what hinders you?

biomed said:
Joe - I took a photo class earlier this year. The textbook used was The Tao of Photography by Philippe L. Gross & S. I. Shapiro. In a chapter titled "Barriers to Seeing" the number 1 barrier to seeing was the need to conform and win approval. I found this to be a hard habit to overcome and still struggle with it. This desire to fit in can really strangle creativity. I just checked out your blog. You are a talented and creative photographer. If your images only please you, then so be it. Be passionate and shoot what you feel. Sometimes photos are just images, but wow, when you create an image that sings to you, that is art! Keep shooting my friend.

Mike

p.s. Thank you Simon.
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i don't think it's approval or the need to conform...i get a fair amount of positive feedback from non photographers and it is enjoyable...what i miss is feedback from people who shoot with a similar intent as mine...to create.

'I just checked out your blog. You are a talented and creative photographer.'

that's very nice to hear...and it validates my efforts...much appreciated.
 
gb hill said:
....I carry a camera with me but I often go days without taking a single photo....
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There is nothing wrong with this, Greg. I often go WEEKS without shooting anything! I carry a camera everywhere, but do not care if I do or don't use it. I shoot only when I see something that interests me, in the light I like, etc. The ability to pass things by if the light, weather, etc. is not perfect is one most photographers do not have, and it makes the difference in my opinion.
 
I have too many ideas. Therefore, things are spread thin, and more likely than not, abandoned before "finished"!
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
There is nothing wrong with this, Greg. I often go WEEKS without shooting anything! I carry a camera everywhere, but do not care if I do or don't use it. I shoot only when I see something that interests me, in the light I like, etc. The ability to pass things by if the light, weather, etc. is not perfect is one most photographers do not have, and it makes the difference in my opinion.
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Dear Chris,

Seconded, in every word.

Cheers,

R.
 
Nothing. I photograph every week wherever I am and always get something worth the effort to me. I don't worry about pleasing others, only seeing what I see. Being in the moment and seeing what is actually in front of me rather than what I am expected to see is the real prize for me. The image is just the record of that seeing. I like finding the extraordinary within the ordinary.
 
I don't know that it's a "hindrance", but I've set very tight limitations on what I'm interested in photographing, so I don't push the button a lot. I've narrowed it down to family, friends, and people at my shop (co-workers and customers)--that is, only people I know--and no cliche photos or unnecessary repeats (only one good representational photo of each person, except for my wife, usually, though I can keep trying for a better one).
 
riise said:
the one real limitation a human being faces is her or himself.

you only have 15 minutes, create the mindset in yourself to make every one of those 15 count.

to the gentleman with the new baby, Congratulation! have you thought about doing a family portrait series? I am always astonished and moved by how a father or mother is able to photograph their own child. You are present for the most tender and raw moments. That is an enviable advantage!

if you don't own a particular lens or camera you think you need, work with what you have and treat it with respect because it is the tool of your craft and ONLY as capable as you.

and you have to be honest with yourself as to why do photography. you may never be praised or congratulated and it may be too personal an endeavor for you; however, that should not be discouraging because there is tremendous value to what you do. the things you've seen, have left an impression and been a part of your life. Honor that!
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The above are good points.

There have been legions of reasons offered as to why we cannot do what we want to do photographically. In the end, we can't do what we want to do because we allow other things to stop us.

Two questions:
1 - Are you blind or vision impaired?
2 - Do you own a camera and a lens?

Provided your answer to #1 is no and the answer to #2 is yes, what is stopping you? Two things: Not making our photography a priority and self imposed limitations.

To quote Napoleon Hill-
“There are no limitations to the mind except those that we acknowledge.”
And -
"The starting point of all achievement is desire. Weak desire brings weak results.”

The cynical will dismiss these words as mere platitudes and Pollyanna naivety - and that is exactly the kind of thinking that holds them back in photography and in life.

Photography, like any artistic pursuit, is not an easy path. It is an uphill battle. It is hard work. It requires dedication, sacrifice and commitment. It is very difficult to make money in photography these days - particularly if you try to do it by marching to your own drummer rather than doing the bidding of paying clients.

So what??

If you love photography, do it anyway.

And read this book: http://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026 It has been a great help to many an artist.



I will close with this bit of truth brought to us by Calvin Coolidge:
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
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grapejohnson said:
Directed by Wang Kar-Wai. It's on Netflix.
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The look to many of his movies is breathtaking. My personal favorite is "In The Mood For Love," those scenes in the rain at night...

As I seem to have abandoned my DSLR for 120 film, I now take far fewer photos. Mostly my lack of patience and curiosity is holding me back from getting the photos I want. Too often I settle for good when going deeper would lead to great.
 
Fewer times than I'd like, I can truly convey what I envisioned to the viewer of my shots. At least based on the feedback (or lack thereof) that I receive.
 
gb hill said:
Currently reading this.
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Thanks very much indeed for the recommendation for Art & Fear. I am reading it much more slowly than I normally read because it's a fascinating combination of "Of course!" and "Why didn't I see that before?" A BRILLIANT book.

Cheers,

R.
 
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mainly, lack of any talent, dedication or focus. and then some other minor things... though, i do like to think that my next lens will compensate for all that ;-)
 
Being uncomfortable to take pictures of strangers is what bugs me the most about myself as a photographer.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Thanks very much indeed for the recommendation for Art & Fear. I am reading it much more slowly than I normally read because it's a fascinating combination of "Of course!" and "Why didn't I see that before?" A BRILLIANT book.

Cheers,

R.
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Don't forgot the sequel: "A view from the studio door". I've read A&F there times now, and I keep repeating it.

Stefan
 
Exposure.

I knew it at the ad-lib level, but it just sinked-in recently that I had to work on it, instead of waiting for it to happen by itself.

:)
 
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