How the heck do pro photogs make shots look like this?

In the history of art, we see that the ancients described art as an intellectual virtue of individuals, with objects of art being made according to 'right reason', with a final work of art which is the personal expression of the artist. The artist, accordingly, needed strong theoretical knowledge of his art as well as practical experience. Artists also needed a good background in the liberal arts.

Modernity, on the other hand, tends to rely on technology and systems, which intends to allow uneducated workers the ability to produce good results with little or no knowledge or experience. This is not particularly helpful, for even if you do buy a good camera you still may not get good results, for this theory tends to ignore the human person.

While you can't take a photograph without a camera, in order to reliably and repeatedly take good photographs, you need first and foremost a strong theoretical knowledge of photography and extensive experience in it.

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http://therefractedlight.blogspot.com