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03/06/2006 11:13:26 PM · #51 |
Originally posted by awpollard:
...I saw the moon with an antenna pointed at it...... |
Now, if you hadn't forced this image into such a massive frame, I swear, I'd picked it as a bloody favourite long ago. |
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03/07/2006 02:53:08 AM · #52 |
.....don't measure yourself in comparison to the photographer/s you admire, that is, don't validate or condemn your photo's because they don't relate to some ideal you have set in your mind of what a photo must be or live up to .......
I have to tell myself this everyday......
Everyone who is serious about photography.....and since we are here at dpc I guess that is a collective "we" .....has a photographer (or two/four) who they love and want to emulate in some regard...their style, their vision, their success.....
NOTE: our images will never live up to those standards in our minds......period........there is too much fault to be found in our work as seen through our eyes ......
So .... be glad that others can take us......you, me.........a little less serioiusly and appreciate photographs we take. Photo's that we might not think live up to our "vision."
Photography, in my mind, is ten percent skill/vision and ninety percent effort. But with increased effort comes increased vision and before you know it......
a couple of my favorite photographers:
//www.jamesnachtwey.com/
//www.laforetvisuals.com/main.php
wow, that was cathartic....I need a nap ... LOL
edit: please forgive the egregious grammatical errors. It's late. :)
Message edited by author 2006-03-07 03:02:02.
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03/07/2006 03:36:23 AM · #53 |
| perhaps your just trying to hard. If your not enjoying it then why do it. Shoot for you and stop shooting for some website. When you learn to shoot what you wanna shot and what you like then apply it to a site like this. |
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03/07/2006 04:12:42 AM · #54 |
my advise to you, STOP TAKING PHOTOS for awhile. Take a break.
See if the interest in photography pulls you back.
When it does, you'll probably see everythign afresh, and may even get inspired by the "old boring city" you lived in.
Actually if you are in the city, try street photography. It's nice and NOT EASY. A good challenge.
Lastly, dont try too hard, it's just a hobby!
Message edited by author 2006-03-07 04:17:29. |
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03/07/2006 04:39:07 AM · #55 |
Lastly, dont try too hard, it's just a hobby!
I think there's a difference between trying to hard and pushing yourself.
Trying too hard on a photo could give you an overproduced or contrived shot (depending on what you shoot, of course) and pushing your own talent could be very healthy and a great learning curve.
There's not much I can add after everybody's valuable comments, cept that you shouldnt give up... really.
Your head is shrouded in self-doubt and also a kind of inferiority belief toward other great photographers on this site.
You know what... forget them. Take your own pictures. If you shoot a tree, then shoot it from every angle you can until you and you alone are satisfied with what you have.
You have sub-consciously lifted the bar too high for yourself.
Bring it down a little... and click away.
There's a world out there just waiting for your take on it.
;o)
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03/07/2006 05:12:08 AM · #56 |
One thing I have found helped me in improving my foto taking was the podcast
"Tips from the Top Floor" //www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com/
Listening to the show, the interviews, the sound seeing tours, etc... has seeped into my head much better than reading a book could. there are photoshop corner shows also, going through everything from Layers, Masks, to Dodge & Burn, etc... A great help to me.
Shane
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03/08/2006 10:11:21 AM · #57 |
Originally posted by kteach:
I just got my camera from Ritz... it comes with classes, which I was told by someone else who took them were very helpful. Apparently they have classes for specific cameras, classes on topics like composition, lighting, etc. They were about an hour long each session and are held in an unused space at the local mall where the store is located. They also had a few classes meet at places like the local nature preserve. I have a little coupon book which gets me into 18 of these classes (or I can bring a friend and they can use one of my tickets). Don't know if other areas offer anything like this or not, but it might be worth checking into? |
I've done the Ritz classes, they were a joke. Broke into two sessions; for what reason I don't know. During the first session there were about 6 of us, new camera buyers. I had to lead the instructor to explain the topics. I.e. When he said 'you can control DOF with Av.' I had to ask him what a small Av would do as apposed to a large Av before he went on to the next topic. After the class people would ask me real questions.
Second session didn't happen due to I was the only person to show up.
I don't know about the more specific classes, but I'd hope they'd be more helpful.
-CN
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03/08/2006 10:16:25 AM · #58 |
Wasn't Ansel Adams that said "12 significant prints in a year, is a great year!"
Don't worry about it. Just have fun. :D
Message edited by author 2006-03-08 10:16:42.
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03/08/2006 10:23:34 AM · #59 |
Community colleges, local school boards offer photography courses at different levels. If there's one in your area I'd check it out. It's a great inexpensive way to learn the basics.
For things like composition, maybe take a course on visual design or even a painting class. |
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03/08/2006 10:25:21 AM · #60 |
Take photos everyday. You are bound to luck into a shot you love. :)
It's all a learning process, really. I am technically-challenged, for example, and have inexpensive equipment, but I try to make up for it by playing around with composition. If you need a quick ego boost in the meantime, try entering some POTD contests. Once a site or two selects your photos, you'll feel a bit better.
DPChallenge is a tough crowd with very experienced photographers, but it's a GREAT place to learn!!! Most of the voting comments are really worthwhile and I have learned a lot from them. |
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03/08/2006 10:28:12 AM · #61 |
For me, macro photography got me hooked into photography. It amazed me when I started taking macros because I would see things in such a different way. I would see many things that we simply pass over and ignore during normal life and activities. It opens a whole new dimension of possibilities. Everywhere you look, anywhere you are, anywhere in the world, there are millions and billions of macro opportunities just waiting to happen. I'd say keep your head up, keep experimenting, and don't try so hard at getting a good photograph, don't be too hard on yourself, just try hard to see beauty in everything.
Good luck,
Stephen |
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03/08/2006 10:32:10 AM · #62 |
Richard,
if there is one piece of advice I would give you it would be enter every challenge you can at DPC. Come back in 100 challenges and show us the ribbons you have won.
Look at any of the photogs who regularly score in the top 20% here and you will see (with one or two notable exceptions) that the skill and quality of images output by them has steadily increased over the years.
Sure the first year will be difficult, maybe you aspire to getting a 5, a 5.5, a 6 or even a 7. Set your targets and tick them off as you achieve them, because achieve them you will if you stick with the programme.
Ask questions, ask for guidance, ask for advice, hell even PM people if need be, but stick around and learn. This is the greatest (almost free) learning facility on the web.
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03/08/2006 10:37:05 AM · #63 |
I'm gonna throw my name in the bowl with others as "I suck."
I haven't got an after for my before and after story, but what I've been doing is trying to find specific types of shots and shoot them. I haven't taken any shots yet.
What has gotten me shooting though was other people.
I have gone shooting with friends (650 pics in a day), and in each challenge, there's usually an underdog.
The underdog is something that really inspires me.
This is a shot that I really like that didn't make the cut because there were some technical details lacking.
I then go ahead and try to find a way to replicate said shot in some way.
Recently I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to learn photoshop on a picture taken on a 5D and a VERY expensive lens. How? Another photog with expensive gear was kind enough to send me an original that I could play with. I learned a ton about different parts of photoshop.
This happened because I worked hard to try to find some ways to replicate some of his more difficult shots that didn't turn out as he had hoped.
I wasn't able to do any better, but there's something to putting yourself in other's shoes and sharing their paths of learning too.
He was thankful for my effort but in reality, I am the one that benefited. Win Win. |
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03/08/2006 10:43:10 AM · #64 |
i was an engineer before i started focusing on photography so i can understand relying on the technical aspect is comfortable.
i think "learning to see creatively" by bryan peterson is a great book. it give you exercises to try and they help me. another thing that works for me is shooting some film on my holga. it is a $15 plastic camera that uses square 120 film. there is nothing to set so it make you think before you shoot. you can also do some funky double exposures.
dont give up just try some new things.
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03/08/2006 10:53:09 AM · #65 |
Here's something to have more fun: Put the camera on either "P" or Auto and shoot from places where you can't see the display or the turnout (or don't look). Don't take any pictures of anything you would ever normally take. If you soot trees from a distance, switch it up and shoot from the ground-up.
Overcome your fears ...
If you don't like people: take portraits and candids.
If you don't like pics of yourself, do those.
At least if you don't end up with decent images you're better off in other ways.
Here's what made me more confident: Use Manual Mode ... always.
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03/08/2006 10:54:47 AM · #66 |
Your expectations play a large part in determining how satisfied you are with your photography. I find that I take increasingly few photographs that I really do like: maybe 1 in a 1000. But 500 of the other 999 are okay, and only 20 or 30 are technically bad. New equipment etc raises expectations, as does seeing some of the inspirational work at DPC and elsewhere (I have been inspired recently to read about famous photographers and see their work, some of which just blows me away!).
As long as you are still getting that 1 in a 1000 (or 5000 or whatever) shot, and as long as the rest of it seems worthwhile as a consequence, you have not got too much to worry about.
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03/08/2006 04:09:39 PM · #67 |
how about this, it will never click. you will never be as good as you want. Eric Clapton said, "I will quit playing once I learn it all"
Every time you figure something out, it will open up a million other things you don't understand.
Bracket like a crazy person. Bracket aperature and shutter speed. Also, 800 photos in a month is not much, shoot 800 in a week. Take your camera everywhere, maybe it sits, or maybe you find the shot of the year.
I always get my best ideas, or see my best opportunities when I don't have my camera, and it pisses me off to no extent.
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03/08/2006 04:14:21 PM · #68 |
| i just checked the original posters profile. the 'love' photo is on the right track. I know its not an original idea, but thats the point. Immitate photos you like. Obviously you can't take credit for the idea, but you will learn techniques. Do the water drop thing, or the flowing water, or a flower of some kind w/ a black background. Copy like mad, it will only make you better technically and eventually it will improve your photographic eye. |
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03/09/2006 02:36:11 PM · #69 |
I just got my 50mm 1.8 and man, that is the most fun lens i have. I, like the other "I suck" people suck. What i've been doing is focusing on portraits right now and fishing through the galleries for ideas of poses. From there i just try to mimic some and play around a bit. You said you mimiced two of your shots, big deal. Your learning thats all that matters. Those other two lenses you have, just put those away and mess with your 50mm.
i did two sessions with my wife and sister-in-law and took about 200 shots with each pose i took about 5 with different settings (shutter, aperature). Out of those 200+ shot i got about 10 or so that were decent and maybe 3 that were maybe worth showing off. Just share your shots with others. and ask questions thats all i do. You can spiral down the never ending rabbit hole of photography with me.
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03/09/2006 05:37:58 PM · #70 |
| hey, don't give up ! everyone has been in your shoes sometime. ( I am there too). I put the dpc site in perspective though. There are many, many expert, talented people here and I joined to learn from them. if you run into some "photographic snobs" just let it go. there are jerks everywhere. Photograph what you see beauty in, what you love & you can't go wrong. Good luck ! |
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03/11/2006 02:35:29 AM · #71 |
I have always taking pictures since I was a preteen. I also dreamed of becoming a photographer..I have tried to take photography classes at the technical school, but for issues 3 different sign up attemps failed..I hardly new anything when I became a memeber here..Even after owning a slr Yashica and Canon rebel 650. (film)
Take it one step at a time there are a lot of recourses here at DPC and out there on the web.
"Try first by getting to know your camera settings, along with the manual...Also read it front to back, inside and out, over and over" Not sure of the exact comment he made but its one that sticks out in my memory that he has mentioned at one time..jmsetzler
I am sure others have to.
Above all do it because you have a passion for it, not because you can purchase the best gear to that promises to give you quality images..
Its very helpful to have study groups, or others that are wanting to share and learn photography. Join or start a local photography meetup in your hometown, it can be fun as well as helpful...
Just dont give up...Even with my crappy scores after I got my canon, I still wont....
Brown ribbons arent bad...they are different with unusual perspectives, that give us the chance to see where we go wrong, or what can actually be improved for the right..
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03/11/2006 03:05:37 AM · #72 |
I kinda feel this way about people that can draw/paint really well. As for photography, I just shoot things I find beautiful. I think if you did that you'd take more photos you're proud of. My problem is I tend to photoshop things too much but even then I'm just trying to carve out what struck me the most in the image so it's not really about creating art for me. Hell, I think I have a long way to go in a lot of the technical aspects, mainly lighting which often dictates where I go in the photoshoping.
Message edited by author 2006-03-11 03:06:42. |
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03/11/2006 03:40:23 AM · #73 |
Originally posted by smca74:
One thing I have found helped me in improving my foto taking was the podcast
"Tips from the Top Floor" //www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com/
Listening to the show, the interviews, the sound seeing tours, etc... has seeped into my head much better than reading a book could. there are photoshop corner shows also, going through everything from Layers, Masks, to Dodge & Burn, etc... A great help to me.
Shane |
Hey thanks for the great link :-) |
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08/29/2006 01:12:14 PM · #74 |
I'm new hear, but came across your post. Never fear! Trying seeing the trees for the forest once. Take pictures of what you think is interesting. Ok, see the butterfly, but don't take the "snapshot" picture...try moving in for the antenna shot! See the beauty in the curve of an iron stair railing on someone's front porch.
I guess what I'm saying (like I'm some expert - HA!!) is take shots of everything you like. That's the beauty of digital. Digital allows you to delete the junk and keep the treasures If you don't have a large card, invest in one and then just go nuts. The more you shoot, the better you can see what you ARE seeing and what you don't seem to like. I invested in a 4GB card and I delete tons of shots, but the more you take the better your odds of getting "the great one".
I miss most of the time, but I enjoy it...and occassionlly get one I like. Don't give up!! |
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08/29/2006 02:11:22 PM · #75 |
| If you want to get this message to the OP you better PM him, because it seems that he's given up. He hasn't posted in the forums since April 26th. |
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