Comments on: 12 Things to Photograph Before You Die

By: Kresta

Kresta — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:25:39 +0000

2, 9, and 12, and like myers above, though with a twist: your own baby.

By: John

John — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:55:36 +0000

We want to organize our first laws of life international photo contest. So, We need guidelines on how to achieve it and possibly sponsorship/publicity opportunities. Thank you.

By: dWire

dWire — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:17:14 +0000

I love this list as the "bucket list" for those who see the world throuh the lens... I will have to add and subtract only one... being the Earth pic from space...but will add plenty more. Thank you for the inspiration.

-dWire

By: Bim

Bim — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:31:57 +0000

you missed photoing laughter - safari's - carnivals - vietnam - hong kong - xmas lights etc

By: Jim Powell Photography

Jim Powell Photography — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:03:32 +0000

I just stumbled upon this website... it's fantastic! There's a lot of info on here that I don't know... so it's a great find. However, it's always a bit intimidating (at least for me) when i'm confronted by how much I still don't know about both the technical side, and business side of photography. But at least this post gave me a little confidence back. Not just because I've shot a lot of what's on this list, but because this is a list of things you should do for yourself... so you can enjoy it. And I'm reminded that I've been doing a good job of having fun with it.

By: photographer toronto

photographer toronto — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:26:31 +0000

great shots - thanks for posting these. I always loved the image 2 from great depression by Dorothea Lange. The expression on the mothers face says it all.

By: Karen Myers

Karen Myers — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:21:18 +0000

I would add one more item to the list, the birth of new life

By: Andy Miller

Andy Miller — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:35:20 +0000

Nice list. I get days when I cannot think of what to photograph and there are some good pointers both on subject and objective

By: Kevin Downs

Kevin Downs — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:09:37 +0000

What a wonderful idea. While not a photo bucket list, I am about to take on the most challenging item on my personal bucket list... to hike the Appalachian Trail. I would love for you to follow along on my blog. Thanks again for the wonderful idea.

By: Thomas Semesky

Thomas Semesky — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:18:48 +0000

I can't argue over the 12 Things to Photograph Before You Die. It makes sense to me.

By: sanjog

sanjog — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:16:09 +0000

this has become my main aim in life... i would also like to take these kinda pictures... and no 3 is the most... loved the color of the sky

By: Daniii

Daniii — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:41:21 +0000

I Think that things like the Gizeh pyramids have more right to be photographed than NY...
Or things like de Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Ok nice photographs, but, some themes have to be reviewed, and be adapted to all the earth has to offer to us.

But yes, most of your themes are YOUR themes, not from others.
such a damage we can't post any photos in here...

By: My Bug Life

My Bug Life — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:46:26 +0000

Amazing photos!

By: Seattle Photographer

Seattle Photographer — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:46:12 +0000

I still need to see those northern lights.

By: Ryan Dionisio

Ryan Dionisio — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:35:23 +0000

Your list reminds me that there's so much to photograph. Thanks for the inspiration/motivation.

By: Magdalena

Magdalena — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:26:25 +0000

What a great list!!!! i need to get moving..

i have a list of 101 things to do before i die
(http://magdalenaphoto.com/101/101ThingsToDoBeforeIDie.htm)

and now i have to create a 101 things to photograph before i die

By: Seattle Wedding Photographer

Seattle Wedding Photographer — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:45:13 +0000

I agree with Jock Sturges above. It is not about how many different things you shoot, it is about shooting the thing you have to shoot. Mabe all you really need is love.ABeautifulDayPhotography

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:30:09 +0000

Now if I only knew how to get a photographers pass for the space shuttle.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:38:51 +0000

That's a nice list
But is New York the "one" place?
Perhaps it should be the "one" place of your heart .

By: Fort Myers Wedding Photographer

Fort Myers Wedding Photographer — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:59:38 +0000

This is a great list! I have the love and the portrait photography covered... now we need move on to the rest of the list.

By: Gino Soccio

Gino Soccio — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:11:30 +0000

"...unless it has experienced love, poverty and war. Fortunately, of those three, love is the easiest to find."

I would have to strongly disagree with this statement. Surely love is one of the hardest things to find. Whereas war and poverty are staring us in the face daily.

All the more reason to capture it on film, I guess.

By: huntsport

huntsport — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:06:25 +0000

I'd say concentrate upon editing ones imagery to make a difference. I've photographed a sand dune. Its not too memorable.

Take the lessons and use them to photograph something within a mile of your home.

Those will be the images you learn the most from

By: GrimReaper

GrimReaper — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:53:33 +0000

I'd congratulate you for the fantastic list but since you're done, you've evidently died.
Maybe the list should have been a little longer. Sorry, can't die, 2 trillion more photos to go. Check back in a few centuries.

By: Celle Boechout

Celle Boechout — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:06:24 +0000

One more to go..., what is New York?

By: Boris

Boris — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:44:27 +0000

No self respecting photographer should ever dream of snapping any of these cliches.

Nor is the first a perfect portrait. Far from it.
I suggest you look up David Bailey in wikipedia or Terence Donovan.

By: sean

sean — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:19:02 +0000

forget NY, what about Miami Beach

By: Jesi

Jesi — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:05:53 +0000

Great list!!!!! Thanks for the inspiration!

By: Nelson

Nelson — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:22:11 +0000

As an aspiring photographer, this is a something that im going to put onto my list of things to photograph. I just hope that i can capture a photo close to the quality that is portrayed here.

ciao

By: Jock Sturges

Jock Sturges — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:36:13 +0000

A portfolio this diverse is a sure ticket to obscurity. Art in its finest manifestation is all about refinement and focus. the borad specturm of work thatis suggested here as desirable can only be understood as the work of a dilletante who likes photography. Good photography is not about photography in the same way that good painting is not about paint and brushes. It is simply a symptom and manifestation of a passion/obsession far larger than the medium itlself.

The real clue to the truth of this is that none of the images above were made by the same person.

Do not divide your energy. Focus. Be crazy in one place. Your mark will be far more indelible. js

By: david

david — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:35:29 +0000

Ive got a great shot of the earth... sadly I hadnt packed my wide angle lens...so its more of a close up... its about a square foot of my backyard...sort of a macro effect

By: billy

billy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:28:27 +0000

A perfect portrait is properly exposed, here part of the face is washed out.

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:52:14 +0000

Uhhh Icebergs actually turn blue because the oxygen has been squeezed out of them, or no bubbles in it.

By: Wilhelm

Wilhelm — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:59:57 +0000

Here's a place with things to take a photograph of. Some harder, some easier. Some mundane, some hilarious.

http://www.mobtropolis.com/scenes/active

By: Emil Sit

Emil Sit — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:42:51 +0000

Here's another great list, from Don Giannatti:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157602335784471/72157602336622341/

By: Cody Redmon

Cody Redmon — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:09:52 +0000

Well done, your list looks at the 'bigger picture' (no pun) of a photography portfolio. Like ShaolinTiger, I'm at 5/12 also, I'll have to keep pluggin' away.

By: Microstock

Microstock — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:58:45 +0000

Branson's Virgin Galactic will have commercial space travel operating shortly (relatively speaking), so the earth-from-space shot might not be so unattainable! I wonder if they'll go that high.

Great list Dean, as always.

Lee

By: PhotographyVoter.com

PhotographyVoter.com — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:10:02 +0000

The perfect list of things that every photographer should strive to photograph in their lifetime!

By: misanthropy today

misanthropy today — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:56:32 +0000

if that black guy who looks like james earl jones punched me, i'd mop the floor with him

By: The Grouch

The Grouch — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:03:35 +0000

Just what the world needs, more pictures of the northern lights, sand dunes, people kissing and trees. You left out "the perfect sunset" and "the cutest photo of your pet." on your list of "most hackneyed photo ideas." Oh, wrong list? Sorry. Ugh.

By: A.Alaalas

A.Alaalas — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:12:30 +0000

Can't just about anyone do pretty pictures these days? Great commentary, missing here, could help make this more than just a waste of space.

By: John Roberts

John Roberts — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:22:26 +0000

You've inspired me to come up with my own photography "bucket list". Thanks for the interesting article.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:18:17 +0000

Good thing I live in New York. One down... I doubt I'll ever photograph wildebeest though, haha.

By: ShaolinTiger

ShaolinTiger — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:08:59 +0000

I've shot 5/12, still a long way to go

By: Rick Rouse

Rick Rouse — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:35:28 +0000

A very interesting list, and I cannot disagree with a single point - and your example images were simply perfect!

By: Shredder420

Shredder420 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:52:08 +0000

Mostly great, however a photo of the earth from space could be a tricky one!

By: Ed O'Keeffe

Ed O'Keeffe — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:45:01 +0000

1, 7, 8, 9 and 11 - done. I agree with this list, but I feel that maybe a photograph on each of the seven continents would have a good addition to the list, its certainly something on my extra long list to things to photograph before I die.

By: Tammy Cravit

Tammy Cravit — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:51:46 +0000

There's an interesting back-story behind the famous Dorothea Lange photo that's number 2 on your list. You can read more about it at http://www.worldsfamousphotos.com/migrant-mother-1936.html or http://www.migrantgrandson.com/the.htm

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:36:35 +0000

Great list, but I do have to disagree with number 1. What happens after you've taken the "perfect portrait"? What will motivate you to get better? I always look at portraits I take, or any image for that matter, with a very critical eye and try to find something I can do to make it better. Considering something perfect seems to lead to not trying to improve.

And I've only pulled of 2 or 3 on the list. The last one is a hard one to be sure of

By: R. Kneschke

R. Kneschke — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:35:38 +0000

Uh, I have seven to go yet, but still some years to accomplish that. I am looking forward to my sand dune shoot.