Any ideas to keep me shooting every day?

[imagemaker46]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. The only thing I am still trying to figure out with aperture is depth of field and it's relation to the focal length and subject distance. I still have some sharpness issues when it comes to that, though I understand it in theory. I like going out and shooting. It's just where I live is kind of boring. It's an apartment complex and most of the scenery looks the same. Outside is all grass and houses. I guess I'll just have to get creative. I did stumble on a website that recommended some various things to shoot, so I think I'll mess around with that. I also am thinking about getting up earlier before work and going out instead of getting that extra hour or two of sleep.

Why not look into some night school courses in photography, it may help you understand how your camera works, also may give you some ideas on subjects to shoot from other people in the classes

 

[kathyt]

I can find 50 things at any given time to take a picture of. Find one cool thing and get every single angle you can possible think of. Use a ladder if you have to.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Ideas to shoot every day? Don't expect to but keep your camera close and ready as often as you can and you probably will at least to start.

I'm still pretty new to photography, just over a year under my belt. From the day I bought my camera it has been by my side 90% of the time and a good number of shots that I take are inside my home. Being in an apartment isn't an excuse for not having anything to shoot

We stop really "seeing" our surroundings and items we use on a daily basis once we are familiar with them, our brain kinda fills in the details. I know it's chiche but stop and look around, change your perspective on things, get down low, get up high, get close, get really really close, get far, look for lines, light, shadow, colour, shapes, repeating patterns, textures....it is seriously all around you.

There are lots of household items that are fun to shoot and water drops are a great way to learn DOF and focus.

The best way to learn is to click

 

[Derrel]

Maybe you do not need to shoot "every day", but instead, make your shooting sessions all count. What I mean is, let's say there is a method or technique you wish to become more proficient at. Read up on the how and the why regarding that method, then make some notes for yourself, and then when the chance comes up to practice and learn, then shoot. For example, let's say you want to learn how to shoot fill-in flash in that bright Texas sunlight. Well...read some articles on exactly how it's supposed to be done. Make sure you understand the concepts. Then, drag out the gear and go and shoot some bright sunlight fill-flash shots. After the session, bring the images into your computer and really,really,really LOOK at them,and go over the results. See what you like. See where you succeeded or failed. Analyze the session.

This is targeted learning; acquiring a specific area that needs improvement, and working specifically on that area. One session like this every two weekends would probably be better than a nightly, willy-nilly, un-directed shooting foray out behind the complex, you know?

Have a specific lens you want to learn to master? Well...same thing.

 

[TCampbell]

Have a kid.

Then when said kid is no longer cute

Have another.


<< that's what I did.

I can just hear you explaining this to your kid when they're older "Well Susie... the reason we brought you into this world was because I needed a subject for photography and I couldn't find one."

 

[manaheim]

I'm still pretty new to photography, just over a year under my belt.

Topping the list of sobering and humbling things I've read in my lifetime...

 

[Alby144]

Dude, you live in Austin! You have a world of art and musical venues at your dispose, get out and experience what you have around you. You have a large natural area to go to. Look around you and see what there is to see!

I keep my camera in my truck much of the time and it seems I miss out when I don't have it. I'm not a pro, I'm not out every day looking for that perfect scene to shoot, but if I am out and about (or even around the house) I like to have me camera near by. I was fly fishing the Carson River a couple of years ago, a beautiful sunset scene was beginning to unfold around me. I quickly reeled in and started running to my truck which was a couple hundred yards away. I got my camera and started shooting. I have some awesome pics from that little shoot! One day I was out with a friend, scouting out my deer hunting area; driving along a dirt road I spotted a flower alongside the road that I'd never seen the likes of before. I stopped my truck, got out with my camera and ran back to the flower and started taking pics of it! My friend is like, "What are you doing?" I told him I was taking photos of the flower! He thought I was nuts...oh well! For me photography is all about the little scenes around me...you don't really have to look very hard to find interesting things to shoot and you certainly don't have to be doing it every day.

 

[480sparky41 40]

Every Friday night for the past 15 years or so, I've treated myself to dinner out. This year, I'm adding a little something to that trip to the restaurant.

While I'm waiting, I'll browse a website that lists all the activities in my area. I'll check to see what's going on Saturday and Sunday. If there's something that catches my eye, like a classic auto rally or an air show, I'll make plans to get there. If nothing tickles my fancy, I'll find a local state or county park and take a hike.

 

[Alby144]

You are only limited by what you limit yourself to!

 

[PixelRabbit]

I'm still pretty new to photography, just over a year under my belt.

Topping the list of sobering and humbling things I've read in my lifetime...

:blushing:

:hugs:

 

[IByte]

x &infin;

I've told people this same thing countless times, and they just don't understand it at first. Then when they go out and try it, the light bulb comes on.

Electrician me thinks? Oo

 

[12sndsgood]

look into local photography clubs. look into Model mayhem for people to photograph. search for modeling/photography groups on facebook in your town to get in touch with local models.

Shooting just to be shooting will burn you out quickly. go out and shoot what you enjoy when you want to.

 

[bsinmich]

All I can say is, If you confine yourself to your girlfriend and self portraits you are not getting any paying customers. Volunteer with a local wedding photographer and learn some of the tips. You will need a lot of experience and practice to start on your own.

 

[Josh66]

It's just where I live is kind of boring.

Dude, you live in the coolest city in Texas, lol. There are things to shoot. But, like I said before, taking a day off is not a crime.


It might not be right outside your door, you might have to drive a little bit, but trust me - there are a lot of things to shoot very close to you.

 

[KrisztinaK]

I can relate to what you've posted. The same thing kinda happened to me, a mini slump of sorts.

I created a weekly theme challenge for myself to get me out and shooting more this year. Each week I do my best to take a (hopefully great) shot of whatever my theme is ... I don't always get a great one but it keeps me focused. During the winter most of my shots were taken inside my home, and rarely did they include a living subject. I had to find something to shoot and it really helped me to look at so many things around me as photo subjects which I would have previously overlooked or disregarded altogether.

Maybe something similar would work for you as well.