Great Photos Start With Ideas—Not Gear or Settings

We often think that the high-end camera or the ideal lens creates that magic. Like I do, you might find yourself zooming in, checking for sharpness. It seems to be a natural instinct for us photographers. But the real secret isn’t about the equipment at all? What if being too focused on technical details means missing what makes a photo great?

In an interesting video, Alex Kilbee of The Photographic Eye challenges this belief. He argues that ideas make great photos, not just cameras. Alex points out that even a technically perfect photo can feel empty if it doesn’t have a strong concept behind it. This hit home for me. How many times have I aimed for the perfect shot only to end up with an image that feels… average?

It All Starts With a Feeling: The Spark of an Idea

Alex explains that many of his photos start with that instinctive feeling when something just feels right. It might be as easy as noticing an intriguing scene and wondering, “How would that look in a photo?” He believes this emotional spark is what truly creates a powerful image.

He mentions that his black and white city photography comes from a strong sense of loneliness, even amid busy crowds. This feeling inspired him to take pictures of transport places like train stations and airports, often when they’re empty. He’s capturing moments that many daily commuters overlook. It really makes you stop and view the everyday world in a fresh way.

Beyond the Gear: What Makes a Photo Truly Sparkle?

I’ve noticed this too when I look at the work of other photographers. It’s not just about their skills. There’s always a special quality or theme that comes from a clear idea. Alex mentions that spotting these “flash moments” can be hard, especially for beginners.

He also shares how looking at the work of greats like Bill Brandt, known for his deep blacks and intriguing negative spaces, or Duane Michals, whose photos often feel “empty,” helps him express his ideas through his own images. For me, seeing how other artists view the world usually inspires me to think differently about my own subjects.

Photography as a Culinary Art: It’s All About the Ingredients

I heard a comparison that really made an impression on me. Alex compared photography to cooking, referencing famous chef Massimo Bottura, who is known for saying, “Cooking is not just about the quality of ingredients but also about the quality of the ideas.”

Your camera, lenses, and lights are like your ingredients. You might have the best and most expensive items, like truffles or high-quality duck. But if a chef doesn’t know how to use them, the final dish might turn out bland. In my own experience with photography, I’ve learned that my growth didn’t come from getting more equipment, but from developing a better collection of ideas and figuring out how ideas make great photos. To me, it’s really about making the most of what you have and the creative vision you apply to it.

Broadening Your Horizons: The Power of Cultural Influences

Our culture influences our worldview and, in turn, how we take photos. Alex encourages us to explore the works of photographers from various cultures, highlighting Japanese artists like Daido Moriyama and Hiroshi Sugimoto. Because of these cultural variations, their unique perspectives can feel strikingly different. We can significantly broaden our creative ideas by stepping outside our usual experiences — like thinking about how a tree might look in another country.

He explains that this exploration of different cultures allows us to mix our photography tools — such as lenses, f-stops, and composition — in new and surprising ways, making our images more interesting and engaging.

Embracing the Unexpected: The Magic of Random Chance

Here’s where things get really fascinating: the often-ignored aspect of luck. Alex believes we sometimes overlook happy accidents in our quest for perfect photos. He shares a story (though he admits he doesn’t remember all the details) about a Dadaist artist whose sculpture was only deemed “complete” after it accidentally broke.

As photographers, we can manage many technical aspects, but Alex finds the most joy in the surprises when you click the shutter. He points out that this element of chance felt even stronger with film photography, where you didn’t immediately see the results. Alex thinks our current habit of fixing every little mistake before sharing a photo may be making us lose that special magic that makes photography so thrilling.

He explains that much of his black and white photography isn’t planned out in detail. It usually starts with a basic idea, but he likes to experiment and try new things. For instance, he recently began taking photos directly into the sun because he wanted to break a “rule.” Even though he has a general sense of how his pictures will turn out after editing, the final result still surprises him. He enjoys how his actions and the images interact, especially with the quick results from phone photography and apps like Snapseed. He also mentions that this approach of “seeing what happens” may be inspired by photographers like Chris McCaw, known for long exposures that actually burn holes in film.

The Recipe for a Great Photo: Spark, Culture, and a Dash of Pixie Dust

So, how can you bring everything together? Alex shares a simple formula for capturing amazing photos.

1. Begin with an emotional spark: This is that instinctive feeling you get when something truly catches your attention.
2. Add a cultural element: This could come from your own experiences or by incorporating perspectives from different cultures, creating something surprising yet captivating. He highlights Saul Leiter’s inspiration from Japanese woodblocks as a perfect example of this approach leading to fantastic results.
3. Mix them to create a narrative: The combination of the emotional spark and the cultural element should result in a photo that tells a story and stirs feelings in the viewer.
4. Include a touch of randomness: He notes that while randomness doesn’t always improve a photo, it brings excitement, a sense of magic, and that special touch he feels he can’t always achieve through skill alone.

He modestly acknowledges that he doesn’t see himself as an “artist,” and he genuinely values the randomness and what he describes as “divine inspiration” that sometimes appears in his work. He points out how Man Ray and Lee Miller stumbled upon solarization and rayographs in the darkroom, showcasing how unexpected ideas make great photos.

The next time you grab your camera, keep in mind that your best asset isn’t the camera with the highest megapixels. It’s your mind, full of thoughts, emotions, and an openness to the wonderful surprises that come your way. If you feel like your ideas are getting old, take a look at the work of inspiring photographers like Saul Leiter. You could discover what you need to refresh your creativity.

[Great Photos Aren’t Made With Cameras, They’re Made With.. | The Photographic Eye]

---