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Wow, this guy is so pretentious. Engineers are a creative bunch, and Peter Norvig's post seemed more like an overview of why your images turn out less optimal

by kgen 15y ago

Wow, this guy is so pretentious. Engineers are a creative bunch, and Peter Norvig's post seemed more like an overview of why your images turn out less optimal than they could be. How the composition and what you decide to shoot aren't even touched there and this guy thinks that's all we care about in photography.

watmough 15y ago
Yes, I agree, Peter Norvig gave a fantastic, all-points overview of why most people struggle to get pictures to come out in poor situations, then gave buying recipes for tools that actually work in low lighting. Of course, back in the days of film, very few people would even attempt to take pictures in such poor lighting, unless equipped with high-end lenses and fast film. Norvig even threads the fantastic exemplar of capturing dancers throughout his piece, which acts as a fabulous counterpoint to all the technical detail.
andrewvc 15y ago
Hey, that's me! I think you may have missed my point. Norvig's post, in and of itself is mostly fine--though I'd say the tips on composition in there, which you must have missed were poor--but within the context of the present day, with boatloads of engineers who take up photography to become camera junkies, it's problematic. By the way, if it wasn't clear I'm an engineer as well.
- readymade 15y ago
  The only part of the equation you have any control over is the quality of your own work, and when you see others who value technical expertise over compositional sensitivity, you can choose to take it as an indication of what you intend to do and avoid, rather than something you need to be deeply offended by. The internet is full of amateurs who fetishize their gear, as well as many very talented people, and there's no shortage of material for you to get worked up over, if that's your thing. If you're truly concerned that this is endemic in the tech crowd, and that concern comes from a place of compassion as opposed to judgment, you can always write your own tutorial on photographic composition -- think of how many people you'd be helping! On the other hand, if it makes you feel better to put others down for what you perceive as their artistic shortcomings, and offer nothing in the form of advice, one might get the impression you're trying to compensate for your own insecurity at the expense of others, hence the tepid response here. As an artist you stand to lose nothing on account of the creative decisions of others.

by kgen 15y ago

watmough 15y ago

Yes, I agree, Peter Norvig gave a fantastic, all-points overview of why most people struggle to get pictures to come out in poor situations, then gave buying recipes for tools that actually work in low lighting. Of course, back in the days of film, very few people would even attempt to take pictures in such poor lighting, unless equipped with high-end lenses and fast film. Norvig even threads the fantastic exemplar of capturing dancers throughout his piece, which acts as a fabulous counterpoint to all the technical detail.

andrewvc 15y ago

Hey, that's me! I think you may have missed my point. Norvig's post, in and of itself is mostly fine--though I'd say the tips on composition in there, which you must have missed were poor--but within the context of the present day, with boatloads of engineers who take up photography to become camera junkies, it's problematic. By the way, if it wasn't clear I'm an engineer as well.

readymade 15y ago
The only part of the equation you have any control over is the quality of your own work, and when you see others who value technical expertise over compositional sensitivity, you can choose to take it as an indication of what you intend to do and avoid, rather than something you need to be deeply offended by. The internet is full of amateurs who fetishize their gear, as well as many very talented people, and there's no shortage of material for you to get worked up over, if that's your thing. If you're truly concerned that this is endemic in the tech crowd, and that concern comes from a place of compassion as opposed to judgment, you can always write your own tutorial on photographic composition -- think of how many people you'd be helping! On the other hand, if it makes you feel better to put others down for what you perceive as their artistic shortcomings, and offer nothing in the form of advice, one might get the impression you're trying to compensate for your own insecurity at the expense of others, hence the tepid response here. As an artist you stand to lose nothing on account of the creative decisions of others.