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 08/17/2004 05:12:09 PM · #1
When I first started photography and DPC it was all about learning as much as I could, experimenting with everything, having fun, and trying to take better photographs. The last few months I've felt like I havent been learning as much nor have I been improving that much. I know I still have a lot to learn and know that it will come eventually but the priority of learning isnt as strong as it was when I basically knew nothing. So here I am feeling directionless.

So I'm curious to know what other people's photographic goals are and how they are going about to accomplish them. Or for those who have accomplished them, how they went about doing it.

I dont really mean the 'when I grow up I'm going to be a national geographic photographer' type of fantasy goals but the realistic career type goals.
 08/17/2004 05:19:43 PM · #2
DPC is pretty much as far as my photography goes at the moment, so my goal (after completing my goals of winning ribbons and getting into the top fav photographer list) is now to get consistant 6+ scores. Shortly my goal will change into getting together a really good portfolio of shots for a university application. After expanding beyond DPC I'm sure I will get some more "mature" goals.
08/17/2004 05:31:06 PM · #3
I love photography so much that I want to make my living at it. I would love to have such a portfolio that people would want to talk to me about my work and buy it. Eventually, I will write a book documenting in photos, my lone journey cross-country on a Harley at the age of 80.

Seriously, I want to do portraits. I have an opportunity to photographs people's pets in the next couple of weeks -- Maybe that will be my niche -- allergies and all.

08/17/2004 05:31:19 PM · #4
my dpc goal is to shoot a shot that I would want to hang as an 8x10 right next to my bookcase at work- and then I will shoot a little higher, I'd like to have everyone of my shots be somebody's favorite I guess, that would mean more than winning a challenge....

my life goal is to live in the moment and enjoy things as they happen as well as the memory of them later, rather than trying to speed through things to get to the "post-processing" of life.

Message edited by author 2004-08-17 17:33:34.
 08/17/2004 05:38:46 PM · #5
My current goal is to get a photo essay published in a local small distribution publication. I'm working on building up a few portfolios of images from different seasons and locations within large local parks... Almost done with the photography for one and getting ready to begin the writing.
 08/17/2004 05:43:33 PM · #6
I found DPC while looking for tutorials and discovered that it offered exactly what I had really been looking for, someone to give me a fresh reason to pick up my camera on a regular basis.

Goal 1 = Use my camera often and attempt to make better images. (check)

Now that I'm here I have several goals, but the one that is most important to me now is:

Goal 2 = Learn to create photos with more emotion, not just pretty pictures.

I'll be happier when I'm able to communicate how a subject makes me feel to others through my images on a more consistent basis.
 08/17/2004 05:49:47 PM · #7
Moodville,

I understand your perspective. Were I in your same position, I too would begin to question my purpose as a member of this site. Still, the path to improving oneself is not a journey with a destination. In the manufacturing/business industry, we have a concept called continuous improvement (derived from the Japanese concept of kaizen) that could be applied to photography in this sense. The basic premise of continuous improvement is that, even when goals are regularly achieved in business, one must continue to find new paths to achieving your priorities.

As a photographer, you have already fought half the battle in realizing that you need to establish some photographic goals. I would further refine your realization to become: "I understand that I need goals in order to improve on my skill--one of these goals must be to continually seek out new goals, innovations, and priorities in my creative process."

Once you become comfortable with the fact that achieving a goal does not mean the end of the process, you can move forward to finding ways of expanding your creative horizons. In my world of business, this would involve evaluating other businesses and their processes. This in no way means that I believe those businesses are superior, but merely that their techniques have had some success in their environment and might also have some in mine.

To apply the previous concept to photography, it might be useful for you to actively seek out the work of other photographers who inspire you. Analyze and criticize everything about their works. Taking the business analogy any further would probably be fallacious, since the motives of a process improvement specialist is usually economical. But if you start there, you might be able to take your photographic vision to a new level.
 08/17/2004 06:07:19 PM · #8
Originally posted by bledford:
I understand your perspective. Were I in your same position, I too would begin to question my purpose as a member of this site.


Well I didnt mean it to sound like I've outgrown DPC. What I get out of DPC has changed since I first started but that doesnt mean I dont get something from my time being here. If that was the case I would stop participating.

Originally posted by bledford:
To apply the previous concept to photography, it might be useful for you to actively seek out the work of other photographers who inspire you. Analyze and criticize everything about their works. Taking the business analogy any further would probably be fallacious, since the motives of a process improvement specialist is usually economical. But if you start there, you might be able to take your photographic vision to a new level.


I've looked at and analyzed other people's photography from day one. I'm not at a point where I want to know how someone took a particular shot but how they got into the part of the photography business they did.

My question was more like...

You've got yourself some decent camera equipment and some nice lenses. You've looked at the photography of people who inspire you. You've read books on the basics of photography and understand the general rules and when to break them. You've had some photographs get good reviews from friends, family, and even total strangers. You've sold a few prints to people you dont know. Doing photography for yourself and as a hobby has lost some of the appeal and you think you're ready to expand your horizons. What do you do next?

What are your aims? Your goals? Your desires? How do you plan to go from hobbyist to something more? Do you even want to have more?
 08/17/2004 06:09:51 PM · #9
I don't really have goals.
I do it if I feel like it and if it's enjoyable.
I don't if I don't and it isn't.

I'm hoping to sell some more prints so I can buy some by other artists with the profit but that's more of a hope than a serious goal.

(PS CLICK BELOW TO SEE MY PRINTS!!! ;)
 08/17/2004 06:22:47 PM · #10
Originally posted by moodville:
Well I didnt mean it to sound like I've outgrown DPC. What I get out of DPC has changed since I first started but that doesnt mean I dont get something from my time being here. If that was the case I would stop participating.

I didn't take it like that. I meant to say that, if I had achieved the level of skill you have, I would have to question whether I was coming to DPC to improve or for other reasons. Sounds like you have already gone through that. Your talent requires that your motives evolve.
Originally posted by moodville:

I've looked at and analyzed other people's photography from day one. I'm not at a point where I want to know how someone took a particular shot but how they got into the part of the photography business they did.

My question was more like...
...
What are your aims? Your goals? Your desires? How do you plan to go from hobbyist to something more? Do you even want to have more?

In that case, I'll give you what I hope to achieve. My ultimate and truest photographic desire is to capture the beauty that occurs in our world on a day to day basis. I'm not interested in making a living off of this desire, only in using it to pass the time in an otherwise mundane life. I'm not interested in being a photographer for hire, nor do I seek critical acclaim. I do, however, want to become better at seeing the beauty that other everyday people like me see in photography and art. That is why I am here.

Message edited by author 2004-08-17 18:23:55.
 08/17/2004 06:26:50 PM · #11
Here is the boring answer.

I'm older, have a great career and happy with it. My own photographic goal is to have a solo exhibit of my work and to have fun expanding my knowledge.

Message edited by author 2004-08-17 18:27:09.
 08/17/2004 06:55:48 PM · #12
I believe I have a somewhat loftier goal than most of the folks here. I plan to control the hearts and minds of the world̢۪s population using photography, with the ultimate aim of being declared Emperor of the Known Universe. Once that is achieved, I plan to make a few changes.

As you can probably see, I believe in setting my sights pretty high. However, I also believe in being flexible. It might even be possible to buy me off with a couple blue ribbons. So, would you rather have me as your Emperor, or give me a ribbon or two? The choice is yours.

08/17/2004 07:04:27 PM · #13
Originally posted by micknewton:
I believe I have a somewhat loftier goal than most of the folks here. I plan to control the hearts and minds of the world̢۪s population using photography, with the ultimate aim of being declared Emperor of the Known Universe. Once that is achieved, I plan to make a few changes.


Wow! I've heard that you have to use Nikon glass to apply for any of the Known Universe management positions - might be a hurdle for ya ;)


08/17/2004 07:19:00 PM · #14
Originally posted by cghubbell:
Wow! I've heard that you have to use Nikon glass to apply for any of the Known Universe management positions - might be a hurdle for ya ;)



I believe I mentioned a few changes? That will be one of the first. Upon reaching my goal I plan to immediately do away with inferior camera brands such as this Nikon you speak of.

08/17/2004 07:20:02 PM · #15
I just thought of a new goal for myself:

Grow boobs and win the Nude II challenge with a self portrait.
 08/17/2004 07:31:33 PM · #16
Originally posted by Konador:
I just thought of a new goal for myself:

Grow boobs and win the Nude II challenge with a self portrait.

Ya, but then you would never leave your bedroom. Your friends will wonder where you disappeared to. :)

08/17/2004 07:37:03 PM · #17
my goal is to make pictures that move people and that I can be proud of.
08/17/2004 07:41:52 PM · #18
Originally posted by Konador:
I just thought of a new goal for myself:

Grow boobs and win the Nude II challenge with a self portrait.


Why grow boobs when you can just buy yourself some?

08/17/2004 10:39:55 PM · #19
Someone I work with told me once to always aim for the best, most ambitious things you would like to achieve, and then go for it with an open mind, knowing that you might not achieve it, but work really hard for it nontheless. I want to be a famous photgrapher, I'd like to be a freelancer/staff for National Geographic, Times or some major publication like that. Then I want to be a astronaut and be the first woman to land in Mars. Do you think that's ambitious enough?

June.

PS."If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you really want and all that is left is a compromise"

Message edited by author 2004-08-17 22:45:13.
 08/17/2004 10:54:45 PM · #20
I definately want to make a living from it. I know I have a huge huge way to go. But I am starting slowly. I am entering a photograph of mine in a local school exhibition. It has turned out really good and I am so happy with it. I have the opportunity to sell it there and I hope to do so. Everyone who has seen it says how nice it is and I am either happy for their encouragement or they are just saying it to be nice. :o) I guess I need to start somewhere and I think a local school is a great place to do that. Wish me luck. I think i will need it. :o)
 08/17/2004 10:59:40 PM · #21
Originally posted by moodville:
When I first started photography and DPC it was all about learning as much as I could, experimenting with everything, having fun, and trying to take better photographs. The last few months I've felt like I havent been learning as much nor have I been improving that much. I know I still have a lot to learn and know that it will come eventually but the priority of learning isnt as strong as it was when I basically knew nothing. So here I am feeling directionless.

So I'm curious to know what other people's photographic goals are and how they are going about to accomplish them. Or for those who have accomplished them, how they went about doing it.

I dont really mean the 'when I grow up I'm going to be a national geographic photographer' type of fantasy goals but the realistic career type goals.


****************************************************************

I have two ideas that may help you:

First is to study a port a day. I do.

Second: Make your goal: placing the best you can do into the next challenge.

Everything else will take care of itself.
 08/17/2004 11:06:04 PM · #22
Right now, I have a goal of having 300 publishable photographs by October. I've been spending much time on it, and will be probably finish on time. I've got my Photographer's Market in hand, and am also in the process of creating a portfolio. So I'm decided to try to make some money.

Also, with 300 photos and several (non-DPC) awards and published photos behind me, I can try for one of the larger and better paying stock agencies. We'll see!
 08/18/2004 07:34:16 PM · #23
Hmmm goals??? To become filthy rich from this job I call "pro-photog"?

~A
 08/19/2004 11:55:51 AM · #24
I think getting good at anything takes commitment. In a lot of ways dpc is contrary to that. Yes it encourages you to take pictures each week but with the constantly changing subject there is a tendancy to flit from subject to subject without getting good at anything.

This is great to start with. You learn how to use a camera, you get exposed to lots of new aspects of photography and no doubt have a lot of fun in the process. But there comes a time when you have to commit to 'a subject' or 'a style' to get good at it. One week isn't enough. One month isn't enough. One year might be starting to be long enough time to get mediocre at a style/subject within the broad brush of 'photography' A lifetime is probably a good start for most people.

There are a few areas of photography I'm at least beginning to specialise in, that I am interested in. I've come back to them again and again over a couple of years and now feel I'm starting to get the hang of it and producing some interesting work. In the first week of shooting those subjects I thought I had really interesting results. But with time and with study the really good pictures start to emerge.

So for me, goals are often reasonably long term projects that I try to take on. I'll attempt to define it up front, spec out what I want to achieve. Is it a set of 6 pictures, or one to hang on the wall, or a show in a gallery ? I'll spec out a subject - is it something I'll have to travel for, or something that would take several years to achieve, or just a long weekend. Then I'll probably spend some time researching and understanding the subject. Round about then it might be worth taking a couple of pictures, looking at the results and more than likely throwing them away (metaphorically) and shooting them again.

In otherwords, I think to get better you have to put some more effort in. Find something you want to make some pictures of. Commit to it. Write it down if that helps. Make it happen. Go all the way through from beginning to end. (I usually try to define an 'end' result as well - matted prints on a wall, that kind of thing) I think working through the whole process to making a great final print really is educational. The pain of any small imperfections in an image are magnified over and over, the larger you print it or the harder you try to really get the print right. Not just okay, but right. Re printing, re working, re editing, re shooting.

Or you could be happy with what you shoot on any given week for a challenge theme that you think about for a couple of days then move on. Nothing wrong with that either.
 08/19/2004 12:00:03 PM · #25
Originally posted by moodville:
Doing photography for yourself and as a hobby has lost some of the appeal and you think you're ready to expand your horizons. What do you do next?


Something else I struggled with and still do is the idea of doing Photography as an end in itself. I think the best photographs I've seen are from people who are very interested in a subject and use Photography to express that subject.

They don't take picture for the sake of pictures. They take pictures to show you the world, or the sport they are interested in, or whatever subject motivates them. You have to find the thing(s) you are interested in and take pictures of it. Not take pictures of things because you are interested in taking pictures.
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