Feeling intimidated/inferior

[nonamexx]

I feel like I am a fish out of water in this forum and feel like I cannot contribute anything useful to a photography discussion.

Almost everybody seems to have better knowledge of photography than me.
Everybody seems to have better equipment and tools of the trade while I struggle to afford an entry-level DSLR.
Most people here have much better photographs than I can imagine taking.

I'm sorry if I offended anybody with my lack of knowledge and suggestions.

 

[ZimPhoto]

I feel like I am a fish out of water in this forum and feel like I cannot contribute anything useful to a photography discussion.

Almost everybody seems to have better knowledge of photography than me.
Everybody seems to have better equipment and tools of the trade while I struggle to afford an entry-level DSLR.
Most people here have much better photographs than I can imagine taking.

I'm sorry if I offended anybody with my lack of knowledge and suggestions.

I think many if us here are looking to get better. Practice, practice, practice.
I'm giving myself 20 yrs to improve. If my photography isn't any better by the time I retire, I'll be looking for a new hobby then.

 

[Derrel]

I'm giving myself 20 yrs to improve. If my photography isn't any better by the time I retire, I'll be looking for a new hobby then.

You know, expanding upon that thought...the fishing author Jed Davis noted in one of his books that, "Imagine this scenario: if you can manage to improve your skill level just ten percent in a year; after a decade, you'll be 100 percent better, and a true expert."

Food for thought.

 

[mishele]

Almost everybody seems to have better knowledge of photography than me.
Everybody seems to have better equipment and tools of the trade while I struggle to afford an entry-level DSLR.
Most people here have much better photographs than I can imagine taking.

I'm sorry if I offended anybody with my lack of knowledge and suggestions.

Sounds like you need a better mindset, friend!! Start looking at things in a more positive way. There are a ton of people here that might take better pictures or have more knowledge than you, but that's a good thing!! You can learn from these people!! Change the title of your thread to Determined/Inspired!!
As far as gear...there is always someone that's going to have better stuff. Take what you have and do what you can. Or, go get a second job.
Now, go get em tiger!! lol

 

[amolitor]

You can always say "I like that", "I don't like that", you can ask questions, you can ask followup questions, and you can share your own experiences. You don't need to be at any "skill level" at all for that.

Also, there's ALWAYS someone who knows less than you (although they may pretend otherwise) and there is ALWAYS someone who knows more than you (although they may not admit it).

 

[faktisk]

There will always be people that is better when it comes to taking pictures. A smart thing to do is not buy alot of equipment to begin with. Buy one thing, master it, and then continue. I was one of the stupid ones who bought alot of stuff to begin with, and had a long and bumpy road to where I am today.

The reason with forums like this, is to seek knowledge and to ask people about advice, and to take another step when it comes to taking better pictures.

Practise makes master, and Rome was not built in one day.

 

[rlemert]

ALL of the people on this forum started their photography careers with the same knowledge and experience - i.e. NONE. They, too, were most likely intimidated by all the choices they had to make and all of the things they had to learn. They all picked up one item here, another there, and eventually they had some idea of what they were doing.

Remember, you started out with no knowledge of how to write - but look at what you can do now.

 

[OLaA]

I think you're looking at it the wrong way. I personally wouldn't want to be on a forum where i knew more than everyone. Who would you learn from? For every contributing member that has more skill than you don't view it as intimidation but opportunity to learn something new.

 

[MiFleur]

Just reading critique and comments will teach you quite a bit, I like this forum because people are straight forward, You want to know something, just ask and you will. As others have said, if you can focus on what you can learn rather than on what you don't have, it will make your time more enjoyable. If people are offended, it belongs to them, don't worry, be happy!

 

[amolitor]

I'm giving myself 20 yrs to improve. If my photography isn't any better by the time I retire, I'll be looking for a new hobby then.

You know, expanding upon that thought...the fishing author Jed Davis noted in one of his books that, "Imagine this scenario: if you can manage to improve your skill level just ten percent in a year; after a decade, you'll be 100 percent better, and a true expert."

Food for thought.

Jed Davis may have been a master fisherman, but it's clear that compound interest was a concept that eluded him

 

[runnah]

I feel like I am a fish out of water in this forum and feel like I cannot contribute anything useful to a photography discussion.

Almost everybody seems to have better knowledge of photography than me.
Everybody seems to have better equipment and tools of the trade while I struggle to afford an entry-level DSLR.
Most people here have much better photographs than I can imagine taking.

I'm sorry if I offended anybody with my lack of knowledge and suggestions.

Do what I do and use humor and arrogance to cover your lack of knowledge in even the most basic aspects of photography.

 

[sm4him]

Heck, I've been doing photography for 35+ years, and most of the people here are better than me!! It doesn't stop me--as Mishele said, I just try to use that as inspiration and motivation to keep improving.

Or I blame my vision problems. Or my hand tremors. :lmao:

As for the gear--I have no idea how old you are, but I just bought my first DSLR in late 2011, at age 50. I'd been saving for it for YEARS before I was finally able to afford it--as a single mom, there was just never even $1 in "extra" money. I was fortunate enough to be able to turn around and upgrade late last year to my current D7000, which I plan to keep until it wears out! Adding lenses is STILL a long, slow process for me though. But you just start with what you have, and aim to learn all you can and take the very best shots you can with that. Then, as you upgrade equipment, the learning curve won't be quite as steep.

Don't be afraid to post a picture or two here and ask for help improving. Just be willing to LISTEN to the C&C, especially when it's given by someone whose photos you admire!

 

[Rick58]

All very good thoughts. I checked again and nowhere does it say "THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTO FORUM"
Beautiful photos can be made with even an entry level DSLR. You just have to know (or learn) what your equipment can, and can not do and stay within those limits.
Like amolitor said above, just look at a photo and tell us how it makes you feel. You don't have to be an art critic to know if YOU like a photo.

Hang in there!

 

[HughGuessWho]

My friend, I have been into photography for many, many years and still feel intimidated and inferior around some on this forum. But that's the fun of it to me. There is a lot to learn and explore and try. That keeps me interested. Don't let it get you down, instead let it motivate you to improve.

 

[otherprof]

It is just because so many people here have such great knowledge and experience to share that I come back every day. Come sit in the back row with me and see how much you can learn without participating much.