In reading a recent article about keeper rates and images, I thought to myself, why do we call it that? I guess it is for lack of a better term. I prefer successes and failures which may sound pretty drastic, but isn’t that what it really is in the truest sense? By definition, a keeper is a photograph that a photographer considers a success and wants to keep, whether for personal enjoyment, potential use in a portfolio, or for sharing with others. 

Personally, for me, I learn more from my failures that I do my successes. It is those failures that have helped increase my successes, so I embrace them for shear learning. So called keepers for me are ones where I have captured the quality, composition and emotional impact I was after, regardless of the subject. Here are some of the factors that I think about when trying to bring back a successful photograph.

• Technical quality – Sharp, good exposure and good use of the light
• Composition – Tried and true rule of thirds, leading lines, color, gesture. Not all of my successes have followed these methods but they are a starting point
• Subject matter – Capturing a compelling subject or scene
• Emotional impact – Does the image tell a story or invoke a strong feeling when viewed

In many cases when I critically look at my images from a trip or travel, the ones the I reject immediately are out of focus, or ones where I missed the moment. Once those are culled, there remainders that I delete are are usually sharp and exposed properly but just missed the mark for telling the story or emotional impact.

As I have evolved my craft, my success rate has dropped lower than it was when I first began photography. Why is that? I know, it is because I look at my work with a more critical eye than in the past. No more spray and pray in the moment. I am much more selective of when I push the shutter and, I take more time to really think through what elements I want in the viewfinder and where to place my subject in relation to have the most flattering background.

It takes time to learn who you are as a photographer, what you like and don’t like, which subjects we want to focus our efforts on and what we can leave for others. Yes it takes time, but why rush? The joy should be in the making of a photograph and not just a photograph for the sake of having one.

As a photographer, take solace in the fact that your failures will help you greatly improve as a photographer. Learn from them and embrace your failures.