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06/21/2007 09:24:31 AM · #1 |
Have you ever just looked through some of the portfolios on this site and realized that you really suck as an "artist"? I can take a picture and I can make it look pretty, but I look through some portfolios and realize that I don't have an ounce of artistic ability. I worry so much about getting the lighting and everything right that I don't stop to really think how it will look... does that make sense? I've wasted countless opportunities to take great photographs because I didn't look at the scene artistically.
I'm a little depressed and inspired at the same time... I don't know if I can make myself more artistic, but I plan on trying harder to look at a scene from a different point of view from here on out.
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06/21/2007 09:24:54 AM · #2 |
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06/21/2007 09:27:32 AM · #3 |
I know what you mean. It's depressing and inspiring at the same time. :-D
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06/21/2007 09:48:32 AM · #4 |
| That's the next level, but I'm going to get there. |
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06/21/2007 10:14:00 AM · #5 |
It really helps to go to get togethers. You get to see other people in action and can ask questions.
Sometimes you can be standing right next to another person and not see what they see. GTGs give you an opportunity to learn first hand from photographers that have a different eye, a different approach to the craft, even a different outlook on life. |
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06/21/2007 10:26:02 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by dahkota:
It really helps to go to get togethers. You get to see other people in action and can ask questions.
Sometimes you can be standing right next to another person and not see what they see. GTGs give you an opportunity to learn first hand from photographers that have a different eye, a different approach to the craft, even a different outlook on life. |
Which is why i plan to stand next to you with your 100-400 in DC. Im kidding sorta. |
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06/21/2007 10:33:12 AM · #7 |
| You can borrow the 100-400L. As long as you're standing next to me. |
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06/21/2007 10:48:01 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by dahkota:
You can borrow the 100-400L. As long as you're standing next to me. |
Yup lol, Id like to. Question is will it function fully on a 35mm Canon. The only lenses ive tested on it were a 28-90 and a 55-200 USM III.
Id be honored just to touch it will be the last time i see L glass except maybe another gtg. |
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06/21/2007 11:50:20 AM · #9 |
But how would you rate your photography and artistic creativity, now, compared to when you first picked up a camera?
If your images aren't what you want them to be, can you define what you think they lack?
Can you define the steps it will take to get you where you want your images to go?
Can you realistically (as a husband and father) devote the time to follow those steps?
Who are you comparing your creativity against? Professional photographers? Classically trained artists? Or complete amateurs? Are those fair comparisons (apples to apples)?
To me, it's what I call the Gym Mentality. I'm always looking to my right and seeing the physiques (magazines, media, or at the gym) that I'm working so hard to look like. But I rarely look to my left and the see the guys that are working so hard to look like I do. But if I compare where I am today with when I started working out, I have learned so much and am happy with the results...but realize that I still have more work to do.
You have some great images in your portfolio and challenge history. Your portraits are awesome -- actually, I'm one of those people on 'your left', trying to take portraits that are as good as yours. Some day, with a lot of practice and learning, maybe I'll be there...
Don't let comparisons to others get ya down. Just use those comparisons to guide you in the direction that you want to go. There will always be someone better than you...just try to be better than you were. If you do that constantly, over time, you will be amazed by your progression.
If for nothing else, you have some amazing pictures of your beautiful family that you (and they) can cherish for a lifetime.
Just my worthless few cents.
PS...
(I don't know if I was responding to your post...or to my inner frustrations with my own photography) :-)
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06/21/2007 11:56:38 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by toddhead:
I don't know if I can make myself more artistic... |
This is what I wonder about. Where does keep working for it end and have-it-or-don't begin? |
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06/21/2007 12:04:15 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by mattmac:
... Don't let comparisons to others get ya down. Just use those comparisons to guide you in the direction that you want to go. There will always be someone better than you...just try to be better than you were. If you do that constantly, over time, you will be amazed by your progression. ... |
Wonderfully stated! That's now my thought for the day (at least - probably longer). :D |
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06/21/2007 12:10:47 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by mk:
Originally posted by toddhead:
I don't know if I can make myself more artistic... |
This is what I wonder about. Where does keep working for it end and have-it-or-don't begin? |
That is a really difficult question to answer...since 'artistic' is so subjective.
I guess it ends when you let the pressure of 'being artistic' take away the fun and enjoyment of your photography. If you don't enjoy it, and your not getting paid tons of cash (or wampum), why waste your time? Otherwise, keep working for 'it'.
DISCLAIMER: the general 'you' and 'your'. Not anyone specifically. All animals were intentionally harmed by this response.
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06/21/2007 02:44:16 PM · #13 |
I think that some of my stuff is "artistic," but like said previously, it's a very subjective matter. Anyway, the ones I find artsy are the entries that people don't like or don't get. Just keep plugging away. To me most of the artistry is in the editing. But that's just me.
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06/22/2007 01:01:08 AM · #14 |
I'm so with you! I don't think I've even a smidgen of 'artistic' in my being - I don't understand artistic things at all, and the stuff I think I get (and thus, isn't so 'artistic'), I often find I've totally misinterpreted. I'm ex-comp-sci, so I know I'm more logic than creative... and I'm hoping to get into photography school in September so I can learn all that artistic stuff in an environment where I can be properly critiqued in a very personal way, but they're wanting me to know photography to get in (yay art schools!) so I'm sure it'll never happen because I'm positive I need all ribbon material in my portfolio and I'm not even close....!
Short version - hey, look! We aren't alone! And I'm in quality company. If I can be as unartistic as you some day, I'll be a happy cat!
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06/23/2007 12:42:19 PM · #15 |
I'm a very artistic person. Every one of my loads of hobbies is of an artisic nature and I'm quite good at some of them, though I have problems transfering my talent into my photographs. So, I guess I have the artistic side but not the technical side. If things turned out how I wanted them to then I'd be a gazillion times better. Maybe two gazillion.
Consider yourselves lucky. If you're good at taking technically good photographs and have no artistic vision then you can still wind up with some excellent photos. If you're like me then, well, you wind up with alot of great ideas and no good pictures.
Message edited by author 2007-06-23 12:43:50. |
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