Capturing The Essence

Quality vs Quantity

This is what my father (a photographer in his time) referred to as the "age old debate", should you aim to be selective and precise with your choice of shot, or should you be prolific with the probability you'll hit the jackpot at some point during the process?

He use to tell me this narrative:

"A professor splits his photography class into two halves. The first half are given the task of taking as many photographs as possible without too much attention to selection and precision. The second half are given the task of only taking 100 shots each, and therefore be selective and precise when composing their shot. The class is to return in 1 week."

"One week later the first half of the class returns with over 2000 shots of varying nature, the second half return with the limited 100. After examining and critiquing the shots as a group they select the top 10. 7 are from the prolific half of the class, 3 are from the second, however the two best shots are also from the second half."

Which are you?

I confess being a perfectionist I have always leaned towards selection and precision, quite often abandoning a shot half-way through because by the time the viewfinder hit's my eye, I've decided it won't be good enough.

However recently questioning this approach (and taking into account my lack of recent activity) I undertook my roll-a-day project to see if prolificacy might be the way to go. Having received the processed films - for me at least - I can positively say NOT!