Documentary photography vs. Creative photography

[Sherlock77]

I was at a large classic car cruise night this weekend, and had a struggle (of a sort)

Unlike a traditional car show where cars are static, many of the cars are mobile, doing "laps" of the street, there was one guy who spent most of the night set up on the median with his long lens, just photographing the cars as they drove by

I had a few white whales from the evening, car I saw that were always driving when I saw them, like an interesting BMW 2002, which drove me crazy... I don't think I've even photographed one in at least a few years, but does that really matter?

Yet I got to thinking about what I really care about, is it all about checking off a list of what I've spotted and photographed? I know birders do that in a manner of speaking

What I really wanted to photograph, at any car show I attend really, is something that tells a story, even interacting with people and getting their stories with a photo... That means more digging, likely taking less photos, certainly compared to the guy sitting on the median staring at traffic with his long lens

 

[Mary Terry]

I think what you're describing is the essence of photographic art. Merely cataloging different cars is just that - a photo catalogue. What the guy was doing might be turned into an interesting short video but static pictures of cars all taken from the same angle with the same lighting and background reminds me of the old Sears Roebuck catalogue.

Stay the course, Sherlock. You instinctively know what makes good photography.

 

[Sherlock77]

I think what you're describing is the essence of photographic art. Merely cataloging different cars is just that - a photo catalogue. What the guy was doing might be turned into an interesting short video but static pictures of cars all taken from the same angle with the same lighting and background reminds me of the old Sears Roebuck catalogue.

Stay the course, Sherlock. You instinctively know what makes good photography.

I never said I would stop, it just made me think...

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

I do both in underwater photography. On one hand I will take pics to look up what was notable when I am back topside. But then, I always am on the lookout for fish behaviors, like a butterflyfish peering into a barrel sponge looking for some tidbit, or barracuda hunting by shadowing a school of bigeye scad.

 

[Sherlock77]

This is what this other photographer did on the median, hardly even moved a muscle as I did lots of walking... Not to be critical of him, we all have our different approach to the event, I just know I would have gotten bored just sitting there... This is an unedited photo, simply because I don't have time to do it right now... And I did sign the hood of this car, the other photographer didn't, maybe just didn't want to get up from his seating position...

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

What I really wanted to photograph, at any car show I attend really, is something that tells a story, even interacting with people and getting their stories with a photo...

That is great and I think the closer observation requires an engaged mind to find all the little stories in the event. I think that is very experiential.

 

[Judge]

In my own mind what @Sherlock is saying certainly presents some unique challenges. I've photographed any number of cars at local car shows here, but it has always been exclusively along the lines of what @Mary Terry mentioned with regards to "cataloging" them. That for me it was always about the cars and not the people or the event itself. But you're all correct in that there is always "a story" in there somewhere.

This has always been a source of frustration to me in seeking out one of those great photos that has a focal point that produces that "story". While I consider myself to be a very "visual" person, this sort of thing tends to elude me more often than not. It does make me wonder if my autism has anything to do with not seeing such "human details" through a viewfinder that can make a photo so powerful.

I suppose it all comes down to reorienting the focal point to people and damn near forget the cars if possible. Yeah, it would be a challenge. Of course you can always consider other public events with less prominent inanimate objects. Something to consider at least. Where you might have broader creative prospects in comparison.

Makes me ponder whether photographing massive numbers of motorcyclists in our "Street Vibrations" events might yield more interesting results. Too bad "one-percenters" are barred from wearing their colors at this event. But then I'd be reticent to take their photos for the obvious reasons anyways.

Anyways I appreciate such a thread where much deeper considerations of photography abound.

 

[Sherlock77]

In my own mind what @Sherlock is saying certainly presents some unique challenges. I've photographed any number of cars at local car shows here, but it has always been exclusively along the lines of what @Mary Terry mentioned with regards to "cataloging" them. That for me it was always about the cars and not the people or the event itself. But you're all correct in that there is always "a story" in there somewhere.

This has always been a source of frustration to me in seeking out one of those great photos that has a focal point that produces that "story". While I consider myself to be a very "visual" person, this sort of thing tends to elude me more often than not. It does make me wonder if my autism has anything to do with not seeing such "human details" through a viewfinder that can make a photo so powerful.

I suppose it all comes down to reorienting the focal point to people and damn near forget the cars if possible. Yeah, it would be a challenge. Of course you can always consider other public events with less prominent inanimate objects. Something to consider at least. Where you might have broader creative prospects in comparison.

Makes me ponder whether photographing massive numbers of motorcyclists in our "Street Vibrations" events might yield more interesting results. Too bad "one-percenters" are barred from wearing their colors at this event. But then I'd be reticent to take their photos for the obvious reasons anyways.

Anyways I appreciate such a thread where much deeper considerations of photography abound.

Sorry, getting back to this

There are various approaches to photography, I have briefly mentioned here before about my approach to car show photos being different... And it may sound like me being critical of the other photographer I observed, he seemed like a nice guy when I chatted with him

Your question @Judge ? If you even have the inclination to capture that human side of things, it's good to just ask, you might be surprised that some bikers might allow you but obviously be careful... There was one display by Hell's Angels with one VW Beetle, I did take a photo of the Beetle without photographing any of them (being very careful), if you ask people you might be surprised, just try it!

 

[Sherlock77]

That is great and I think the closer observation requires an engaged mind to find all the little stories in the event. I think that is very experiential.

Very much so, and there is no guarantee of seeing that right moment, it takes being in the right place at the right time, then the observation, and being able to pull it off...

How about this one? @Judge

 

[Judge]

Your question @Judge ? If you even have the inclination to capture that human side of things, it's good to just ask, you might be surprised that some bikers might allow you but obviously be careful... There was one display by Hell's Angels with one VW Beetle, I did take a photo of the Beetle without photographing any of them (being very careful), if you ask people you might be surprised, just try it!

Not likely to ever get the opportunity.

Truth is, a few years back district attorneys agreed that anyone wearing a cut with patches during "Street Vibrations" would be escorted either to outside the city limits, or to the state border.

Hell's Angels, Vagos, Mongols....even anyone wearing a "Sons of Anarchy" cut.

 

[Sherlock77]

To continue this thought (if anyone reads this thread again), today...

While browsing photos a friend took at a car show in the next province over (he's on vacation), there were photos of a Ford Cortina Mk 3 and a Crosley (I know just names to most of you, but I've never seen a Cortina Mk 3, and the last time I saw a Crosley was many moons ago when I lived in Ontario)

Meantime, I was at a small car show here today, after the show a friend parked his old Lincoln on the main street where I spotted it as I wandered and got this photo, simple observation, only got the photo effectively because of the show that did happen, if that makes any sense... Maybe some day, in a world of miracles here in hinterland, I'll get my Cortina Mk 3 photo, or Crosley... But in the meantime I did get this far more unique photo that is far more one of a kind, which I do like...