Feeling intimidated/inferior

[imagemaker46]

You don't sound like you are in a very positive place in life right now. There are a lot of members on this forum that just read what is being said but never add comments, you shouldn't feel like you don't contribute to anything, just by reading the comments says that you are. We all get down on ourselves, it's how we get ourselves back up that makes the difference. Don't worry about it, just enjoy being a part of this forum.

 

[MK3Brent]

Don't worry, it's just as lonely at the top.

 

[DarkShadow]

My photo's are not great either but lack of experience makes a difference.As another poster stated practice practice practice.I would Just think of it this way, does a professional athlete become a professional with out practice,I think not. Talent also comes to play but even then they suck at times.Everything in do time with practice and technique.Don't worry about having entry level as there capable of outstanding results as well,but I will say at least one very good optical lens is way more important then the body.

 

[Lmphotos]

Practice! every shoot I do I get a little bit better! Get on the internet it is free! Start reading about light and composition.

 

[DarkShadow]

One thing I am looking at after every shot is my histogram and still learning how to read it.

 

[TMC]

Stick with it man, I was here months reading and reading before I made my 1st post. Even now I still feel the way you do sometimes but I just try to give my personal opinion on subjects that I feel i may have some knowledge in. Someone new pics up a camera everyday and they could learn from you what you just learned from someone else the day before. When i look back at when I 1st got my DSLR just about a year ago I am amazed at how much knowledge I have already acquired, mostly from the great people of this forum. And when I see some of the pics that I can only hope to achieve someday I am grateful that I have all this knowledge at my finger tips to help me get there.

 

[JacaRanda]

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.

I agree with this along with what Amolitor and others have said.

Read read read until you feel comfortable enough to add whatever the heck you feel like adding (as long as you abide by the forum rules).

BTW most of these people scare me :Joker:

 

[jwbryson1]

My first post in this forum I thought was genius! My kid in black and white. I was so proud to post it and wait to be lauded for my genius. Guess what?! It never happened. I was told my photo "sucked" and Bitter commented "another NewB bites the dust." So I got all uppity and posted some crap about the criticizer being touched inappropriately by his dad or some such nonsense. I got smacked around a bit for that, but then I came around and it's been 2 years and here I am. I'm also a much better photographer because of this website.

Lesson? Don't worry about equipment or attitudes. Shoot your best photos, post them here for HONEST critique, get THICK skin and learn and grow. Come back in 1 year and tell me your images are not MUCH better....

Just my $0.02.

EDIT: Now, quit your whining and dive back into the mosh pit!

 

[jowensphoto]

We all started somewhere! This forum is a great place to learn; I came in thinking I knew it all after working at a portrait "studio". I knew nothing and I still don't know half of it, but this is the place to learn.

dont get discouraged. Never stop trying to get better, even when you get frustrated with your current abilities. Chances are someone has been in the same position.

 

[CherylL]

You aren't the only fish out of water. Eight months ago I didn't understand f stop or ISO or aperture. I am more comfortable with a virtual camera flying thru Z space. But, ask a few questions and learn. Reading the critiques helps too and googling phrases in the responses and clicking on all the darn links posted.

 

[e.rose]

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.

Love, when I first picked up a camera 3 years ago, I didn't know anything about anything, and I was in the same position as you. I felt like EVERYONE knew more than I did... and for the most part... that was probably true.

But what you gotta do is keep pushing and keep working. Keep shooting and keep learning.

Post stuff for critique and take all critique with grace, even if someone says something you disagree with.

Take that critique... apply it... shoot more... get better.

It's a learning process.

It's like anything else in life. There was a time I didn't know how to drive... I had to learn. I didn't know how to use a computer... I had to learn. I didn't know how to cook... um... yeah I'm still learning that one.

There's always going to be someone better than you, and someone worse than you. Don't concentrate at how well everyone else is doing, rather focus that energy on yourself and getting better. :sillysmi: :hug::

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OH... and about struggling to afford a DSLR...

I was on this forum, learning and asking questions for about 2 or 3 months before I even BOUGHT my first DSLR, because I too, couldn't afford one right away.

 

[gsgary]

Pick one subject master that before going on to another

 

[ratssass]

...if nothing else,I now know that I know less than what I think I did know....but it helps me form my questions a little bit better.. :raisedbrow::raisedbrow:

 

[Ilovemycam]

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.

Some do have knowldge, but their pix are boring. Knowledge must be blended with heart.

 

[manaheim]

I've learned almost everything I know from TPF. I sucked horribly and knew nothing when I started. I'm no mish, pixel rabbit, rotinimod, Erose or invisible... But I suck a hell of a lot less than I did.

Stick around. Ask, try, post, listen, learn. You'll get there.