What is a Great Photograph?


You may ask why should we even try to answer this subjective question? Yet, we Photographers often ask this question of ourselves as we relate it to our own efforts. We show our images to friends, and await their sage, and correct, conclusion that our image is, in fact, a great photograph.

It is my opinion that we, need to first look back in our photographic history, to many photographers, and attempt to define a set of criteria for ourselves. While looking at those “great images” made by the “great photographers”, there seems to be a consistency of certain elements of those images that have made a lasting impression.

So, now I will venture into the quicksand of subjective opinion and share with you what, for me, makes a great photograph.

First, without question the number one consideration is IMPACT. I further define this as stopping or staying power. The image must have the ability to draw out an emotional response like: Wow; Holy Mole; Man, I wish I had taken that picture; How unique?; Never thought of looking at that subject this way; Now, that is a photograph!; What a great eye!; and my favorite….SILENCE followed by a deep sigh and the words “nice image!”

Next, is DISCOVERY. This is not a common term but an interesting concept. One is when you see that the person is thinking and re-looking at the image. It also happens when looking at your own image and, re-looking at it, and discovering more in the image as time goes on. I have a favorite image of mine on my wall at home that I have looked at for over 20 years and still do not tire of looking at it. In fact I still “discover” more in it and it continually creates a significant emotional impact like the first time I saw the finished image.

The other is the discovery of something that not seen before. “I walked down that same street many times and never saw that image”.
EMOTION is the very obvious requirement that everyone talks about. We may remember Eddie Adams’ picture of the South Vietnamese officer executing a North Vietnamese spy. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography. Technically not perfect, but filled with emotion. Emotion does not have to be positive, but present. In fact, it would be good for us to take a look at some of those images that have won the Pulitzer Prize, as well as some of those books published as the “Best of Life’s Images” that are published every year. Check out the book called Moments. Even the National Geographic books are very interesting and valuable to review for “great images”.

What is lacking in the many images I currently see is emotion, any emotion. I see many pretty shots of flowers, landscapes, birds in nests, shots filled with Velvia or Photoshop enhanced color, technically manipulated images, in the effort to make something out of nothing….all interesting but devoid of emotion and impact. Even in my own images that have scored high in contests or been selected as “Print of the Month” in camera clubs, there lacks real emotion or stopping power.

It is good that I am stubborn, persistent and tenacious as I just keep shooting (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, last weekend) and keep hoping for that one shot that captures the emotional impact that I am constantly seeking.

LASTING POWER is another term that may not be a common one, but, as I related to above, is very important for me, and is shown by the constant referral to those “classic” images by Edward Weston (The Bell Pepper), Robert Capa (The Spanish Civil War Image), Yosef Karsh (Winston Churchill), Dorothea Lange (The Migrant Mother), Eugene Smith (Mercury Poisoning – Mother Bathing Her Son), Henri Cartier-Bresson (Behind the Gare), Alfred Eisenstaedt (VJ Day Kissing Image), Steve McCurry (Jodhpur - not his Afgan young girl), Sebastiao Salgado (Oilwells, at rest, Kuwait), Neil Leifer (Muhammed Ali vs. Sonny Liston) and, my favorite image, which is by Edward Steichen (Auguste Rodin – subject and the two statues).

What do these mean to us? First, realize that many of these images were made long before any one of us were even born and we are STILL looking at, and talking about, them!

I will share with you a little secret. I am constantly looking at images. The local Arlington Heights Library at least once a week; I review a lot of paintings, and art, as well as photographs. I do not read many of them, but do review the images. I visit the local Barnes and Noble and look at all the Art and Photography books. I look through as many magazines that I can get a hold of and love Lenswork as the best magazine available today. The best author, in my opinion, today is Freeman Patterson. In fact, he has five books that are not only filled with great images, but he has a great way to present the materials so that one can use his tools to improve.

I am positive that many of you have many other elements or criteria for judging what is a great photograph and each of you is correct, for you. I have just shared what is important for me in the same process.
Finally, the acid test….like it or not!

The TEST…..has anyone offered to purchase a copy, or asked you for a copy?
If the answer is yes, maybe you also, are on the way to fame, glory and greatness.

Trevor