{"id":1032,"date":"2021-09-16T01:01:22","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T01:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adptools.com\/?p=1032"},"modified":"2021-09-16T01:01:24","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T01:01:24","slug":"why-poker-makes-for-good-photography-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adptools.com\/why-poker-makes-for-good-photography-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Poker Makes for Good Photography Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the things that make photography such a fascinating art form is that it\u2019s essentially boundless. To say that \u201cthe world is their canvas\u201d for photographers may sound like a meaningless clich\u00e9, but in this case, there\u2019s some truth in the phrase. At least, in theory, photographers can focus on any subject in the known world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This inevitably leads to some niche subjects commanding a surprising amount of attention. And one example of this is the steady focus on the game of poker that we\u2019ve seen from accomplished photographers over the years. Upon first thought, poker doesn\u2019t seem<\/em> much like a subject that would intrigue people seeking out beautiful or evocative images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One need only conduct brief research on poker photography, however, to find some very talented figures in the field. Fabian Grubler and Drew Amato have some of the best work you can find; Ulvis Alberts is essentially the patriarch of the subject; and Joe Giron, despite being best known for his work with rock bands<\/u><\/a>, is the closest thing we have to an official visual chronicler of the World Series Of Poker. These are not merely men who enjoy poker and take pictures of the game; they\u2019re skilled professional photographers drawing high-quality art from poker tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The surprising amount of activity surrounding this subject begs a simple question: What is it that makes poker a worthwhile and fruitful subject?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 For some of the photographers mentioned above \u2014 and most notably Giron \u2014 poker is essentially event photography, and can be covered somewhat similarly to a sporting event, or even a theater production. This may seem strange to some because today it\u2019s easy to think of poker exclusively as an online game. With so many available ways to play poker with friends<\/u><\/a> online and even compete in real-cash tournaments, the notion of players sitting down at tables is almost beginning to seem old-fashioned. The truth, however, is that there\u2019s still an awful lot of poker played in crowded casinos, at professional events, and even in dingier rooms and private clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 That covers the availability of the subject. But what is it that makes it truly worthwhile for photographers? There are likely several answers to this question, and the most accurate \u2014 unsatisfying as it may be \u2014 is that it simply speaks to them. Good photography is built on true intrigue and passion, which is to say that a photographer who happens to find beauty in poker will set out to capture it. Looking at things in a slightly more technical way though, some factors make poker good practice<\/em> as well, and therefore useful to photographers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n