The Myth of Talent

[Marko]

Course I do.
But I also believe that people that might not be naturally talented can become talented through hard work and practice.
These people imo, represent the vast majority of people on our planet; certainly many of them have risen to the top of their games (or not - because whose to say that that is even truly important) through hard work and practice alone.
Surely talent can be honed through practice, no?

[Wicked Dark]

nah, that's not talent. that's changing the meaning of the word as someone else already said. talent is innate by its very definition.

[Marko]

So we agree to disagree then; it's just one of those things - sall good

[Wicked Dark]

I suppose, but the perverting of language really bugs me. Proficiency is the word that people want, but it's not good enough and so they diminish talent so it's basically meaningless. It's like hero. No one knows what it means anymore and therefore is meaningless.

[AcadieLibre]

-1 LOL. I disagree big time.

I'm in the Jas camp on this one - If you can't spot a good photograph to begin with, practice and soon you'll be able to.

I am in the Wicked camp on this one. Marko on this one sorry to say I think you are off the mark. It is OK I still like ya even if you are wrong lmaoooooo ........

[Iguanasan]

Well, everyone else has an opinion so I'll add in my as well! It all goes back to nature/nurture and while I wholeheartedly agree that nature can give someone a head start and keep them there, nurture can also breathe life into someone to make them very good at something and while they may get better than many other people I ultimately do not believe it can ever really equal raw talent that's been nurtured in the same way. Basically, on even ground, someone with talent will always come out in front.

[Gremlich]

I love this forum - one can even get philosophy.

[Marko]

I never mind when people disagree w/me ...
Trust me I know the difference between Da Vinci and everyone else....but everyone else can still learn to be great....Yes Da Vinci pulls out the magic sleeper hold and normally crushes his opponents in wrestling, but the other wrestlers still get their chance to fight Da Vinci if they practice hard enough....and whose to say who will win on any given Sunday.
Even the Masters produce less than great work once in a while.

[Mad Aussie]

I also am in the Wicked Dark camp on this one as far as the general statement is concerned.
I've seen a lot of people take up photography and some learn very quickly and show a good understanding right off. Without any teaching they show good composition etc.

However, that 'talent' for photography certainly then needs loads of education and, as JAS put it, practice, practice, practice.

Another however, however, is that I do believe someone who does not show initial 'talent' can become as good as most with time, education and the 3 practices.
So I believe a natural ability/talent is real and helpful but not a prerequisite to being a good photographer.

[Wicked Dark]

Nope it isn't MA, but it is a requirement to be a great one.