16 Behaviors of the Serious Photographer

by Warren Krupsaw

This was written by Warren while traveling & photographing in Japan (1973), which will explain some dated references to film and his sexist tone…..just kidding Warren.

1. Has achieved an easy familiarity with his equipment and the light sensitive materials he utilizes. In other words, he’s gotten enough technique under his belt to operate.

Does not get hung up on technique
Simplifies: carries no more than is necessary (not ‘dripping with equipment’)
Knows the limits of his equipment (and himself)
Uses the best gear he can afford

2. Has developed a flexibility of approach to (or treatment of) his subject

Prepared: never travels without camera. “Dresses for the occasion” – ready to lie down in mud if necessary
Ability to improvise
Patience when required

Behaviors of the Serious Photographer

3. Should believe that whatever he sees (excites his eye), he can photograph.

4. Instinctively frames for the strongest possible view; a compositional sense of rightness (Balance)

“Composition is the strongest way of seeing” (Edward Weston)
Power of Selectivity

Includes all that is essential
Excludes all that is non-essential

Behaviors of the Serious Photographer

5. Has an Awareness of Light

Quantitative
Qualitative

6. Realizes that film is cheap

Better to overshoot and edit later.
Bracket exposure when in doubt.

7. Approaches his subject with respect

Behaviors of the Serious Photographer

8. Is his own severest critic

Ruthless in editing; end result that is much stronger
Aware of when repeating self or copying others.
Concern for his work to be of Highest Possible Quality
Remembers that “Artsy” rhymes with “Fartsy.”

9. Takes care not to abuse the Power of Photography.

More than the power to record, it can interpret, convey a message, evoke emotion, inspire, depress, etc.
Understands that photographs can lie like hell

In portraiture: the power of choosing the right (or wrong) instant (or angle, or lighting) etc.
Flatness of camera (monocular) vision vs. human (bi-ocular), three dimensional vision
Time exposure: film records passages of light over time. Biological vision systems do not.

10. Is gracious enough to accept and acknowledge successful ‘Accidents’

Behaviors of the Serious Photographer

11. Understands the difference between “Looking” and “Seeing”

“Many look, but few see.”
In seeing, one perceives (visually comprehends).

12. Strives for Perfection, but hopes never to achieve it

The dullness (non-controversial) nature of perfection.
“You’re only as good as your last photograph.”

Behaviors of the Serious Photographer

13. Has enough self-understanding to know what he’s trying to do with his photography

Understands the connection between his photographs and himself.
Realizes the danger of too close an association with any one: school, system or guru
Knows that at some point, he must go his own way.

14. Has at least some passing familiarity with the history and Big Names in Photography

Enrichment of one’s own experience by discovering the work and writings of past kindred spirits.
No need to replicate unknowingly what’s been done before his time.

Behaviors of the Serious Photographer

15. Should be reconciled to spending a lifetime in the determination of What Makes a Picture

No formula solves the problem.
Same question as “What is Art”?
Pattern picture, for example, must be more than a pattern to be good.

16. Is sufficiently free from dogma to disregard any (or all) of the above which do not apply to his own special situation

More from Warren Krupsaw

Moss is Boss – An Exercise in Observation
Memories of Ansel Adams
16 Fantastic Images of Fungi Fun
Ice is Nice – A Showcase by Warren Krupsaw

Warren Krupsaw, a one-time student (and house guest) of Ansel Adams is a nature photographer concentrating on landscape & detail. After participating in the first year of a new graduate program in Photography at M.I.T. with Minor White, he earned his M.F.A. in Photography under Harry Callahan at the R.I.S.D. in 1968.
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/thekrupgallery
Book: Portraits of Passion and Other Dalliances

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5 Comments

ranmalee said:

Thank you. The article really does bring out a real photographer.

I love the quote Artsy rhymes with fartsy. So very true :)
SeBiArt said:

This was REALLY a good one, near perfect its simplicity. Two that resonated especially at this point in my journey, were # 1 about getting hung up on technique and not showing up “dripping with equipment” and #2 on being a better self critic, to be ‘ruthless in editing’.

Just these two things ALONE showed evidence of major change in my work/practices when I finally let go. IE – the insane focus on technique, the equipment, and the images in post that were trash. :)
Rosângela Monnerat said:

If I could I would be one of you, great photographers. And so on…
Pat Thompson said:

I pledge the oath! Thank you for your insight and time of great thought to a wonderful purpose. You document life well, in all aspects.
Magic said:

I guess girls can’t be photographers then eh? Since “he” is the only one photographing. Cmon now!