Golf Course Photography

[Walt Young]

My boss and I have been having a discussion for sometime about golf photography and what makes a good golf photograph.  We are wondering what sells a golf course or golf architectural services better.

We would like to know what someone who is looking to hire a golf course architect looks for in a photo.  These photos would be used  in a brochure, website, proposals, etc.

What would you want to see if you were starting a golf course and looking to hire an architect?

[Mike Nuzzo]

I'd want to see a picture of the construction budget... seriously.

Most traditional nice golf photographs are mostly sky or water.

Welcome to the group.  Who is your boss?

Cheers

[Walt Young]

Your book is in the mail and should be there tomorrow.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Walt.  I like it when the pictures show the undulations in the green  and fairways.

[Lester George]

Richard,

My daughter is turning into quite a good golf photographer in her own right.  It started when I needed presentable photos of my work and has blossomed into her having somewhat of a small following.  If I knew how to post I would send you some.

I always try to get her to focus on the lines, shadows, angles and colors of what I think is important.  She always concentrates on what she thinks people "need" to see rather than what I'm trying to get them to see.  She wins every time.  

I'd love to have a personalized book.  Please sign and send one and I'll send you a check.  (or some photographs in trade)

Lester

[Kirk Gill]

I don't know if I feel like there's a difference between what makes a good golf course photograph in general, and what makes one that would be best for an architectural firm. It seems to me that a golf course provides both a venue for playing the game, as well as an "experience" that is hopefully somewhat unique or special. A great golf course photo should somehow convey the nature of the venue AND the experience to be found there.

Or, simply go see Aidan Bradley's website:

http://www.golfcoursephotography.com/home.asp


He posts in this forum, and has both an excellent eye and the technical ability to pull off his vision. I proudly display a print of one of his photos in my home.

[Richard_Mandell]

Lester:

What does your Daughter think people need to see?  I have noticed that the same photos that we as architects would prefer never are the same ones that the general golfer would choose and consider good golf photography.  I'll be glad to send you a book.  Why don't you e-mail me your address and we'll get one to you (richardmandell@golf-architecture.com)

The thing we are struggling with is do we show a variety of architecture (contours, little details, etc.) or do we go with the big showy pictures.  Many photos one sees in golf books and magazines show very little architecture yet they are the ones that get people to ooh and ahh.

What I want to know is, what do the decision-makers react to regarding photographs?  Do their visual requirements change as they get further into the process?

Mike Nuzzo:  Pictures of numbers only work for accountants.  get real.

Kirk:  Forget for the moment what a great golf course photo should provide and tell me what turns people on the most.

[Aidan Bradley]

"Forget for the moment what a great golf course photo should provide and tell me what turns people on the most."

Richard, what turns people on is sex. In the past I have been accused of creating "golf porn" by an individual on this site. I have to assume he found my images sexy. Obviously what turn the masses on are images that have the wow factor.

However that does not always tell the whole story. I approach my photography by trying to please whoever is paying the bills. If an architect is my client then what is important is "his art" not mine. If you specialize in three tier greens/railroad ties/ or shaggy edged bungers, then that is what I need to illustrate and make attractive.

I recently penned a article on golf course photography in the European Institute of Golf Course Architects Yearbook. It should show up on Cybergolf.com in a few days in the photography section. Hopefully it may answer some of your questions.

Aidan.

[Pat Brockwell]

Light and shadow show the details, angles show the light and shadow.  Right time, right place. Simple isn't equivalent to easy.

[Richard_Mandell]

Aidan:

Thanks for the tip on your article.  I'll be looking for it.  As soon as I hit the send button, I knew someone would go to the bottom with a sex comment, just didn't expect it right out of the gate.  Actually I did.  The golf porn comment was then probably accurate (in a good way).  I'd like to know how that person describes golf porn and maybe he/she is on to something.  "Golf porn" can mean being attractive to the lowest common denominator, but does that sell more than focusing on the details (many of which may be over some people's head)?  I again wonder what gets people's attention first (photography-wise)when they are choosing to hire a designer.

Or try to answer this question:

Can someone honestly say that great design features in a poorly maintained setting will lead to more inquiries/make a brochure, website, show booth, more attractive than a golf hole with a great setting, shadows, sun, sky, but no architectural interest?

[Tom_Doak]

Richard:

I guess I just wonder if anybody ever got a job because of a good photo of their work, as opposed to personal introductions or reviews from people who have played your previous courses.

I don't know that any of my jobs are the result of pictures, even though I was once a decent photographer.  Anybody else out there with a different experience?

[Joe Hancock]

.......even though I was once a decent photographer.

Tom,

Was that "once" when I got to escort you around Landfall Club for a couple days? That was a long time ago and I never saw the end product.......

You were probably a decent photographer more than once.....

Joe

[Richard_Mandell]

Tom:

I hope no one just hires based on photos, but it is the first impression in many cases and it is part of the marketing effort.

[Aidan Bradley]

Richard,

Here is the link to the article on golf course photography I alluded to last week.....  http://www.cybergolf.com/indexgenerator.asp?newsid=5652