01/24/2026
FOOD For Thought - Photographers Style
(a bit long, but if your going to hire a photographer, you might learn something here that you could discuss with them before hiring them)
Before I head off to capture/document an event today, I started seeing a TON of ADs for Photographers (yip that time of year again, happens each quarter). The reason why Ansel Adams becomes so famous for his photos, is he spent time
- researching where and when
- waiting for the right moment
- doing post processing on the image with many techniques
His work was stunning because he was intentional with it.
Today's photographers have pretty much UNLIMITED ability to capture images with some cameras able to Capture 40 images per second. That is just called "SPRAYING and PRAYING" hoping you got "THE SHOT", but also HOURS of searching for the "RIGHT PHOTOS"
To Alleviate that there are many Applications available to Photographers that use AI to find
- duplicate images
- similar images
- eyes closed
- blurred image
- and more
Resulting in 2 maybe 3 shots out of every 10 being worthy of looking at and maybe one of those worth editing.
But then there's the OTHER PART - The Editing, or the Stylistic and Creative side to Finishing the photo. Just like Ansel Adams spent many long hours or even days using different techniques until satisfied with the final result.
Today there are again SHORT CUTS, "Presets" and the ever increasing AI as a partial help to doing a "FULL EDIT".
PRESETs
These are extremely popular, especially with New Photographers who haven't yet figured out what "Their Look" or "Signature brand finishing" should look like. The issue with many Presets, the word 'PRE'. This is a Starting Point, not a FINISHING POINT. Many Presets were designed or built around a particular Camera, it's functions and that photographers shooting style and choice of lenses. This is why Presets don't always WORK when using them.
Most people are more familiar with "FILTERS" when using their Phones Camera... but not all Filters are the same, or yield the intended results.
PRESETs and Filters are often influenced by current trends in photography and therefore are of a lower tier in results and pricing.... you see them being used for "Mini Shoots" most of all, which is why "MINIs" are inexpensive, often shot by someone with less than 2-3 years of photography, no formal training, they are guessing to explore where they want to go and often have a lower quality consumer camera. I am not knocking this, we all had to start somewhere. What I am saying as encouragement is that PRESETS and FILTERS are NOT a FINAL look if you are looking to move beyond a hobbyist or part time photographer. It takes time to study how the camera works, working with clients, learning to POST Process an image for consistency.
WHAT ABOUT POST PROCESSING / EDITING
This is the Finalization of a Photo. Just like Ansel Adams spend hours and days on his techniques to finalize his image, this is the FINISHING Part of the ART of PHOTOGRAPHY.
Again right now there are so many Companies releasing AI Editors, I have 5 of them installed on my computer to keep my learning fresh and updated. Here is the thing with AI Editors... It's NOT YOUR LOOK, It's NOT YOUR BRAND, It's NOT UNIQUE.... It's a Time Saver.... PERIOD.
Many AI Editors have been LEARNING, in the beginning you would need 20,000 images that you personally edited to UPLOAD so that the AI could "Learn your Style". AND that wasn't even accurate... it was passable, barely. The most recent AI editors have been Trained on HIGH END Photographers Styles (some of those are more influencers and marketers now than innovative artists creating new looks). I mean to be fair, EVERY TRICK and TECHNIQUE of Photography and Post Processing has been shared on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
However, UNTIL YOU actually DO IT, you haven't learned it. Again not all cameras, lenses, computers, software and post processing techniques are the same or even equal.
The AI being used in these Editors are for TIME SAVINGS for the Photographer ONLY, the "Creativity Process", the Human touch and judgement is GONE. What the AI does, is based off of what it learned and now interprets to be "the will of the photographer". These things can punch out 3,000 - 4,000 photos in a a few hours. Sure they look good and sometimes, that is all people want. To be captured and have nice photos, but they are not artistic.
A REAL Photographer has
- years of Photography experience
- has invested in many many hours of formal training
- continuously learns
- edits each image as a unique piece
- part of a professional photography community
- may have certifications
- may have won awards for their images
- has a distinct look to their photos
- takes time to create the art of the image
- offers and experience during the photoshoot
- they aren't rushed to capture images
- they often work with their clients before picking up their camera
- they have prequalified your needs and desires as a client
- and educated you as to how to work together for the best results
at the minimum....
As AI starts becoming more prevalent in the cameras, the computers and software, many see a creative boost.... but was it human created or ai created or some hybrid? As a client you may or may not care about any of this, you just want a nice photo....
BUT what is the significance of the photo
- for fun
- for creativity
- to learn
- to document (business event)
- to market / advertise
- brand refresh (stylized shoot, headshot)
- special moments of celebration (wedding, engagement, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Quinceanera, Significant Birthday, Anniversary, ???)
BUT where will the photo live?
- cyberspace (i.e. the cloud)
- social media
- your phone
- or decorate the walls of your home
There is a different Result for Every Approach. Talk with your Photographer, be clear about your Significance, Your Usage and the level of importance.
Because there is HUGE difference in Skill set, Camera equipment and Editing between a Fun Beach photo with friends and a Life Milestone that is framed and hung in your Home to decorate it or your office.
Hopefully this helped you understand a bit more as to why the prices of photography seem to be all over the place and what separates a Hobbiest from a Professional.
I have been taking photos since 1987 on film and then professionally shooting digital since 2018, my experience is vast from Weddings, to Corporate Events, Headshots, but also general events and life milestones.... like a recent image I did for my own family of 4 Generations of Women.
I look forward to answering any questions, please leave them below or DM me. Let's bring social media BACK to Learning from each other again.
(reposted from my personal FB page)
