Fustrated - DPChallenge Forums

Sony DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical ED High Magnification Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/21/2007 10:40:23 PM · #1

I know how to spell, but thats how I say it so there.

I JUST joined DPC less than a month ago and two things are happening - 1. My photo's are getting much better. and 2. I just don't get some of the voting on here. I usually vote a 10 for the ones I think are the best of the best - usually ony 2 or 3... but they never win - I'm also seeing some trends of photography here that seem to win all the challenges - as far as styles - I wish I could articulate exactly what I mean. I'm definately not a professional in the "I get paid $50k a shoot," But I do make some money on the side. Also - this place seems kind of "clicky." I guess it takes time to get to know people, but I'm impatient. I understand that everything takes time - I've been shooting seriously for 3 months (before that I had my point and shoot that I messed around with)

This past weekend I created my own backdrop and a pvc stand for it. I was all pumped about it, until I realized that I suck at lighting. I have 3 home depot work lights that don't hold a candle to any of my 2 flashes (one poopy slave and a nicer but not nicest sony). Thats another thing - I don't understand strobes - maybe I don't have the patience right now, because I'm trying to cram 10 years of knowledge in my head from time I feel I've lost,not pursuing this dream sooner. Speaking of that - Damn is everything expensive. I almost maxed my credit cards trying to buy basic gear - and I thought the camera body was alot. It feels like every 5 mintues theres something new... its tough for a newb like me to sift through the bullshit to find those tried and true methods and tools. I mean - this IS my dream - to become a pro photographer - maybe not award winning everyone knows my name - but hey I make a decent living doing what I love and my kid's friends think its cool and my wife is proud of me sort of thing(kid on the way and girlfriend as of now, but you get the picture.)

I just wanna know if others feel like this ever - sky high one minute and then you see something and crap - slump.

If you made it to the end of this... here's the good news.

On an upside - I am getting my license back tomorrow (1 year suspended because I .. well... drank and parked --- longer story). I am hopefully getting a full time job after not working for 7 months (laid off from a non-profit - isn't that fun!). Also its spring and the weather is getting better ---- ugh.

Maybe all this is just cabin fever - thanks for reading my rant.

Have a flower!

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/21/2007 10:45:57 PM · #2

Sweet dude! Welcome to DPC! :-P And BTW your shit is good. Keep on keeping on!

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

03/21/2007 10:56:31 PM · #3

Well.. let's see:

First Paragraph: You aren't the first.. or second.. or 50th.. or 3,500th.. person to write a thread like this. DPC is what it is, and a person either goes with it and does well, goes against it and does poorly but doesn't care, or does a little bit of both and just has fun with all aspects. You will, eventually, decide where you fall. Unfortunately, impatience will only lead to disappointment. As for cliques.. they're everywhere. Human nature. Some are better to be a part of than others. Again, you will eventually learn where/how/when/who to go with there as well.

Second Paragraph: Welcome to the wonderful world of Photography. Again, impatience will be the death of you.. especially here. The best equipment won't make you great, the worst equipment won't make you suck. The key is determination, the ability to learn, a good eye, and sticking it out. If you have a dream, follow it.. but give yourself time. Again, you're not the first person to feel this way, or the last.

Third Paragraph: Everyone slumps, and everyone has highs. There will always be plenty of both. Good luck with both of your good news, and just learn to sit back and take this hobby (and eventually career if that's where you go) with a grain of salt, a smattering of fun, a touch of hard work, and a good anti-anxiety drug or two :)

As for DPC, the quicker you learn to let just about everything here sliiidde off you.. the better :)

Sony DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical ED High Magnification Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/21/2007 11:16:55 PM · #4

Artyste, Thanks... its good to hear some "truth be tolds" from the grizzled vets.

I just re-read my post and this endeavor reminds me of two goofy things in my life: bowling and video games... stay with me. I've done both for most of my life.

In October I bought a game of a series that I had played since the start - Burnout - I thought I was pretty good, until I went online, a rude awakening, but now - I'm amongst the best in the game.

Bowling started when I was 7 - I stopped leagues at 13. I was never really good, but never really bad. My chick and I joined a local league and wow - these guys were good - couples league or not. I saw their scores and looked at their balls (lol it up pervs). I needed a good ball - so I bought one. It didn't hook like theirs did. My scores weren't improving. Maybe I needed shoes. Ok - got the shoes - still nothing. Finaly something clicked one day when I was bowling with a friend who is considerably better than me. I kinda mimicked him and bowled my highest game ever - 219. I haven't gotten that high of a score since (3 months) but I know its possible. If I take a little bit from each experience I think I could do this.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

03/21/2007 11:21:52 PM · #5

if ya weren't flippin me off in your profile pic I'd respond better :0P

Don't take it all too seriously and learn what you can when you can. But if you have a goal take a step twords it each day. (your goal isn't to go into serious debt is it?!?) :0)

Sony DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical ED High Magnification Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/22/2007 12:25:33 AM · #6

Originally posted by oOWonderBreadOo:

if ya weren't flippin me off in your profile pic I'd respond better :0P

I guess I am aren't I? lol

777STAN

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/22/2007 12:41:18 AM · #7

Dude! You're cool! Hang in there! You've got alot more to start with than I did! I had to improve greatly just to be in the 4.5 to 5.5 range consistently. I've still got some stretching to do to edit & think like the greats on DPC, but I now have much more confidence that I will get there. :)

Message edited by author 2007-03-22 00:43:12.

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

03/22/2007 10:30:50 AM · #8

Welcome to DPC!

Maybe this will help.

:)

03/22/2007 11:01:20 AM · #9

Originally posted by Lonz:

- this place seems kind of "clicky." I guess it takes time to get to know people, but I'm impatient.

I'm thinking of forming a clique. It wouldn't be the "jocks", "brains", or "nerds" though. It would probably be more like the "rejects", the kids who skip class and wear a lot of black. You could join up, but the initiation involves your head and the buttox of a Sumo wrestler. Interested?

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/22/2007 11:15:52 AM · #10

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

the kids who skip class and wear a lot of black.

Hey, that's me (but I don't care for martial arts)

BTW, welcome, Lonz .

Message edited by author 2007-03-23 04:27:05.

Nald

Nikon D700

03/22/2007 12:19:04 PM · #11

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by Lonz:
- this place seems kind of "clicky." I guess it takes time to get to know people, but I'm impatient.

I'm thinking of forming a clique. It wouldn't be the "jocks", "brains", or "nerds" though. It would probably be more like the "rejects", the kids who skip class and wear a lot of black. You could join up, but the initiation involves your head and the buttox of a Sumo wrestler. Interested?

I'm in.........get it....I'm in. hahaha!

Welcome to the mix

Lonz!! It will get better, just keep shooting and do it for you, screw the rest. You have some rippin nice work in your portfolio my friend!

777STAN

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/22/2007 04:14:49 PM · #12

Maybe this new clique (i.e. Sans Jock Straps) could be a new DPC Team called, "Team Train" (because we're all "in-training" and because of the sound our Team Train makes..."cliquety claque, cliquety claque"...[I know, You get it].) Or maybe we could just be the Joke Scraps RSTY![RimShot...ThankYou!] because we're "strapped" for a name! :}

03/22/2007 04:20:29 PM · #13

Originally posted by 777STAN:

ehrm, based on your line of reasoning, maybe you'd better look into joining the nerds. ;-)

Sony DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical ED High Magnification Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/22/2007 09:13:58 PM · #14

You guys rock! My girfriend had her second ultrasound today... ITS A BOY! Woooo!

This thread helped alot guys ... seriously... you care. (sheds 2 tears) I shot a ton of stuff today - can't wait to go through it. Seriously tho - how DO you start a team on here - I have more reading to do. And ya... I can't wait till I get good just so I can talk some smack --- I'm the guy that don't say shit unless he can back it up.

03/22/2007 10:37:10 PM · #15

Originally posted by Lonz:

Some teams require a first-born as join-up fee. Looks like you've got that covered.

I'm the only one here who talks smack, which is frowned upon by the DPC general population, or 'gen-pop' as I refer to them. Being the site outcast is my bag, man. Don't go there or the Red Ribbon Sumo might crush your head with his buttox of steal.

Sony DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical ED High Magnification Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/23/2007 05:59:58 AM · #16

I'm sure I could get more money selling the kid on the black market - than I can start my own site and call it dpchallenge, but it would probably be a porn site.

777STAN

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/23/2007 02:41:57 PM · #17

I am a First-Born! Now,...who's going to hand me my team to lead? I declare myself the Head Coach of the Pentax Mavericks!!!! Load your steed & "Saddle Up!" It's time to "Ride Herd" on some High Scores & Ribbons!

Any real Men out there? It's High Noon, and I'm callin' you out!

03/23/2007 02:56:52 PM · #18

Originally posted by 777STAN:

I would probably buy a Pentax just so I could go on a cattle drive with you!