Evolution of Photography

[bluedigger]

[Major Nikon]

1. There's a lot of truth to that

Back in the film days, you quickly learned that every time the shutter cycled, it cost you money. So you planned out your shots much better.

[Hoppy]

2. That tactic was for poor schlubs like me.

I remember, about 1978, Zep concert at Madison Sq. Garden., 2nd row center.

In the pit, was Annie Liebowitz. She had a bandolier of about 30 cannisters of film. She was walking up and down the pit, taking photo after photo... the same way I do with the diggy. Difference was, she could afford it.

[Major Nikon]

3. I'm sure she still planned everything out very well

She would have known or was able to anticipate what the lighting conditions were, selected the appropriate film, selected any supplemental lighting required and configured it correctly, selected the appropriate lens and camera combination for the job, etc.

The difference is the pros do this day in and day out and usually under similar circumstances with similar expectations, so their planning becomes automatic and much faster, along with the choices they make for composition. Many of her shots will never make it farther than the proof sheet, but several of them will be outstanding, and one or two of them may be epic.

[Hoppy]

4. In general, you are correct.

Same with me and my photos at the preserve. I know the scenes, the direction of the Sun, whether I am going for wading or flying birds and so firth.

Then, it becomes the "shit against the wall" process. Same with her at the concert.

At the end of the day, I have an average of two shots that I post. The rest are "delete."

[Major Nikon]

5. As the technology improves even the pros are throwing a lot more shit against the wall

Ansel Adams might have spent hours or even days planning out some of his shots, but he was often shooting in large format and humping his supplies on the backs of mules.

Pros today that shoot moving subjects on location will often take thousands of photos in one sitting, which is a big reason why they buy pro cameras rated for hundreds of thousands of shutter actuations, but lots of experience buys you a lot more luck.

[MichaelSoE]

6. It reminds me of when motor drives came out for 33mm

People could shoot rapidly and hope to get the 1 shot that was a winner. No longer did a sports photographer (for example) have to anticipate the height of the action to get the great shot. Knowledge and experience replaced by technology.