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Photography
How much do you learn from other people's pictures?
#LEARN PICTURESPEOPLES
Simon István PRO
3 months ago

I created this topic because I'm curiosus to see how much you learn from the pictures on 1x and the work of others! Since I joined 1x. I've learned a lot and many pictures have inspired me!

Steven T CREW 
3 months ago — Senior critic

Sthepenomis,

 

Thank you for starting the thread.  It's a good topic. 

 

My story:   I had already been photographing for many years before joining 1X.  Having a photographer's ego, I thought I knew it all, but it wasn't until I began writing critiques in the 1X  'Critique Forum', that the real learning began.  

 

Each photograph posted is a lesson.  You study it in detail.  You consider what the photographer wanted to say, and what techniques they used to say it.  And then you think about how that meaning, message, theme, or feeling could be made even stronger.  The best part may be that this process spills over into your own work, and you learn to judge your own photographs with a more critical eye. 

 

I encourage all members to try it for themselves.  The 1X Critique Forum is open to all, and every idea, suggestion, and opinion is welcome.   We learn together.

 

. . . .  Steven T.

Edited: 3 months ago by Steven T
Woad Visage PRO
3 months ago

Hi Sthepenomis and Steven,

 

Sorry, am still in a "too little time" situation but briefly (Two points):

 

(i) The 12thC expression "standing on the shoulders of giants" (famously attributed to a later quotation by Sir Issac Newton) says it all, really. What would the point of learning and education be if we did not actually, err... learn. Any aspect of human endeavour whatsoever (even dramatic departures from the past or the newest of new technology) relies on experience gained over centuries by our forbares. 

 

(ii) Aged  23-24, I scored 16% in an Advanced-Level Economics paper (set as examinations to enable eighteen year olds to gain admittance to universities). Needless to say, that was a complete failure. But I was not alone! The highest score in my group was about 19 or 20%. Was the paper especially hard? No. This is a paper sat by the class of  mature graduate would-be Economics teachers at the start of their post-grad teaching qualification. So I had a BA (Hons) Economics - and five-six years before I had passed an Economics "A" Level paper in order to be admitted to that degree. We had all been operating at a much higher level and forgotten our "A" Level work (this was a snap exam to make a point; none of us expected it nor had worked toward it - nevertheless, given we would be teaching the subject at that level within a year it was bad form). But, luckily within two years of starting to teach the subject, I could score 95+% fairly easily (there was usually at least one pesky question one misunderstood, etc). My point? Teaching is one of the very best ways to learn something. When I critique someone on here, I benefit too - perhaps more than they do if they don't like my observations / suggestions (though that is not my aim).

 

(iii) I am also on poetry.com as a member where we post and critique each other's poems. That is more useful than 1X.Com because far more people take part in cross-critiques. Indeed, for me, the forum to which Steven refers, and in which he is a leading and extremely helpful member, is the best thing about 1X.Com - I wish it were more the norm here.

 

(iv) And, yes, it is not just learning - the inspiration (as you say) is wonderfully invaluable.

 

Thanks. Late. Must fly. Cheerio.

Mark Freitag PRO
3 months ago

Sthepenomis,

 

In addition to what Steven and Woad wrote, I find I'm looking more closely at the photos that are published, imagining the techniques used in taking and editing the image. As I primarily shoot landscapes, I am finding new locations. Finally, there are the different takes/perspectives on locations I know well. Admittedly, you'll see many photographs by different members of the same location, often differing little from each other - and that challenges me to produce something different, recognizable, but unique.

 

Mark

Luc Vangindertael (laGrange) CREW 
3 months ago — Moderator

Just an additional resource here on 1X: the tutorials. You access from the menu on the front page. Especially interesting if you're looking for ideas in post processing.

 
Peter Bushby PRO
18 days ago
Steven T CREW 

Sthepenomis,

 

Thank you for starting the thread.  It's a good topic. 

 

My story:   I had already been photographing for many years before joining 1X.  Having a photographer's ego, I thought I knew it all, but it wasn't until I began writing critiques in the 1X  'Critique Forum', that the real learning began.  

 

Each photograph posted is a lesson.  You study it in detail.  You consider what the photographer wanted to say, and what techniques they used to say it.  And then you think about how that meaning, message, theme, or feeling could be made even stronger.  The best part may be that this process spills over into your own work, and you learn to judge your own photographs with a more critical eye. 

 

I encourage all members to try it for themselves.  The 1X Critique Forum is open to all, and every idea, suggestion, and opinion is welcome.   We learn together.

 

. . . .  Steven T.

So agree with this!

 
Peter Bushby PRO
18 days ago
Woad Visage PRO

Hi Sthepenomis and Steven,

 

Sorry, am still in a "too little time" situation but briefly (Two points):

 

(i) The 12thC expression "standing on the shoulders of giants" (famously attributed to a later quotation by Sir Issac Newton) says it all, really. What would the point of learning and education be if we did not actually, err... learn. Any aspect of human endeavour whatsoever (even dramatic departures from the past or the newest of new technology) relies on experience gained over centuries by our forbares. 

 

(ii) Aged  23-24, I scored 16% in an Advanced-Level Economics paper (set as examinations to enable eighteen year olds to gain admittance to universities). Needless to say, that was a complete failure. But I was not alone! The highest score in my group was about 19 or 20%. Was the paper especially hard? No. This is a paper sat by the class of  mature graduate would-be Economics teachers at the start of their post-grad teaching qualification. So I had a BA (Hons) Economics - and five-six years before I had passed an Economics "A" Level paper in order to be admitted to that degree. We had all been operating at a much higher level and forgotten our "A" Level work (this was a snap exam to make a point; none of us expected it nor had worked toward it - nevertheless, given we would be teaching the subject at that level within a year it was bad form). But, luckily within two years of starting to teach the subject, I could score 95+% fairly easily (there was usually at least one pesky question one misunderstood, etc). My point? Teaching is one of the very best ways to learn something. When I critique someone on here, I benefit too - perhaps more than they do if they don't like my observations / suggestions (though that is not my aim).

 

(iii) I am also on poetry.com as a member where we post and critique each other's poems. That is more useful than 1X.Com because far more people take part in cross-critiques. Indeed, for me, the forum to which Steven refers, and in which he is a leading and extremely helpful member, is the best thing about 1X.Com - I wish it were more the norm here.

 

(iv) And, yes, it is not just learning - the inspiration (as you say) is wonderfully invaluable.

 

Thanks. Late. Must fly. Cheerio.

Great input - thanks for sharing

Sameerah Abbas PRO
18 days ago

Thank you for bringing up this wonderful topic.

The 1x webside has had a significant impact on how I approuch photography .It has made me focus on the smallest details and pay greater attention to the story behind each image. It has broadened my perspective when it comes to choosing titles, and I now strive to find a name that truly reflectsthe essence of the photo.

I"ve also come to vaiue comments and feedback from others, seeing them as opportunities for learning and growth. the visual inspiration I gain from browsing the work of talented artists on the platform constantly  pushes me to develope and refine my artistic vision.

 

Best regards and respect.

Sameerah 

Kenichiro Nakamura PRO
5 days ago

I learnt sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many things from other's work in both published and awarded.

How they compose, how they develop, the idea, the style, how they see the world.

 

This is another great aspect of joining 1x for sure.

Gonçalo Capitão PRO
5 days ago

Absolutely! I truly believe that there's an incredible amount to learn just by observing the work of others — not only in terms of composition, but also in capture techniques, use of light, and post-processing. I'm entirely self-taught, and over the years, I've found that studying photographs — especially those that speak to me emotionally or aesthetically — has been one of the most valuable parts of my learning journey.

Whenever an image resonates with me, I try to understand why: is it the mood, the framing, the light, the subtle editing choices? At the same time, I’ve also learned a lot by reflecting on images that I find less appealing — identifying what doesn’t work for me and why. This constant process of analysis and exploration has shaped the way I see and create my own photographs.

Platforms like 1x are especially inspiring because of the quality and diversity of the work shared here. It’s like a living gallery — one that challenges me, surprises me, and continually pushes me to grow as a photographer.

Best regards,

Gonçalo

Tammy Swarek PRO
5 days ago

Studying the work on 1x has absolutely helped me grow as an artist. It has expanded my vocabulary when it comes to discussing photography and given me the opportunity to study work outside my own genre. Curating and critiquing force you to slow down and really look at an image to consider color, contrast, composition, and intent in a way that casual viewing does not.

Before being part of this platform, I would not have been able to tell the difference between a great photograph of a bug, bird, or wildlife subject and one that fell short. Those are subjects I do not shoot, but by sitting with these images and truly examining them, I have learned to see the difference.

It has also helped my editing skills. When we are emotionally connected to our own images, it can be hard to see what could be improved. Looking closely at other people’s work makes it easier to recognize the same issues in my own.

 

All the best,

Tammy

Edited: 5 days ago by Tammy Swarek