Philip Shone

Someone once said to me "Does that camera take good photos?" That's an open-ended question as it depends on what the circumstance. A great photograph consists of a good quality camera, composition and a good photographer. A good quality camera is one with 300dpi quality that can produces photographs capable of being printed large and retaining the quality. So many people who take iPhone photos think they look good, and they do on the phone screen but enlarge it to a poster size and the quality will disappear. Composition is very important, even more important is to compose the best image you can for the client with as little as possible need for photoshop at the end. I have heard of photographers just clicking a photo and saying "I'll fix it in photoshop."... That will not produce the best quality photo. Finally, the photographer... to know the technical side of photography is as important as knowing the artistic side. I was trained using film and getting to know the technical aspects of the parameters of what film can do, this is really important knowledge even in the use of digital photography today. Experience is, of course, absolutely a factor in working with clients and understanding their needs and requirements. There is a saying "You get what you pay for" and that is just as true in photography. If the photographer offers to do a job for a low price such as £20-40 there is a problem. Good commercial photographers range in price from £70 per hour and up. Not only is the client paying for the photograph but also the training and knowledge that the photographer has amassed over the years and the professional equipment needed to produce the quality that is required.