Balls.......
jasonhupe
Established
time......
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Easier said than done.
Practice cannot change personal issues (confidence outdoors or in an intimate social setting is a common one).
My achilles heel is time. Available time is a big factor; when you actually have to earn a living which doesn't involve photography itself, and you have a life/family/what-have-you, it is a big weight.
I recommend people to use and search Meetup sites. Suburban areas sorely lack social groups other than retirees or soccer practice (as a very general example). I lived in a suburb (never again, btw) for a few years, and it was a soul-killer. Not to mention that everything was far away from anything that interested me.
There are many factors which culminate in one. And as I see it, the main one is Time.
Shac
Well-known
SciAggie
Well-known
I would wager you are a better guitar player than you admit, but I understand what you mean. No matter how much time we devote to some activity there is eventually some limit to our abilities. And in my opinion, even if we stink at something, it's still acceptable to enjoy it as a pastime or hobby.
Whether we are lousy photographers or guitarists or whatever, the time we spend is not wasted any more than the time others spend playing golf (sometimes badly) or reading or going to movies. We certainly could be engaged in more destructive pursuits.
This in no way relates to your comment, but I have heard people comment on the incredible volume of poor photos that are to be found online. Somehow there is an attitude by some they these "unworhty" photos shouldn't be taking up drive space on the servers. I agree there is a lot of junk and some of it is mine. My singing stinks also but no one is subjected to it on the web.
I think continual self-evaluation of one's abilities and limitations is useful and can help one grow in their hobby or passionate pursuit. Or - we can just pull the trigger and see what develops - that's ok too.
Ken Smith
Why yes Ma'am - it folds
I can seriously identify with that. While not at work, my off time goes to my family. We often lead a rushed life with a busy schedule. Two daughters who are 4 scholastic sport players (4 a piece), band, orchestra, you name it. It's usually during running between destinations that I see eye catching shots, but too busy to stop as we always operate on a tight time schedule.
My other biggest limit is being able to put what my eye sees on film. We live in Montana and it's one big visually eye-popping landscape state of vastness. I can see the variations of light in a snow squall moving between peaks, but can't put it on film. I see sunshine playing off the fringes of clouds, alpine glow on the mountains, islands of sunlight working their way across the the prairie. The shadow of a passing clouds transversing the mountains. I see the constant play of light, but yet cannot make it play on film.
But there is always hope - I just got a spot meter and perhaps that is the start.
TXForester
Well-known
That describes me, Ken. Photography is like fly casting. I can do it, but not good at it. I know what I'm supposed to do, and understand the techniques and technology. My photos are like big, open loops in my line.
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JFH
Established
I really like this thread.. It addresses a question that I've had about my own photography for some time, and suggests several reasons for / approaches to the dilemma.. And has been at least very thought provoking for me. So thanks all.
In my own case, i think perhaps it's a nearly complete lack of what one might call artistic understanding and ability (along with, of course a lack of artistic training of any kind.) I'm basically a mechanic and technical person at heart, and the various cameras, lenses, processes (with the exception of lighting, which I don't completely understand or perhaps I don't fully appreciate its full power) are things that I do enjoy and have at least a functional level of comfort with. So while I seem to be able to make pictures that are technically OK... focus, depth of field, exposure, wide enough or narrow enough angle to be able to include that which I originally intend to photograph, I still feel that something is lacking beyond all that.
I've managed to make a few photos, maybe, that say "wow!", but I do believe that the outcome and the process leading up to it were subconscious and / or unintentional more than rational, conscious, planned and controlled. Perhaps this would be described as "having a good eye," and has been mentioned to me by some, but it's frustrating not to be able to control, manipulate or predict it at least some of the time... all of which goes somewhat against my "mechanical" nature.
At times when I just "let myself go" and wander, or just crawl into a situation and see what happens... i.e. just let things happen and (perhaps) appeal to my subconscious rather than my conscious... at these times I seem to come up with "better" photos. At least it seems so to me a significant amount of the time.
So take your pick... either my Achilles heel is the fact that I exist almost totally outside the "art" world and thus don't understand it or participate in its nuances, or maybe it's that I get too tightly wound and purpose- directed and just need to "let myself go" more often....
You've got me thinking, anyway...
In my own case, i think perhaps it's a nearly complete lack of what one might call artistic understanding and ability (along with, of course a lack of artistic training of any kind.) I'm basically a mechanic and technical person at heart, and the various cameras, lenses, processes (with the exception of lighting, which I don't completely understand or perhaps I don't fully appreciate its full power) are things that I do enjoy and have at least a functional level of comfort with. So while I seem to be able to make pictures that are technically OK... focus, depth of field, exposure, wide enough or narrow enough angle to be able to include that which I originally intend to photograph, I still feel that something is lacking beyond all that.
I've managed to make a few photos, maybe, that say "wow!", but I do believe that the outcome and the process leading up to it were subconscious and / or unintentional more than rational, conscious, planned and controlled. Perhaps this would be described as "having a good eye," and has been mentioned to me by some, but it's frustrating not to be able to control, manipulate or predict it at least some of the time... all of which goes somewhat against my "mechanical" nature.
At times when I just "let myself go" and wander, or just crawl into a situation and see what happens... i.e. just let things happen and (perhaps) appeal to my subconscious rather than my conscious... at these times I seem to come up with "better" photos. At least it seems so to me a significant amount of the time.
So take your pick... either my Achilles heel is the fact that I exist almost totally outside the "art" world and thus don't understand it or participate in its nuances, or maybe it's that I get too tightly wound and purpose- directed and just need to "let myself go" more often....
You've got me thinking, anyway...
andrewteee
Established
I read something similar in a book called Practice about a guy who grew up as a classical guitar player then eventually burned out. His timeline was 14,000 to be a concert guitarist and 10,000 to be really, really good. He gave up because as a concert guitarist when he was not playing on stage he was practicing and it was not fun anymore. He did not touch a guitar for 30 years.
Funny thing is, with photography it feels to me like 10,000 would fly by since it is such an in-the- zone activity for me. Not that the pictures are any good, but the activity itself is part of the pleasure.
ElectroWNED
Well-known
too little money to buy the newest gear-- that's all
_larky
Well-known
For me I need to leave more time between taking a photograph and looking at it. I'm now trying to build up 2-3 months worth of work without looking at it much, or at all. The act of distancing yourself I think greatly increases your ability to admit a photo you hoped would be great, is actually not.
Ken Smith
Why yes Ma'am - it folds
That describes me, Ken. Photography is like fly casting. I can do it, but not good at it. I know what I'm supposed to do, and understand the techniques and technology. My photos are like open big, loops in my line.
Ah - fly casting. Which is exactly why this Son of Texas retired from the USAF while stationed in Montana. Flyfishing is another one of those loves I no longer have so much time for either. And I live 30 min from the glory stretch of the Missouri River and a host of mountain streams loaded with specked jewels. My problem is that besides open loops and tailing loops, my photos also have wind knots.
I suppose like a lot of things in life, a good casting technique and putting the minds's eye on film is a perishable skill if one does not exercise it enough.
I agree completely. I leave everything I think is worth viewing in lightroom for weeks, months, and years before ever showing it. It's the only way to be sure...and then I still am not sure.
presspass
filmshooter
Part psychological and part physical. I worry too much about not being able to see as well as I once did rather than using what I can to make the photographs I should.
cjbecker
Established
My ability with people.
matt352
Established
Self confidence; A darkroom to print in; money.
hteasley
Pupil
Foundation year drawing in art school, Jim Hennessey told the class on day one, "You have 10,000 bad drawings in you. My job is to get them out as quickly as possible."
Since I became a parent, and have watched our 2nd daughter really go in for art, I've come to the conclusion that there is natural talent is nearly non-existent, it's desire that gets things going. Desire leads to spending time doing it, and with kids, they spend a *lot* more time doing those things than they'll ever remember, so when they're adults, it seems like they were just gifted. Mona has already filled more sketchbooks than I ever have, but she probably doesn't remember 3/4 of them.