More than just pressing a button
There's a common misconception that a photographer's job is simply to press a button. However, the true art of photography involves much more than that. Selecting the best pictures for a post helps one realize which ones are truly the best. This task of choosing the right shots is perhaps the most critical responsibility of a photographer. After all, even a monkey can accidentally take a great shot, but picking a few images that genuinely resonate from hundreds is not simple and is far from random.
The rigorous selection process
I've mentioned before that in an hour-long photoshoot, I can take up to 1000 frames, usually around 700-800. The post-photoshoot phase begins the process of selection: initially, I discard shots that are technically flawed, like out-of-focus or blurred images (where it shouldn't be), unsuccessful angles, unwanted objects in the frame, or awkward facial expressions.
This leaves me with 300-400 shots, from which I will choose the best. At this stage, it's crucial to eliminate duplicates, i.e., shots with the same angle but different details, like the model's facial expression or slightly different focus points. I meticulously review all similar photos side by side (there can be two or more) and try to choose the one where everything aligns perfectly. In one shot, the model might be looking up, in another down, and in the third also down but with a bit more smoke and the light not quite as I need. All three shots are good, but I choose the second one because it ticks the most boxes in terms of criteria.
I go through the entire shoot this way until there are no more than 100 shots left, and then I revisit these after some time to discard those that are good but just don't resonate. You look at them and think, "No, I wouldn't post this on Instagram; I'd choose something else because I want to show only the best in those ten images that can fit into an Instagram post."
The Creative Eye Behind Every Shot
The process of selecting the best photographs from a shoot is an art form in itself, requiring a keen eye for detail, a deep understanding of aesthetics, and a lot of patience. It goes to show that a photographer's job involves much more than just 'clicking a button'; it's about creating, selecting, and presenting a story through images.
