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12/27/2008 12:44:55 AM · #1 |
I've come to a realization today, that made me look back at my years in photography and how I've grown. It was in 2005 when I first picked up a camera and was shooting bugs and leaves in a park. I did this for 6 months before i shot my first human subject. Man those were some attrocious photos, but she loved them. I cringe at the very look of those photos now. For at least a year following that i couldn't pay models to shoot with me. I remember countless no shows and cancellations. I was like a last resort photographer for them.
And DPC...well...lets just say that entering challenges, i was happy to see a photo make it over a 4.5 lol. I used to think that the digital zoom on my point and shoot was the best thing in the world. I could zoom into another city lol. It never occured to me that people wouldn't like the noise.
So I said i came to a realization today. I now have a choice of models to shoot from. I actually have to turn models down. Today I put out a casting and I'm struggling to choose between many gorgeous and experienced models. If a casting comes around, i have models in the wings who would shoot on a whim....So in 2008 i finally realize that models love moy work....on teh same token, i went outside to shot just random scenary and completely fouled up about two hundred would be gorgeous shots, and will be lucky to have a photograph for the Free Study haha....oh and those DPC scores...well they haven't really improved all that much...so it's good to see that as much as i've grown, i still have a lot of that old photographer who has a lot learning to do and thats going to keep me hungry to learn it 2009.
Message edited by author 2008-12-27 00:46:39. |
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12/27/2008 01:02:33 AM · #2 |
An interesting read. Thank you for sharing that. It does help confirm something that I had felt myself, and that is even though my challenge average has not improved (partially due to love of gag entries), the level of my photography in general has improved. I find I am now seeing the light as much as I see the subject.
Interestingly, I just related this to my wife, and she does not understand what I get out of this site. If you go by the ending challenge scores, I am being told my photography sucks, so it makes no sense to her. There's a lot more under the hood here, but not being an active participant, all she sees is my good photography getting beat up in challenges. |
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12/27/2008 01:02:46 AM · #3 |
| egads what an appropriete post:) its amazing how much we all grow and change through the years, its just great |
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12/27/2008 01:10:59 AM · #4 |
| Charming and candid. I have still to look forward to outgrowing my digicam zoom and its noise. I'm trying, but I still think 12X is the cat's ass, although dpc has taught me to see the noise and to realize I have only begun to think about DOF. |
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12/27/2008 03:34:23 AM · #5 |
Thanks for the inward reflection. I couldn't agree more... I go back and look at some of the images that I took prior to joining this place, and I can't help but be my own worst critic. I learned so much from the challenges, especially the technical ones. Now I find myself far too busy to do much except Free Studies - something that I vow to change in the new year.
Still so much to learn... but that's the beauty of it. :O) |
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12/27/2008 09:20:50 AM · #6 |
I think part of the beauty of this site and what aids in the growth and progression is the community itself.
We laugh, cry, bitch, struggle, & flourish together as we try to find and develop the photographer within us.
To not be alone as we go down that path; to know that we are not alone in our frustrations and triumphs is a wondrous, comforting thing.
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12/27/2008 02:59:40 PM · #7 |
This site has been major in helping my growth. It wasn't until the DPL that i even discovered the clone tool or how to feather my selections...tools that i use on every photo now. Whether i participate some months or not, DPC has been big in my learning curve.
I can lie and say i don't care about challenge scores anymore, but i'd be lying. Although at least now days after the challenge i can either look at my photo and say "well that didn't really meet the challenge" "The photo wasn't really that great" or just realize that alot of people at DPC are afraid of photos that breaks the rules, no matter how good the photo is...and i know that i haven't produced any actual winners yet anyways.
My next role this week is to post my photography goals and my DPC goals....now that I improved so much they have to be separated. Somehow i don't think getting a personal best on DPC fits on the same level as making a certain amount of money lol. |
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