Canon’s Experiment Shows How Obsessed Photographers Are Over The Details

November 15, 2015 by Liron Samuels 10 Comments

Most people reading this are probably photographers or work closely to some, so I’m sure you’re all aware of just how obsessed photographers can be when it comes to the fine details.

Canon also knows this but to find out just how obsessed professionals photographers can be, they came up with a cool little experiment.

Three people were brought to analyze a photo and eye-tracking technology followed their eye movements, showing where they focused and for how long.

The participants, however, were not randomly selected. In order to allow a proper comparison Canon invited a non-photographer a photography student and the professional photographer who shot the image. The photographer happens to be Joel Grimes, but for the sake of matter it could be any pro photographer.

Watch the video below to hear their comments about the photo and see what interested each of the viewers.

As you might expect there’s a noticeable different between how much attention each person paid to the print, but the difference was staggering.

The non-photographer focused on ten or so points that drew her attention with a total of 212 eye movements.

Next was the photography student who was obviously a lot more interested in the image. Not only did he make twice as many eye movements, but he also spent quite a while looking at areas where the non-photographer didn’t even glance. That being said, he spent almost no time looking at the two areas where the non-photographer looked at the most.

Finally we see the person who photographed the image, and sure enough he paid the most attention to detail. So much so that he looked over almost every single spot of the print and his eyes bounced around over 5.5 and 2.5 times more than the other two viewers, respectively.

Although this is actually a (brilliant) ad for Canon’s imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 printer, the experiment is makes a very valid point.

Not only do some of us spend way more time than others making sure every little details is perfect, but these efforts aren’t always even noticed by our audience.

If you’re one of these perfectionists, James Victore has an idea called ‘Feck Perfuction’ that you will probably want to hear.

This experiment joins another cool experiment Canon recently shared, where they had six portrait photographers demonstrate the power of perspective by having them all capture the same person using different identities.

About Liron Samuels

Liron Samuels is a wildlife and commercial photographer based in Israel.

When he isn't waking up at 4am to take photos of nature, he stays awake until 4am taking photos of the night skies or time lapses.

You can see more of his work on his website or follow him on Facebook.

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Sam

I see canon are now in the business of viral videos. if they only put the same effort with mirrorless cameras…..
Dan C Lindsay

This again from Canon, doesn’t show a true representation of what we see. For example Jared Polin from Froknowsphoto has a condition which makes his eyes flicker all the time. I forget the name, but obviously that would show very very different results. I have seen a few of these videos recently and they all seem to give misrepresented information. Such a shame
- Crimson Hikari
  
  The actor Pruitt Taylor Vince has the same thing. His eyes are constantly flicking from side to side like in REM sleep.
  
  I will say, I’m probably more obsessed with detail than when I was newer to photography. With every popular or award winning photo being so sharp and flawless these days, it makes you obsess over every ounce of image noise and -oh god, is that tiny detail out of focus? RESHOOT! RESHOOT EVERYTHING!
  
  It might also be a self-esteem thing, but it’s hard for me to feel good about my photos which might be well-focused but technically imperfect when I suddenly see that non-pro who has somehow managed to capture the most perfect of perfect shots with ZERO unwanted details. Makes you obsess over the most tiny imperfections in your own image.
  
  It makes you become a better technical photographer, but it’s definitely affected my care-free attitude towards my images.
Frank Nazario

It is sooo funny that Canon selected Joel Grimes… He is color blind!!!! and by his own admission he is overly zealous about the details of any of his photos Black & White or color LOL!!!
Sorry very cool ad but I still find it funny.
Ann Mehrman

The eye movements that were tracked indicate areas in the image that mirrored the comments that the people were making. They also plot key areas of the photograph compostion and what draws the viewer’s eye into he image.
Brandon Price

I liked the idea of this, but I would have preferred a professional photographer who hadn’t shot the original image. From personal experience, the time I spend processing an image forces me to become obsessed with every little detail, permanently affecting the way I look at it. (I guess that since it was advertising a printer it’s really calling out to the photographer who is producing the work, but still.)

Still very cool, though.
- Tyger Tyger
  
  Good point. Would’ve been more objective were all three seeing it for the first time.
Alex Nemes

It also doesn’t take into context the fact the photographer who shot it already knows where to look, where an unknowing viewer needs to first figure out what they are even looking at.

Also were the sessions timed? Did they all view for the same amount of time?

Another thing to consider… is it a matter of detail, or the fact someone who is not into photography is simply bored of the image after that short period of investment since they have nothing further to gain by looking at the details?

I dont think its a matter of perfection, but rather a matter of the level of appreciation or value a person has on a particular thing they are looking at.

I also think the link to the video on “Feck Perfuction” is certainly presenting some incorrect concepts about how creativity and perfection can not join together.

As the lone comment says, creativity is the exploration process, perfection is the result of continued applications of the explored ideas.
- Mohamed Afiq
  
  It’s called…an advertisement.
  - Alex Nemes
    
    Yes, an advertisement that is attempting to display an “experiment”, and use technology to suggest a result.
    
    Its not unreasonable to have critique.