Compaq
Been spending a lot of time on here!
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2010
- Messages
- 3,400
- Reaction score
- 657
- Location
- Norway
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
My question is mainly aimed at amateurs, that is, not those who take on paid jobs or sessions.
I am still a noob learning, and have these thematic periods: lately I've been taking trying to capture ducks and seagulls. Earlier, around Christmas, I was in a sunset mode. I go out, in average, around 1 time a week? Sometimes less, sometimes more.
Also, when do you consider yourself a photographer? When do you consider your photos "your work"? When you get paid? When you've decided on a few niches? When people, either on here or in real life, mention your photos? I feel like a guy with a camera, that tries to learn. Lately I've been wanting to plan my next investments, even if they are years into the future. The only difference between me using my camera and my brother using my camera, is that I try to think about the lighting, background, composition, shutter speeds, aperture, iso values, landscape or portrait oriented, lines, textures, perspectives etc etc. That doesn't make me a photographer, in my opinion. Anyone can consider those elements. Also, I find it hard to critique my own photos, and tend to like those that you gents and ladies complement on here, and tend to dislike those that receive bad (helpful) criticism. That might not be ideal, as you all see different things, and people develop different styles. However, I look at myself still in the learning stage, trying to grasp the basics of good photography, and have not yet developed my own style, and not really fallen down on a field in photography. I am extremely fond of the nature (like a true Norwegian should be), and would like to try and capture it. I come from a mountainous and fjordous (is that a word? auto-correct says no) place that has great possibilities. Also, I'm an animal lover (in a normal way, that is), and would like to try and capture some birds and stuff, but I'm not as set on this as landscapes. Sunsets intrigue me, I simply love those. Also, I've been fooling around with my siblings at home, taking some bad, amateur "portraits" of them doing weird stuff. If I had proper lighting, perhaps a sheet or something as a neutral background (and not our furniture) they could prove to be very nice portraits; which means they lack everything except the poses LOL!
So, I've been talking about investments with my family, and they seem to believe that $1300 is "too much for you to spend on this, especially as you might not stick with it". I see their arguments, but I am feeling very limited by my 50mm prime. I need a tripod, but not a cheap one that won't be usable out in the nature. I really want an ultra wide angle lens (tokina 11-16 f/2.8) for taking some vast landscapes. Also, I don't feel I reach very long with the 50mm, and would therefore like a telezoom, maybe a 70-200 mm.
However, I've always been afraid to spend money. I always think before buying something expensive: "Do I really need this. Am I going to use it?" I don't have much money to begin with, and this can prove to be expensive. Also, all ultra wide angle lenses for APS-C sensor cameras cost roughly the same, $200 doesn't really matter to me. If I'm spending 450, I could also spend 600 if it gives me a superior lens.
This sort of snowballed on me, it wasn't supposed to be this much to read. If you've read everything, well, then I thank you for your attention
Perhaps someone has any deep, existential insights to come with based on life long reflections of their own photographic career? If you could start from scratch again, how would you go about (based on your knowledge today, ofc)?
Regards,
Compaq (who just has had an exam in examen philosophicum)
I am still a noob learning, and have these thematic periods: lately I've been taking trying to capture ducks and seagulls. Earlier, around Christmas, I was in a sunset mode. I go out, in average, around 1 time a week? Sometimes less, sometimes more.
Also, when do you consider yourself a photographer? When do you consider your photos "your work"? When you get paid? When you've decided on a few niches? When people, either on here or in real life, mention your photos? I feel like a guy with a camera, that tries to learn. Lately I've been wanting to plan my next investments, even if they are years into the future. The only difference between me using my camera and my brother using my camera, is that I try to think about the lighting, background, composition, shutter speeds, aperture, iso values, landscape or portrait oriented, lines, textures, perspectives etc etc. That doesn't make me a photographer, in my opinion. Anyone can consider those elements. Also, I find it hard to critique my own photos, and tend to like those that you gents and ladies complement on here, and tend to dislike those that receive bad (helpful) criticism. That might not be ideal, as you all see different things, and people develop different styles. However, I look at myself still in the learning stage, trying to grasp the basics of good photography, and have not yet developed my own style, and not really fallen down on a field in photography. I am extremely fond of the nature (like a true Norwegian should be), and would like to try and capture it. I come from a mountainous and fjordous (is that a word? auto-correct says no) place that has great possibilities. Also, I'm an animal lover (in a normal way, that is), and would like to try and capture some birds and stuff, but I'm not as set on this as landscapes. Sunsets intrigue me, I simply love those. Also, I've been fooling around with my siblings at home, taking some bad, amateur "portraits" of them doing weird stuff. If I had proper lighting, perhaps a sheet or something as a neutral background (and not our furniture) they could prove to be very nice portraits; which means they lack everything except the poses LOL!
So, I've been talking about investments with my family, and they seem to believe that $1300 is "too much for you to spend on this, especially as you might not stick with it". I see their arguments, but I am feeling very limited by my 50mm prime. I need a tripod, but not a cheap one that won't be usable out in the nature. I really want an ultra wide angle lens (tokina 11-16 f/2.8) for taking some vast landscapes. Also, I don't feel I reach very long with the 50mm, and would therefore like a telezoom, maybe a 70-200 mm.
However, I've always been afraid to spend money. I always think before buying something expensive: "Do I really need this. Am I going to use it?" I don't have much money to begin with, and this can prove to be expensive. Also, all ultra wide angle lenses for APS-C sensor cameras cost roughly the same, $200 doesn't really matter to me. If I'm spending 450, I could also spend 600 if it gives me a superior lens.
This sort of snowballed on me, it wasn't supposed to be this much to read. If you've read everything, well, then I thank you for your attention
Perhaps someone has any deep, existential insights to come with based on life long reflections of their own photographic career? If you could start from scratch again, how would you go about (based on your knowledge today, ofc)?
Regards,
Compaq (who just has had an exam in examen philosophicum)