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12/11/2009 02:08:51 PM · #1 |
I had *no* idea when I got here that this site would turn me into a photographer. I had a 35mm camera for quite a few years, and people had always told me that they liked what I shot, but what it really boiled down to was that I was a guy with a good camera who occasionally lucked into a good shot.
On no level was I a photographer. Period.
So what I've learned here are three things.
1. How to work my camera
2. How to compose an image
3. How to post process the image
Those are the mechanics of being a photographer that, theoretically, I could have learned in any class at the local community college, or have immersed myself into in a variety of specialized institutions.
What I've learned here is how to do those three important things in such a manner as to have it satisfy the desire, and drive, that makes me want to do this in the first place. What that entailed was to learn those three basic aspects of photography, and to apply them so that I am able to produce the kind of images that I want. I am also constantly learning, and seeing, new ways of getting more out of my photography the longer I am here. It's funny, 'cause in a lot of ways the things I learn now are smaller, and more subtle differences than the leaps I made the first year, but I'm so much more able to see the differences now since I have a clue what I'm doing.
This was never more apparent to me than when someone was helping me with some education in editing and he found out that I was shooting in a method that completely floored him. I shoot with auto ISO most of the time and he was flabbergasted. He wondered why I would let the camera make such a crucial choice and take the decision out of my hands......he asked why don't I just put the darn thing on auto if that was the case. I have my camera set how it works for me after much experimentation, and the parameters I have chosen work well for me. Yes, there are many times when I will change settings for specific situations, but I have walkaround settings that enable me to get the shot by just grabbing my camera and shooting. Since I always have it with me, that's crucial.
The funny thing is......the very same people I look to that will pull me up short for making a dumb mistake are the ones that have helped me learn how to make the correct decisions to shoot the way I want to for the results I desire. These fine mentors and friends have done the greatest thing possible for someone who wants to pursue becoming a photographer. They have helped me find the photographer that I am. And I'm delighted with how nicely that has worked out.
This all came about because of the book idea that Andi & Natalya put together. I was reading it last night on line with tears just streaming down my face because of the incredibly intense outpouring of love and hope that so many people put forth without hesitation. I am so honored to have been selected as a contributor, and immensely humbled to be a part of such a wonderful project. Never in my wildest imagination would I have imagined that I would be a part of something so amazing and special.
So I hope that perhaps some more of you will take a moment to echo my thoughts, or perhaps share something that happened here for you that has forever changed your life as a photog as well.
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12/12/2009 10:34:35 AM · #2 |
Dear NikonJeb,
Thank you for sharing this with us. If you are interested, I wrote yesterday a post that somehow echoes yours, even if I cannot say that anything changed my life as a photographer. I still am not a photographer! |
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12/12/2009 12:01:20 PM · #3 |
Price for membership's $100
Price upgrades to equipment - software, $1000'S.
What I learned.................Priceless |
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12/12/2009 04:55:00 PM · #4 |
I have learnt that some people will never be satisfied. But that amongst all the whingers there are some genuinely nice people!
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12/12/2009 05:13:21 PM · #5 |
I have learned.... one always comes back. L()L
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12/12/2009 05:26:16 PM · #6 |
| I think the biggest thing I have learned from this site is to be able to separate myself emotionally from an image that I have shot, and critique it accurately. I feel like one of the best things a growing photographer can do is become a good judge of what a great photograph is... In becoming a better judge, especially of my own work, my scores have increased. This past year, although I have been in school the past four months and not been able to enter many challenges, I got my first 6+, and then beat that. So I really feel like I am progressing, and I owe that to this site |
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12/12/2009 05:43:37 PM · #7 |
The very first tip that I 've learned, from my first attempt here, was the "distracting" thing!
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12/12/2009 07:31:13 PM · #8 |
I now have a hide like a frickin rhino thanks to this site and to all those who (rightfully) beat me down about my early stuff. So I bought a tripod, which took care of lots of blurry and oof stuff. I followed links to learn about stuff ranging from minor PS tips to the rules of composition. I joined Team Suck. Upgraded from a real crappy p&s to a less crappy p&s and then to an intro-level DSLR.
Met someone wonderful (gawd knows I've mentioned him enough on this site, everyone should know who it is) who is also an incredibly good photog, whose catch phrases are 'Bring your tripod!' and 'Check your histogram!' He has taught me how to use things like painting with light, an off-camera flash, the value of long exposure, and recently explained mirror-lockup and how to use it.
Now I am test-driving another DSLR (and another brand, *gasp*) that would likely be on the same level as my next DSLR...when I get it.
Even scarier I got accepted as a member of the Critique Club. Seems like I've actually learned some stuff.
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12/12/2009 08:10:57 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by alans_world:
Price for membership's $100
Price upgrades to equipment - software, $1000'S.
What I learned.................Priceless |
Price of memberships: $75
Upgrades to equipment - software: about $1500
What I learned.................Priceless
The community here is absolutely the BEST. The majority here are more than willing to share. I haven't quit my day job yet, but thanks to DPC, some fellow members of DPC and my family are making money and having fun with photography. My living room is now a studio and my garage is getting ready to be a living room. I finally got my priorities straight. LOL |
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12/12/2009 09:03:09 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Sirashley:
I think the biggest thing I have learned from this site is to be able to separate myself emotionally from an image that I have shot, and critique it accurately. |
Funny you should say that cause' I can't do it. Especially if I shoot people, I can't seperate my emotions. Someone else always have to pick the best picture for me. But I'm getting better at it!
I'm also getting better at composition, and to understand the importance and value of it. For instance, one year ago I would take a picture and crop it to my liking. Today I would've gotten as close as possible and compose it so minimal or none cropping is needed; 720x720 pixels (the old advanded editing rule) are plenty if you know how to work your camera. There's obviously more to composition than that, but to be aware of that simple and obvious thing was a relevation to me. I think the crop tool in whatever editingsoftware is a dangerous tool for beginners.
And the price for the membership each year is nothing compared from what you get out of it. |
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12/12/2009 11:17:30 PM · #11 |
But Jeb, when will you learn to play nice with the members? LOL
Matt |
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12/13/2009 01:36:18 AM · #12 |
first entry:
Latest entry:
I think I'm doing better.....I've also learned to take anything/anyone on the forums personally..... |
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12/13/2009 02:15:08 AM · #13 |
| only thing that i learned (though i understood it before too) or now i appreciate more is that - something that is masterpiece in my eyes could be absolute garbage in other person's eyes. I have scored 4.x with photographs i thought was very good and i had very good scores with inferior photos in my eyes. |
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12/13/2009 04:07:31 AM · #14 |
I've learned membership of this site comes at a price, the update button :)
Other than that hopefully I've learned a lot about photography too. |
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