Photos with WOW Factor

[mkooper]

When I started off I used Gimp quite a bit for post processing. It's free and it does most of the stuff that the expensive tools do and it does them well.

So if you're learning I propose that you look at this as a good tool to add WOW factor to your early photos.

[ving]

one persons WOW! is another persons Zzz...

[amandathorson]

having a good eye is the most important thing...without that you can have the most expensive equipment in the world and it won't help i would say work with what you've got and once you are feeling limited by your equipment then upgrade. i've seen heaps of people get 'wow' shots with compacts!

[Darvidanoar]

I like a good (photography related) book to read on the bus to work for inspiration and knowledge. I especially like books that offer lots of example photos with a description of what the phototgrapher was trying to acheive, how they did it and why they chose that method or those settings. Then I think of similar settings/scenes in my area and try to emulate what they did so that I can understand the process.

While I have recently upgraded to a 7D, I started with a 400D and some non-expensive lenses (which I still use). Even with the 400D, I was happy with what I was acheiving.

Get to know your gear, get inspired and practice, practice, practice

[atky]

My only comment would be look at everything as if it were a photograph.
I think the best photographers always see things as photographs I Know a few of the people I shoot with see things that way I try but hay I'm not there yet.
I know what you mean by the wow shot, I think out of all the shots I've shot theres only about 10 I would call wow but I guarantee you other photographers would find most of them ordinary.

[ameerat42]

Well, I'm glad just about everybody else knows what "wow factor" means.

[Kym]

Well, I'm glad just about everybody else knows what "wow factor" means.

a.k.a. X factor; it's got it! ; Look at that! ; I wish I'd done that!

[rcp8]

For the moment your gear will do fine.. Learn how to use it intimately and know its limitations..

For me, images with wow factor come from being in the right place at the right time,, having that photo-op..

Yes, I agree whole-heartedly.. get to know your gear intimately first, then you can add to it/update it later.