In the groove #1 - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon

05/31/2004 12:35:08 AM · #1

As you may know if ya hang out in the forums as much as I do... I've had a couple of hardware and software failures, lost a lot of files, and am kinda inna funk. Haven't had a lot of inspiration with the challenges. Haven't been able to shoot much thanks to crappy weather and a crazy schedule. Lost most of my storage space so if I did go out and shoot anything its a pain to process. I've lost my groove... I want my groove back!

So if you wouldn't mind helping me get it back, tell me why do ya shoot whatever it is that YOU shoot? What makes YOU take photos of bugs, flowers, cats, dogs, ducks, water drops, (insert your favorite subject here)? What is it that truly motivates you to shoot? Why do you brave the heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, hail, hot studio lights, (insert your most common complaint about photography here)? Think about it for a second? Where is YOUR groove?

Rooster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/31/2004 12:36:54 AM · #2

your unusual was fantastic & I thought it would ribbon! If that's out of groove, I am in bigger trouble than I thought!
Your stuff rocks dude!

fstopopen

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

05/31/2004 12:40:16 AM · #3

My passion is landscapes. I feel that we have been gifted so much natural beauty, and it is right there in front of us. We don't have to look hard, just look, and there it is. This world is so big, and we get caught up in the "macro" of our lives. I love to put on my wide angle and soak up everything that has been given to us.

drake.

Jesuispeure

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

05/31/2004 12:42:03 AM · #4

My favorite quote on the matter: "Art is why I get up in the morning, but my definition ends there, and it doesn't seem fair that I'm living for something I can't even define, but there you are in the mean time." -Ani Difranco.

Because you have to. Because it's there. Because other people look at it and understand. Because you look at other people's stuff and understand.

dsidwell

Canon EOS-5D

05/31/2004 12:44:34 AM · #5

I'm so busy and stressed right now, I use photography to relax. So I just carry around my camera and take photos of whatever. I used to set up shots and take hours in a day to get a fancy thing, but not right now. Maybe later.

grigrigirl

Nikon D3

Nikon AF Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G IF-ED DX

05/31/2004 12:47:29 AM · #6

photography is a direct reflection of myself...the expression...release. How can you not?

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

05/31/2004 12:50:31 AM · #7

There's always a battery in the charger, the camera is with me always. I got me a digital because I can take 100+ shots a day. I shoot everything and anything, I am bound to no genre. If you even think the shot is too weird, shoot it anyways...those are the best ones. When's the last time you've seen someone shot a spilled cup of coffee?

One of those Days

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 00:55:06.

taterbug

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

05/31/2004 12:50:43 AM · #8

Great idea for a movie -- "The Dude's new Groove" or... "How Toocool got his Groove Back". hehehe

Seriously though... I think I agree with Rooster, after seeing "Stairway to Dreams", and the "Rockeagle Chapel", if that's in a funk, I'm throwing my camera away. :-)

Your "funk" is probably more due to the crappy weather (I'm here and I hear you on that) and crazy schedule, not your pix!

Let's get together again and go shoot some "stuff" soon.

MusicAngel

05/31/2004 01:43:07 AM · #9

"dude, you're throwing off my groove..."
(quote from the disney movie The Emperors New Groove...go watch it it will make you laugh.)

but seriously...I think everyone gets a little down and out, maybe a little burned out on stuff every once in awhile. I'm sure it will come back soon! not to mention your pictures are amazing!

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

05/31/2004 02:15:07 AM · #10

Isn't that something...all this talk about hardware failure. Well just minutes ago I heard a noise kind of like a golf ball being done up in a blender, seconds later total shut down. :{ Needless to say I'm on the kids pewter now, pondering the age old question "Who will be open on memorial day to sell me a CPU fan"?

I think I'll be joining TooCool, got something cold to drink?

TooCool

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

05/31/2004 12:18:10 PM · #11

Any more inspirations?

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

05/31/2004 01:40:18 PM · #12

TooCool: Yes, you are!! Your bad day would be ten times better than my best right now (or ever). I probably never will have what you and the other poeple on the post have going on. But last week I got very depressed with the whole thing and thought I should just leave this phtography stuff to the real artists here . . . but then I started getting all excited playing with some shots I stopped and took in the park that day. They are not really good shots -- but the point is, I was having a lot of fun and I was showing a little bit of "learning" in my editing. I feel like I will never find a "groove" or find another interesting shot again (I am not as creative as the folks here), but I know now I won't give it up because it's too much damn fun and a challenge for my brain!! Each of us can fun and feel creative and unstressed (it's my stress-buster, too) at our own level, I guess. So with your talent, just hang in there and I'll bet if you take a picture today of your living room it will probably somehow turn out awesome with you taking the shot!!!

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 13:41:20.

e301

05/31/2004 02:50:14 PM · #13

I shoot because I don't believe that I see the world the same way as everyone else - not making a big thing of it, I think this probably applies to everone - and I use my photography to try to express that, to try to show things the way I see them, to try to make others realise those strange beauties, to make others see the stories that I see in strange places.

DPC however, is a learning medium. If i can learn to take shots that people here like, and to place high on a regular basis, I will feel that I've learnt to control my camera. Of course that is also not always the case - sometimes I just submit shots that I think are getting close to my real challenge (which pretty universally get a low 5 score or less).

Ed

moodville

Nikon D100

05/31/2004 03:08:12 PM · #14

I often get in funks, normally when I tire of what I'm shooting and have a specific look that I want to accomplish but for whatever reason am unable. Currently that involves gritty urban candids and mountainous landscapes.

One of my long term projects is a photo-journal of the chimps at the local zoo. When I'm feeling particularly frustrated or without a groove I just go and shoot those - no expectations, just simple fun. Sometimes I dont get anything good, other times I get a hidden gem that makes me feel better.

I dont think it matters what you shoot, just the pressure you put on yourself to get something good that can ruin the fun of just going out and doing it.

geewhy

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

05/31/2004 03:17:08 PM · #15

Can`t say I have a groove..maybe one day..but my biggest problem is leaving submissions until the last day, I really must change and get some organisation.
I would like to get a grip of this business and be able to produce quality stuff but I fear it is going to take more application than I am willing or able to produce.

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

05/31/2004 03:38:08 PM · #16

Originally posted by geewhy:

I would like to get a grip of this business and be able to produce quality stuff but I fear it is going to take more application than I am willing or able to produce.

You've got a pretty good grip as far as I can see!!!! I am the one with the problem of not taking the time or investment to really get a pro look. I seem to have trouble finding anything I like in my area, too! LOL. Just added you to my Favorites.

geewhy

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

05/31/2004 06:25:59 PM · #17

Originally posted by Kylie:

Originally posted by geewhy:

I would like to get a grip of this business and be able to produce quality stuff but I fear it is going to take more application than I am willing or able to produce.

You've got a pretty good grip as far as I can see!!!! I am the one with the problem of not taking the time or investment to really get a pro look. I seem to have trouble finding anything I like in my area, too! LOL. Just added you to my Favorites.

Kylie thanks for the kind words..In my opinion your work has quality..I fully expect you to go from strength to strength here...

The point I was trying to make is that despite a couple of ribbon wins I am no further forward in understanding the nitty gritty of post processing.. I read all these threads about using this layer and that layer to rearrange things and to be honest, it`s all gobbledegook to me.
This is where I really need to put the time and effort in to learn how to produce the best images I can..but I`m far too lazy for that.

I think I`ve probably reached the peak of my capabilities..but who knows maybe I`ll decide to buckle down and do some serious learning one day ?

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 20:04:21.

blemt

Nikon D70

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

05/31/2004 06:51:52 PM · #18

When I'm in the land of grooveless, I get my tush out of bed at ungodly hours of the morning. I go down to my favorite shooting site and just start snapping.

It's amazing the energy that builds as I do this. By the time I'm an hour into shooting, I am looking for things to take pictures of.

Clara

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

05/31/2004 07:37:55 PM · #19

The point I was trying to make is that despite a couple of ribbon wins I am no further forward in understanding the nitty gritty of post processing.. I read all these threads about using this layer and that layer to rearrange things and to be honest, it`s all gobbledegook to me.
This is where I really need to put the time and effort in to learn how to produce the best images I can..but I`m far too lazy to for that.

I think I`ve probably reached the peak of my capabilities..but who knows maybe I`ll decide to buckle down and do some serious learning one day ? [/quote]

Thanks back; very kind of you! I just ordered PS Elements 2 and some books to help me learn. I don't think I will ever be able or willing to take it as far as some here, but I guess I really do need to learn some semi-advanced stuff -- because there is so much beauty you are then free to create. BUT . . . . . .we'll see how far I get! I love learning new stuff actually; just never enough time to do it all! And thanks to all who help give some great tips for the PS processing! I will be very happy to reach Geewhy's level if I can someday. (I do understand your own desire to be better still; just saying that you are the "better" for me.)

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 19:38:45.

PhilipDyer

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/31/2004 07:54:27 PM · #20

That's an easy one. I will keep taking pictures as long as my neighbor keeps leaving her curtains open. ;-)

Actually, I think everyone needs some creative expression and since I can't sing or draw a straight line, photography is my only possible outlet. So many people on this site are great at both art and photography, but I'm trying not to let that intimidate me.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

05/31/2004 08:06:35 PM · #21

I don't have a groove yet, but I have a goal to become groovy in short order! :o)

I just take my camera with me everywhere. I am constantly guilty, however, of NOT stopping the car to take that awesome landscape or sunset or architectural shot because I'm in a hurry, the kids are with me, there's nowhere to park, blah blah blah. I am making a resolution, as you are my witnesses, to stop that car when opportunity presents itself! :o) (as long as there are no cops around and I think I won't get in trouble or hit by other cars!) LOL

ellamay

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

05/31/2004 08:08:03 PM · #22

I take pictures, usually of the natural world, because in it I see the amazing intricacies of life. I see the beauty that the Creator has given. I see how the baby duck I was shooting recently is part of something bigger than itself, (esp. when a seagul came down and ate it as I shot, i had nightmares for days of it) I see how each and every creature and critter and flower and bug, and bird and human is so linked to every other. I see the interdependency of life. I take pictures cuz it is a challenge to show someone something they haven't seen before, or to see it in a new light. I saw with my recent 'dandelion' shot that the seeds are actually moist at some point in their life cycle, I have blown a million of those in my life and never once did I notice that. I learn when I take pictures. I have learned a heron family of 4 consumes as many calories in a day as a human. That their babies look like punk rockers, and that these birds I only saw solitary before, actually have a community like you wouldnt believe when mating. I take pictures so I can be reminded that we all have a place in this world. A perfect place in it, with incredible timing, with delicate and intricate balances, and an order and beauty to it which I do not want to pass by or take for granted. It is also a chance to 'preserve' some of that. Hopefully, I and others, maybe thru a photo, will be more inspired to protect and maintain our world, our fellow humans and its creature inhabitants. (steps off soapbox : ) )

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 20:09:53.

Neuferland

Google Pixel 2

05/31/2004 11:09:02 PM · #23

My passion changes from week to week, sometimes with the challenge, sometimes not. I like the new challenges that make me try something new like the soft focus and painting with light but my passion that stays true week in and week out is taking pictures of my kids. They are willing models, they bring me luck and I can still boss them around, LOL! I also love taking shots of the horse at Gales, always looking to get just the right shot of them running or rearing or playing.

Hope all your hardware/software problems get taken care of soon and you get out of the funk because if you are shooting stuff like what you entered in Unusual Viewpoint while in a funk, I can't wait to see what you start shooting when you are feeling better!

Deannda

TooCool