No seriously - we are all pretty awesome...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/23/2009 12:35:31 PM · #1

...and I just think we take it for granted.

Recently I have been getting down about some of my wedding stuff - its all very nice etc, but not really kicking it - or so I thought. But recently I have been invited to become friends with some of my clients on Facebook, and as a result (and due to Facebooks` new privacy options) I get to see their friends photos that they took at weddings where I was the pro - its only then you realise just how much better `our` work is. Going back to the photos I took at the same wedding is now a joy! So I posted some shots on their wall (or whatever its called, I don`t do much facebooking) and the guests etc are going nuts, they love them - with a few comments of "Wow, you must have an amazing camera" which I have let pass for customer relations purposes.
It got me thinking though - just why I had a `low five minutes` regarding the quality of my work? - then I realised that its because here on DPChallenge, we are spoilt for high quality photography, so much so that it has become the norm, and if we see exceptionally good shots elsewhere they dont have the same impact. But to Joe public - our work in here at DPC its pretty fricking awesome.

So, a kind of upbeat forum posting from me... it must be Christmas, normal service will resume in the New Year.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

12/23/2009 12:38:37 PM · #2

I think I just had a minor heart attack.... but I should be fine here momentarily...

:-)

(Note to the unsuspecting public - Simms really is a decent fellow when you meet him.)

AJSullivan

12/23/2009 12:39:29 PM · #3

I've been told this by my mother, that im too hyper critical of my own work, and that I hold my stuff to a higher standard than a client/potential client ever will. I assume thats something that most photographers have to deal with at some point, she is way over it haha.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

12/23/2009 12:42:54 PM · #4

I always believed that if a 5 was an average shot then the average DPC'er was above average given that the site average is 5.5

My wife always thinks that I am too picky about my images but I don't concur. I think the people on this site strive to hold themselves to a higher standard. Ok isn't good enough and for a lot of the "elite" good isn't even good enough. :)

gwe21

Nikon D300

12/23/2009 12:54:38 PM · #5

I think photography is the ONE and ONLY area in my life where I am extremely picky.

I know that I take decent shots and I know the parents LOVE certain shots, but if I dont think they are perfect or more than just decent I wont post them for preview for the parents, because I only want my very best work.

Now my FB photos are mostly taken with my Iphone, so they are all crappy!! LOL

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

12/23/2009 12:56:04 PM · #6

I got a kick out of this thread. I've had the same experiences... and it is funny to see what horrible shots other people share (and apparently think are "decent"). Horrible red eye and nasty grain seem to be a common theme. And of course, if you're taking a shot of people be sure that their heads are in the exact center of the shot so you have plenty of head room.

I have had people ask me if they mind if they take a few shots beside me while I'm shooting various things at weddings, and I always happily oblige. Not to sound egotistical, but I can be pretty confident that even if they're standing right beside me shooting the same subject, by comparison, my shots will make the couple understand why it's best to hire a pro :)

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

12/23/2009 12:57:08 PM · #7

Originally posted by gwe21:

Now my FB photos are mostly taken with my Iphone, so they are all crappy!! LOL

I upload a good number of cell phone shots to Facebook, too... but even with those, I'll bet you know the rule of thirds and compose things well.

gwe21

Nikon D300

12/23/2009 01:02:19 PM · #8

Originally posted by alanfreed:

Originally posted by gwe21:
Now my FB photos are mostly taken with my Iphone, so they are all crappy!! LOL

I upload a good number of cell phone shots to Facebook, too... but even with those, I'll bet you know the rule of thirds and compose things well.

hahaha! sometimes I am chasing a screaming kid!!! yes, I did compose my 3 year olds broken nose photo well. Did you see that one?!

12/23/2009 01:08:39 PM · #9

Originally posted by Simms:

Go ahead and continue to beat yourself up about your wedding stuff.....you suck!....8>)

seriously, the upside is that the standards of the general public are abysmal, but that's no reason why you shouldn't be as discriminating as possible as far as maintaining your own standards. It should just make you feel more comfortable about charging more money ESPECIALLY if you know you can deliver the finished product in a timely and professional manner. Wedding photography is a serious specialty, and there really is no middle of the road......either you're good, and can produce, or not.

We hear, and see, the horror stories all the time.

As far as the rest of us go, yeah, we get so much better than the average GWC simply because the competition is so fierce and the immersion so intense that you can't help but get better. The learning curve is awesome! I get so much, so often, and quicker than I get it anywhere else.

Where it's most apparent to me is at my local camera club meetings. The knowledge I've acquired by being here wows 'em on a regular basis, and let's face it, I'm no DPC all-star!

It's a pretty amazing place!

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

12/23/2009 01:17:28 PM · #10

Originally posted by gwe21:

hahaha! sometimes I am chasing a screaming kid!!! yes, I did compose my 3 year olds broken nose photo well. Did you see that one?!

Yes, I did! Nicely composed, all things considered :)

Phil

Canon EOS-7D

12/23/2009 01:38:34 PM · #11

Fully agree. Facebook has really opened my eyes as to what most people consider good or at least worthy of paying for.

I live in a small town and never thought that photography would ever be a means to pay the bills - especially comparing myself with the quality on DPC. After seeing (on Facebook) what the locals are buying daily all of that changed. I did pretty much the same as you: saw others work tagged in photos, posted images of people, their kids, etc and tagged the same people. Now "friends of friends" are consistently contacting me as well as a few businesses.

My wife is always hearing me grunt when I see images of people on Facebook who have been attacked with some gawd-awful Photoshop action or some medium gray conversion only to see 20 comments telling them how awesome a photo this is.

gwe21

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

12/23/2009 01:48:13 PM · #12

I was going to put a post on Facebook one day titled "everyone thinks they are photographers"

I know some people that call themselves photog's but they dont even know what RAW format means or rule of thirds for that matter.

I admit that when I first really started trying to become "a photographer" I didnt know these things, but I studied and read and learned and had FANTASTIC mentors HERE on DPC that led me along the way. I never even attmepted to charge people for photos until I knew what I was doing (kind of)

I enjoy doing portraits here in my studio at home. So that is what I do, and I get friends and family and people I know to model for me. I dont make a lot of money, but dont want to either, its the fun of it for me.

and I would NEVER EVER EVER EVER go charge someone for a wedding because I dont know how to shoot weddings.

12/23/2009 01:53:22 PM · #13

Originally posted by gwe21:

Totally agree, some people cant even spell phtotogrpher let alone pass themselves off as one.

12/23/2009 01:53:50 PM · #14

Originally posted by gwe21:

and I would NEVER EVER EVER EVER go charge someone for a wedding because I dont know how to shoot weddings.

Never stopped me ;)

rmezzo

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

12/23/2009 02:14:58 PM · #15

Originally posted by Simms:

with a few comments of "Wow, you must have an amazing camera" which I have let pass for customer relations purposes.

Geez. Don't they know it's the lens that makes you good, not the camera :P

AJSullivan

12/23/2009 02:26:38 PM · #16

Originally posted by gwe21:

I know a photographer that makes damn close, if not over 100k a year with her camera, and she doesn't really know much about any of the technicals, why this does that, or any of the rules. Still a photographer though.

12/23/2009 02:29:49 PM · #17

Originally posted by gwe21:

Originally posted by AJSullivan:

A photographer, or a savvy businesswoman?

There are some well-paid pros around here that aren't particularly good photographers.

12/23/2009 02:32:22 PM · #18

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by gwe21:
I was going to put a post on Facebook one day titled "everyone thinks they are photographers"

I know some people that call themselves photog's but they dont even know what RAW format means or rule of thirds for that matter.

Originally posted by AJSullivan:
I know a photographer that makes damn close, if not over 100k a year with her camera, and she doesn't really know much about any of the technicals, why this does that, or any of the rules. Still a photographer though.

A photographer, or a savvy businesswoman?

There are some well-paid pros around here that aren't particularly good photographers.

You think? I couldn't name any of them - that's a bit of a harsh comment - thinking through all the professionals on the site I couldn't actually pick one who I didn't think fit the bill as a pro.

Or do you mean around `here` as in where you live? You have to maek the distinction between real-lifeÂ© and DPC-lifeÂ©

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

12/23/2009 02:34:53 PM · #19

Originally posted by gwe21:

Originally posted by AJSullivan:

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

A photographer, or a savvy businesswoman?

There are some well-paid pros around here that aren't particularly good photographers.

Originally posted by Simms:

Sorry....I meant here where I live.....

AJSullivan

12/23/2009 02:38:02 PM · #20

Hey if you can support a family with a camera, youre a photographer in my book, good at it or not.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

12/23/2009 03:08:24 PM · #21

I think you are right about standards here and how it takes real effort to maintain any kind of quality. I am trying to take a good photo, let alone a great one. I am Mr Average, but a lot of that is down to being picky as already stated. I suppose if I keep working at PS and composition, and framing and finding the right subject, I may get that good shot:))

Message edited by author 2009-12-23 15:08:46.

12/23/2009 03:18:55 PM · #22

Originally posted by AJSullivan:

Hey if you can support a family with a camera, youre a photographer in my book, good at it or not.

No, that just makes you a professional, not a photographer.

I wouldn't consider Thomas Kincaid an artist.....8>)

Citadel

Nikon D7500