I am looking for a casual mentor

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR

01/12/2005 01:41:45 PM · #1

Okay, I'm going to get serious.

I have some specific photographic goals in mind for this year and some goals that are not so specific.

I do have the ultimate goal (and am very determined) to earn enough to pay for my photography expenses within the next two years and I have an ultimate goal of full-time income at photography within ten years.

My motives for photography are not simply to earn money, they are widespread. I love every aspect of photography and every kind of photography.

One of my first goals is to do a little bit of photojournalistic work for my local newspaper with a circulation of about 50,000. I am going to begin to establish contacts there.

I'm looking for a mentor from this site to help me critique my work consistently and have the eye to watch for improvements in my work. I would like to develop my composition, exposure practices, developing of contacts in the industry, post-processing, displaying and selling of my work.

I have some people on this site in mind who I would love to ask to mentor me, but I don't want to unnecessarily burden anyone with having to turn down my request.

I would envision the process to go as such:

- My mentor would look at my PaD photo and look for simple improvements: "why wouldn't you have gotten a little bit lower? Also, you could have afforded a lower ISO setting because you didn't need a 1/50 shutter speed with your tripod."
- He/she would also note areas that are improving and areas that I'm struggling with
- He/she would help me define my portfolio and give me tips for better processing of photos in my current portfolio

Although this is a long post and I'm making it sound like I'm looking for someone to adopt me, I really think that being my mentor would only require an hour or so per week (I know, that's still a lot!). I really believe it's important to have a specific person monitor my progress and encourage/teach me.

I know that this is a lot to ask, and may be in fact too much to ask...and all I have to offer in return is my gratitude, my photographs and the promise that I will do the same for somebody else one day.

BADDBOYY21

Nikon D300

01/12/2005 01:55:39 PM · #2

Hey...this is a good idea. I think I need to get one of these too. Im serious...anyone want to adopt me?

01/12/2005 03:32:42 PM · #3

I'm going to bump this about 4 times to see if anybody is willing...bump # 1...

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/12/2005 03:52:36 PM · #4

I would help if I could, but I'm on the learning end of the curve rather than the teaching end myself. If you cannot find one person to mentor you, you might want to find a small group of dpc'ers with similar interestes and swap critiques. DPC has gotten so big and diverse that it may make sense to create your own study group.

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

01/12/2005 03:55:13 PM · #5

Originally posted by Nusbaum:

I understand what you're saying, and this site is generally very helpful, but I would really like for somebody specific to kick me in the butt, address early flaws, look for patterns in my work, recognize strengths, and so on and so forth...

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/12/2005 03:55:25 PM · #6

I PM'd you cloud. Check yer mail.

Robt.

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

01/12/2005 04:01:07 PM · #7

I think you would be much better off browsing not only this site but others and finding a photographer who's style you like and feel attracted to.

Then PM them asking for advice / if they will be your mentor and so forth.

No point learning from someone who, whilst able to take good photographs, doesn't bode well in your taste department.

JP

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/12/2005 04:04:38 PM · #8

I agree with Jon (but just this ONCE).

graphicfunk

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/12/2005 04:26:43 PM · #9

I am affraid Jonpink has offered the best possible advise in this matter. I will simply elaborate on his point as it applies to me.

First and foremost it is understood that the best teacher is within us. This is indeed the ultimate quest not only for photography but even life itself. The teacher then tries to open the students communion with himself through exercises etc. At some point the student receives self correction and guidance from within.

being the eternal student I am never faithful to one teacher. I even invite diverse points of views and teaching styles.

Now, like Jonpink says, best to find someone that you admire and this is very important because there will be less time wasted in questioning the teacher, his methods, his works and last but not least the teachers holistic approach to the art in question. There has to be admiration in order to emulate.

Great teachers are few because the best teacher simply wants to bring out what is all ready in you. Some teacheres are pedagogue. These are very close minded and believe that their means is the only way to the end. Others are flippant because they tend to downplay the difficulty inherent in the art. And some teachers suffer from tunnel vision. That is they gain a scintilla of recognition and establish a school wherein the textbook is written.

There is the problem. You want a teacher that will complement your temperament. While mostly any teacher can get you started in the basics, not many will carry you past that point.

The answer is to seek. To look at ports and see if they spark your respect and then contact this list. I am sure you will score if your search is thorough.

Message edited by author 2005-01-12 16:27:12.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/12/2005 04:27:24 PM · #10

Hmmm...makes sense but like I said, I didn't want to burden anybody. There are about a half dozen people who I specifically would love to have as mentors but like I said, I really don't want to bug anyone...

bear_music..thank you for your gracious offer. I have replied to your PM and look forward to your response! I haven't gotten to 'know' you or your photography very well in since December 18th, but I know that I resonate with what you're saying a lot of the time in these forums...

Edit: This post was written before graphicfunk's post, but I suppose the first paragraph kind of speaks to his post as well. I do agree with what you're saying, though...

Message edited by author 2005-01-12 16:29:10.

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

01/12/2005 05:12:47 PM · #11

Originally posted by scalvert:

I agree with Jon (but just this ONCE).

LOl :D

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

01/12/2005 05:18:28 PM · #12

i might be up for a study group if anyone else is, under one condition.. every comment/critique would have to include at least 1 or 2 things they could see improvement in.. i love getting my ego boosted and all with the "nice shot!" comments, but usually learn very little with these as well.

but, if anyone wants to discuss this just open another thread - don't want to derail cloud's thread.

Message edited by author 2005-01-12 17:19:08.

plumber711

Canon EOS-20D

01/12/2005 05:42:00 PM · #13

[quote=graphicfunk] I am affraid Jonpink has offered the best possible advise in this matter. I will simply elaborate.......

That advice was so good, that in fact, it might be perfect, with no chance whatsoever to improve upon it. Well done funk man. It was also very kind of you to explain in detail as I was to point it out. Har har.

Fibonacci

Fujifilm FinePix S7000

01/12/2005 06:00:49 PM · #14

Mike.

May I suggest that you get hold of "pictures on a Page" by Harrold Evans. This is a brilliant book covering all aspects of journalistic photography including decisive moment, cropping, event photography. It features the work of a lot of master photojournalists. I've had my copy for years but it is still available on Amazon.

If you want a "non expert" commenter to review your stuff from time to time...sign me up.
Bob

swagman

Nikon D200

01/12/2005 06:12:09 PM · #15

cloud

There's more to photography than the technical aspect. Have you considered taking some art courses - specifically composition? Learn what makes a composition interesting, how shape and line, etc, affect a viewer.

You have a good eye and technical understanding, from what I see in your work, but when you can explain why something works to yourself, or another person person, then you can really plan what a composition will do to the viewer. Find an 'Art' mentor. Apply that to your photography.

A lack of understanding of composition is one of the biggest weaknesses I see in photographs, in general.

Message edited by author 2005-01-12 18:15:50.

swagman

Nikon D200

01/12/2005 06:46:13 PM · #16

cloud

I commented in detail on one of the sunset images in your profile as an example of what I meant. Hope it helps. ('Aeroplane into the City'}

Message edited by author 2005-01-12 18:47:14.

swagman

Nikon D200

01/12/2005 08:30:12 PM · #17

cloud

As you requested. If you're familiar with the rule of thirds - dividing an image into three sections - vertically and horizontally - creates four positions of strength in a composition. Placing an object at one of those four positions increases its prominence in a composition.

The trees are at one third, the center of the sun's glow near the opposite third, and the vapor trail leads the eye toward the center. The horizon runs along the bottom third, rather than the center. This also 'weights' the image towards the bottom, rather than the center, giving it a stable feeling - like a boat that's weighted below the waterline.

The lines in this example are not exact thirds - I popped them in visually, but you get the idea.

Message edited by author 2005-01-12 20:52:40.

cghubbell

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

01/12/2005 08:49:02 PM · #18

If I could make a suggestion, I think there's something strong to be said for letting yourself act as the guide. Not to discount the value of a mentor, but I'm hoping that you can find more of a compass within yourself.

This may not work for you, but I've spent the past few months working hard at studying others work... Even at the expense of some of the energy I'd normally put into my own work. I've been looking at Adams, Rowell, and Shaw primarily, but have also ventured out to become a member of photo.net and spend time reviewing portfolios there. I'm working very hard at understanding the catalysts of my own fires more than technical guidelines.

This effort has really helped to detach myself from the "moments" I snapped the shutter and review more critically for the details I aspire to. I'm light years from being satisfied with my work. but I'm learning to recognize misteps from my aesthetic goal. I believe that finding this yourself will guide you better than any mentor could.

That being said, there are many things to gain from a mentor so I wouldn't want to discourage you from it. I'd only suggest that you make sure you vividly understand your mind's eye prior to asking someone without that insight to help you. Else you risk loosing yourself in someone else's vision.

01/12/2005 09:12:50 PM · #19

swagman...I replied to your e-mail as I'm not sure about your crop. I can definitely find huge benefit in following your other tips about how to lead the eye (and even your tip on the crop...I just didn't like your result as the perspective seems screwy when you crop the right side like that)...Thanks!