ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
I like the photos I take. Occasionally some will stand out. I'm just happy walking around taking pictures, its a good excuse to walk around areas I normally don't walk around. And when I do take photos, its nice to see where I was or what I did that day.
retnull
Well-known
Hating one's own photos is not a bad thing. There is no other force that can drive you try to make great photos. All the best artists think they need to do better, no matter how good they are.
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peterm1
Veteran
I have become happier with my efforts since learning to use post processing software better. Now I never publish a photo till it has at least had basic enhancements. I have come to the conclusion that no photo that comes out of a digital camera is suitable till at least it gets some basic processing - color saturation, contrast and brightness, sharpness and noise reduction. Then I know whether it has potential. Without this - pretty much all are cruddy. Even the good ones. That means putting a bit of time and effort into photoshopping but I really do not mind. Its actually quite fun and just as creative as pointing a camera.
John Robertson
Well-known
Review them critically; bin immediately those you are not happy with; above all do not try to "rescue" them in PS, it can only makes a bad photo worse; and most of all, do NOT inflict them on the public as "art" with the riposte "well I like it!!" Most galleries have loads of these.
My pet hate is the person who shows a photo (or painting), then has to spend 10 minutes explaining what he was trying to achieve. Its a visual art, what's the expression " a picture is worth a thousand words "?
Well for Gods sake spare us the words!!:bang:
My pet hate is the person who shows a photo (or painting), then has to spend 10 minutes explaining what he was trying to achieve. Its a visual art, what's the expression " a picture is worth a thousand words "?
Well for Gods sake spare us the words!!:bang:
Merkin
For the Weekend
I agree with this completely, although I would add the caveat that you should wait at least a couple weeks if not a month between shooting the images and reviewing the images, if possible, to give time for all but the strongest of feelings and emotions from that day's shooting to subside. The editing process and the picture taking process are, imo, completely different mentally, and a good bit of separation between the two tends to, for me at least, be beneficial.
John Kozy
Member
The main goal for me ... I keep telling myself ... is to see the world , to notice the beauty , the irony , or even the pain . This started with my first camera . The photos and the percentage of good ones , improved in my eyes as I gained experience , ever so slowly . I'm very happy now .
On the other hand , I just gave away my sail boat ; I don't think persistence would have improved my skills there . But maybe not ... cameras don't almost drowned you though .
On the other hand , I just gave away my sail boat ; I don't think persistence would have improved my skills there . But maybe not ... cameras don't almost drowned you though .
Al Kaplan
Veteran
Merkin, I agree that a few weeks between the shoot and the editing is worthwhile. A lot of newer photographers are getting so used to immediate editing gratification that they miss shots while involved with chimping, then delete all the "bad" ones right then and there. They're not always bad.
lorriman
Established
My friends often rush me, and then I take not so good pics.
But if I have the time then I can set things up properly, study what I see in the viewfinder and adjust. I get maybe 25% really good pics. My little brothers and sisters are the best for this, my neices and nephews the worst. I also cheat: I go through thousands of other peoples pics and recreate the ones I like. I also prefer plenty of shadow on peoples faces: it lends atmosphere. That shadow saves a lot of photos that would otherwise be fairly boring. And I always tell my subjects to stop smiling: smily photos are really just glorified snaps.
But if I have the time then I can set things up properly, study what I see in the viewfinder and adjust. I get maybe 25% really good pics. My little brothers and sisters are the best for this, my neices and nephews the worst. I also cheat: I go through thousands of other peoples pics and recreate the ones I like. I also prefer plenty of shadow on peoples faces: it lends atmosphere. That shadow saves a lot of photos that would otherwise be fairly boring. And I always tell my subjects to stop smiling: smily photos are really just glorified snaps.
John Robertson
Well-known
I agree with both of these, a lot of what we see on the 'net are snaps. nothing wrong with that in itsself, but best kept among family and friends, to whom they "mean" something, not posted on galleries.
I am VERY much a solo photographer, I have gone out a couple of times with our local camera club on a photo"shoot". I just can't work that way, and the slide show afterwards is best forgotten, someone sees a good angle, then everyone else takes the same shot. By the time they leave you could fall down the tripod holes!!!
I am what the French call a "flanneur" I go for a walk and just keep my eyes open and look, camera is virtually preset. I take one or two shots and move on. Can't stand the machinegun aproach, never works for me.
Chris101
summicronia
There was once a photography magazine called Stop Smiling.
Richard G
Veteran
I agree with not deleting a digital photo too quickly and especially from the LCD view on the camera. Keep them a while. My photos have improved since I started regularly visiting online forums, a substitute for being in a camera club. I have learnt so much from photo.net and here. Looking at photos and thinking photographically and carrying a camera most of the time all help. I read a Popular Photography compendium from the '70s recently where someone was extolling the virtues of polaroid for learning to take better pictures. Nowadays this is digital. My film photography, 90% + of what I am currently doing, has been helped by the possibilities of digital. Hell, I am now learning from my teenage children as well, not technicalities, artistic creativity.
John Robertson
Well-known
My Uncle was a professional photographer for over 50 years, and many many years ago he taught me the basics. I remember well one thing he said with regard to having a slide show after going on holiday.
"Its like Marc Antony's speech in Julius Ceasar, "the evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones ---" i.e. people will remember the bad shots best, not the good ones, so make damned sure they never see them."
People will remember the shot with a tree growing out of someones head, not the beautiful well composed landscape.
"Its like Marc Antony's speech in Julius Ceasar, "the evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones ---" i.e. people will remember the bad shots best, not the good ones, so make damned sure they never see them."
People will remember the shot with a tree growing out of someones head, not the beautiful well composed landscape.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Unlike the rest of you, my photos are intentionally bad.
Every once in a while I slip up and take a good one...
Chris
Every once in a while I slip up and take a good one...
Chris
Lilserenity
Well-known
I'd say that I used to take some very decidedly average photos and some might say I still do. That said, I think I have improved over the years and I am pretty much self taught. All I'm striving to do is capture as best possible what I see how I see it on the camera. With rangefinders I have found that to easier than with an SLR on the whole.
That said on a roll of 36 I get a few good keepers, and some duffers. Sometimes I get a roll out of the tank and think "These are all mediocre", and some rolls I can't believe that they came out so well.
As time goes by, stick at it, read, learn and watch others -- if you've got the passion, you'll start getting good results on a regular basis but it's going to take time and disappointment to get there. Some people are natural photographers, others learn the art -- I'm not sure where I am but somewhere in between that I think. My first natural art has been writing and drawing, but I've found photography communicates more about what I write than any drawing I've ever made.
Sometimes if I find my work is looking empty, I look at other people's works, go to the library and get a book out on one of the greats, and then it gives me ideas.... Don't be afraid to emulate what's been done before, when you're confident with that, you'll start splicing your own ideas in, and that's when the magic happens.
That said on a roll of 36 I get a few good keepers, and some duffers. Sometimes I get a roll out of the tank and think "These are all mediocre", and some rolls I can't believe that they came out so well.
As time goes by, stick at it, read, learn and watch others -- if you've got the passion, you'll start getting good results on a regular basis but it's going to take time and disappointment to get there. Some people are natural photographers, others learn the art -- I'm not sure where I am but somewhere in between that I think. My first natural art has been writing and drawing, but I've found photography communicates more about what I write than any drawing I've ever made.
Sometimes if I find my work is looking empty, I look at other people's works, go to the library and get a book out on one of the greats, and then it gives me ideas.... Don't be afraid to emulate what's been done before, when you're confident with that, you'll start splicing your own ideas in, and that's when the magic happens.
JohnTF
Veteran
Fergus, a bit late to the game, but--
Some days and some places are just better than others. Some shots I just know are good when the shutter is pressed, a kind of a feeling. Experience is terrific, takes time.
Some times it just seems you encounter photographs that you can capture, you need to do your part, but it is possible.
Other times, there is just no real possibility.
Once you get to an acceptable level of technical competency, you can continue to develop your eye, and think about photography.
I am jealous of several individuals I know who just seem to have more of those good days, in fact, they seem to do well every day. They are better than I am. Some days, some places, I am good.
If possible, insert yourself in to situations of good opportunity.
I am always interested in finding those places, sometimes you stumble upon them, sometimes you hear about them.
So -- your photographic work is affected by external factors and internal factors. Control over those is variable.
I enjoy hearing about places where you encounter good external factors.
I would not mind seeing a list, or book, of good places to find opportunities to shoot.
Wandering about with a camera forces you to look more, and there have been many times I have seen excellent photos, but I could not get the shot because I had no camera, or the situation was too fleeting, or some other problem. I remember them a long time.
Someone mentioned Mexico, there are many opportunities there, a favorite place for me. I have traveled around with an excellent local photographer and artist there who has some ideas of the day's settings before we head out. Prepare your mind to take advantage.
A good photograph involves things coming together, and the technology to capture it.
Your photography will evolve.
I am reminded of several people I have given cameras to, and they were good with the first roll, I have had to work harder, and still need to do so.
Regards, John
Some days and some places are just better than others. Some shots I just know are good when the shutter is pressed, a kind of a feeling. Experience is terrific, takes time.
Some times it just seems you encounter photographs that you can capture, you need to do your part, but it is possible.
Other times, there is just no real possibility.
Once you get to an acceptable level of technical competency, you can continue to develop your eye, and think about photography.
I am jealous of several individuals I know who just seem to have more of those good days, in fact, they seem to do well every day. They are better than I am. Some days, some places, I am good.
If possible, insert yourself in to situations of good opportunity.
I am always interested in finding those places, sometimes you stumble upon them, sometimes you hear about them.
So -- your photographic work is affected by external factors and internal factors. Control over those is variable.
I enjoy hearing about places where you encounter good external factors.
I would not mind seeing a list, or book, of good places to find opportunities to shoot.
Wandering about with a camera forces you to look more, and there have been many times I have seen excellent photos, but I could not get the shot because I had no camera, or the situation was too fleeting, or some other problem. I remember them a long time.
Someone mentioned Mexico, there are many opportunities there, a favorite place for me. I have traveled around with an excellent local photographer and artist there who has some ideas of the day's settings before we head out. Prepare your mind to take advantage.
A good photograph involves things coming together, and the technology to capture it.
Your photography will evolve.
I am reminded of several people I have given cameras to, and they were good with the first roll, I have had to work harder, and still need to do so.
Regards, John
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John Robertson
Well-known
On the VERY few occasions I went out on a photo club "shoot" I used to be envious of theis elderly man who would go out with an ancient
German Lordomat r/f camera and a couple of lenses. You hardly ever saw Donald taking a shot, he would just amble along. Some said he just came for the stroll.
However when he showed us the prints it was a very different story, he could "see" pictures in places the rest of us had simply passed by, some people seem to just be born with this gift, I don't think it can be learned, either you have or have not got "it" The rest of us just have to do our best.
JohnTF
Veteran
I also rehash some excursions and think about the shots I somehow passed because I became distracted. A couple of friends from Germany came to visit in Prague, and I can say I got shots they did not and they got several I did not.
I have always wanted to visit Scotland for at least two reasons, one being photography. ;-) J
I have always wanted to visit Scotland for at least two reasons, one being photography. ;-) J
John Robertson
Well-known
That is why I generally work alone!! But it is still the case that even without distractions, some people can just see pictures where others just don't, and probably never will.
The second reason must be liquid, it can't be the climate!!
JohnTF
Veteran
I have a friend in Cleethorpes, with your name BTW, who takes excursions up there all the time. We planned a few times to get up there, just my European friends are well scattered, and US travel outfits seem to only like couples, going someplace for one week, and returning from a single location.
There are several friends who seem to help me shoot, Zuzanna and Simona. I just seem to see things differently when they are along.
Florencio in Mexico as well, but he is just a terrific photographer, some of the best work I have ever seen. I also normally see him in Uruapan and the areas around there have opportunities. Many places I found with him deserve a revisit.
It gets to be a bit of voodoo at times.
Yes, I think I could manage a drop or two, though JR in Cleethorpes does not drink.
Somehow, while I enjoy "seeing" a good photo, the proof is in a real image that works. Once you see it, the ball is in your court.
Some of us also require a bit more direction than others.
Regards, John
There are several friends who seem to help me shoot, Zuzanna and Simona. I just seem to see things differently when they are along.
Florencio in Mexico as well, but he is just a terrific photographer, some of the best work I have ever seen. I also normally see him in Uruapan and the areas around there have opportunities. Many places I found with him deserve a revisit.
It gets to be a bit of voodoo at times.
Yes, I think I could manage a drop or two, though JR in Cleethorpes does not drink.
Somehow, while I enjoy "seeing" a good photo, the proof is in a real image that works. Once you see it, the ball is in your court.
Some of us also require a bit more direction than others.
Regards, John