me a lot if I could see what you all consider to be really good.

Thanks a lot,
Joe

 

[Doog]

I don't think there is a "perfect" picture. It's all subjective. There are technically competent, but everyone likes different thinks from an image. Also, there are brilliant pictures which are less than technically perfect:shrug:

 

[KIPAX]

I agree with Dougie.. No such thing as the perfect picture in everyones eyes IMHO

 

[Jaffster]

I don't think there is a "perfect" picture. It's all subjective. There are technically competent, but everyone likes different thinks from an image. Also, there are brilliant pictures which are less than technically perfect:shrug:

Agreed. Not to 'blow my own trumpet' or anything but both of these photo's got onto Flickr explore and were #1 on their respective days.

This one. Not as 'interesting' as the next, but the lighting is far better. The subject is doing nothing particularly interesting but the lighting is good, balanced and the image looks good:

This one. More interesting than the last. Subject is doing something cute/interesting/funny. Lighting not so good. Subject was too far forward and his face is under exposed. This got far more interest than the previous picture.

It is all subjective. I've found that photography is a skill, but having a good subject is just as (if not more) important.

 

[JoeWhitley]

I don't think there is a "perfect" picture. It's all subjective. There are technically competent, but everyone likes different thinks from an image. Also, there are brilliant pictures which are less than technically perfect:shrug:

I agree with Dougie.. No such thing as the perfect picture in everyones eyes IMHO

I know what you're both saying and didn't think there would be a perfect image. Just wanted to see a few that were properly focused, composed, exposed etc. Wanted to know what I have to aim for if you know what I mean.

 

[JoeWhitley]

Agreed. Not to 'blow my own trumpet' or anything but both of these photo's got onto Flickr explore and were #1 on their respective days.

This one. Not as 'interesting' as the next, but the lighting is far better. The subject is doing nothing particularly interesting but the lighting is good, balanced and the image looks good:

This one. More interesting than the last. Subject is doing something cute/interesting/funny. Lighting not so good. Subject was too far forward and his face is under exposed. This got far more interest than the previous picture.

It is all subjective. I've found that photography is a skill, but having a good subject is just as (if not more) important.

Thanks for this, it makes a lot of sense.

 

[KIPAX]

Agreed. Not to 'blow my own trumpet' or anything but .

Both could be cropped better IMHO especialy the first one that should ahve slightly less room below the feet than above the head... shouldnt be even and certainly shouldnt be more below

Picky? yes.. Everyone agree? No thus they are great pictures but wouldnt make everyone think they are perfect.. thus answer still same for OP

 

[Harvey_nikon]

Perfection, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

For me a perfect picture doesn't need to have perfect composition etc, it has to mean something, tell something.

 

[gazfy]

I don't think there is a "perfect" picture. It's all subjective. There are technically competent, but everyone likes different thinks from an image. Also, there are brilliant pictures which are less than technically perfect:shrug:

I agree with this too. Everyone has a different taste so it would be impossible for one image to be posted that everyone would say was technically spot on. It's what I love about photography, it's not a mathematical formula and there is no definitive right or wrong. Just personal preferences.

 

[simonblue]

I know what you're both saying and didn't think there would be a perfect image. Just wanted to see a few that were properly focused, composed, exposed etc. Wanted to know what I have to aim for if you know what I mean.

Aim to develope your own style,for better or worst.

 

[Werecow]

I'll try find one. While i'm at it i'll go dig half a hole and work out how long a piece of string is too

There's not going to be a photo that everyone thinks is perfect, in fact there'll always be a percentage of people who hate said photo.

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if any of you guys know of a picture that is perfect - or as close to as possible - technically?

It doesn't matter what the subject is etc, I would just love to see what everyone agrees is an excellent bit of photography.

The thing is, I've seen a few that I thought were flawless but a lot of critics on here have said something is out of focus or the composition is wrong. It would help me a lot if I could see what you all consider to be really good.

Thanks a lot,
Joe

 

[Kemble3]

My perfect photograph will be.......................my next one!

Ian

 

[JoeWhitley]

I get what you're all saying then. I'll start a new thread and word it a little differently! Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[JoeWhitley]

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=332681

 

[PsiFox]

The perfect photograph is, somethig to aspire to always, yet never achieve.

 

[lexie]

Agreed. Not to 'blow my own trumpet' or anything but both of these photo's got onto Flickr explore and were #1 on their respective days.

This one. Not as 'interesting' as the next, but the lighting is far better. The subject is doing nothing particularly interesting but the lighting is good, balanced and the image looks good:

This one. More interesting than the last. Subject is doing something cute/interesting/funny. Lighting not so good. Subject was too far forward and his face is under exposed. This got far more interest than the previous picture.

It is all subjective. I've found that photography is a skill, but having a good subject is just as (if not more) important.

those are two crackers, seen them on flickr before. my girlfriend even makes me check in on how your dog is growing up

my take on the whole 'perfect picture' issue is that it doesn't exist. what i see today and think is the most perfect picture i've ever seen can be superceeded by something i see in a week, a month or a year from now.

it's all in the eye of the viewer anyway isn't it. a parent can look at a perfectly exposed and fabulously composed image featuring an outstanding subject and be left cold. but show them a picture of their first-born taking their first steps and the one of the kid will no doubt win everytime

 

[Superewza]

I think a technically perfect picture wouldn't be that good as a photo in itself - it's the flaws and imperfections in them that reflect reality. Ergo a perfect picture would just seem... fake. Like celebrities and women with a ton of make-up.

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

I think a technically perfect picture wouldn't be that good as a photo in itself - it's the flaws and imperfections in them that reflect reality. Ergo a perfect picture would just seem... fake. Like celebrities and women with a ton of make-up.

Interesting observation.

---

It got me thinking about this shot which is pretty much technically perfect I’d suggest ..The grass is near perfect, DoF is just lovely and smooth, clarity and exposure is 100% for the limits of my equipment.

But the Leafs kinda ugly ....

Going on what Superewza said, if the leaf was prettier would that make the shot less real and consequently less near perfection? ... does this imply that in-fact the ugly leaf does more work towards perfection that the pretty leaf would?

 

[Sylar]

Just goes to show - technically perfect but in my opinion incredibly uninteresting subject. You can guarantee that something about every photo ever taken will be wrong in at least one person's eyes!

 

[ttheduck]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder, whos to say whats perfect, you can abide by all the rules and get a lovely photo but rules are there to be broken, if i like a picture i,ve taken then its perfect to me. I think that the only person you need to impress with your photography is yourself.