How often do you shoot/practice?

[MWC2]

I'm just wondering how often everyone shoots? when you do shoot do you try to work on mastering a certain concept?

Myself, I try to shoot once a day for myself. Be it my kids, flowers, the dogs, something. Currently I'm working on my SOOC images, trying to get them to be as spot on for exposure, focus, etc as possible.

 

[JWellman]

Currently, since I'm doing the 365-Day Project, I shoot daily. It has really forced me in a new direction. I wonder once the project is finished how often I'll pick the camera up? Perhaps I should do 365 times two!

Heaven forbid

 

[imagemaker46]

I shoot when I'm hired to shoot, apart from that I play around once or twice a week.

 

[EPPhoto]

I shoot when I'm hired to shoot, apart from that I play around once or twice a week.

I'm in the same boat

Sent from Erics iPhone! (2) Nikon D300 50mm 1.4, 17-55 2.8, 70-200 2.8VRII, 24-70 2.8, 85mm 1.4, (2) SB900

 

[Sw1tchFX]

I shoot when I'm hired to shoot, apart from that I play around once or twice a week.

Sounds about right for me.

 

[Photo Lady]

i try to shoot every day... something... even if the something is the same things i have shot many times... theres always that special one that may pop.

 

[pgriz]

I think I would consider myself an advanced amateur – very solid in some types of photography, woefully lacking in others, and kinda ok on a few more. Photography is like any skill which requires eye-hand coordination, and some thinking through of what you’re trying to achieve. I’ve made up a list of sorts of stuff I don’t do very well and need to practice. In my case, it’s portrait lighting, studio lighting, capturing the moment during action, controlling DOF in macros, macro lighting again, working with flash modifiers… and so on.

For each topic, I try to find references, sample photos that illustrate the concepts, and other information that may help me figure out a systematic approach to that topic. Then I try to set up a series of shots to explore the topic and get a feel for which variables affect the image. After this, I upload the series into the computer and review each one both from a technical and esthetic point of view. How well did I get the exposure? Where’s my focus point, and is the DOF appropriate? What does the histogram look like? How’s the composition ? etc.

After a careful scrutiny of the images, I’d do a second round of shots on the same topic, now incorporating the critique I just did above. Again, upload and scrutinize. If I’m starting to “get” it, there’s an improvement from the early series to the later one. In any case, I’ll take notes about what I think I need to work on more, or where I just don’t get something. That gets added to the list.

I have posted before the results on such experiments, one on portrait lighting, another on macro lighting.

I’m also a member of a photography club, and we try to meet at least once a week to critique each others’ photos, get pointers from the more experienced members, and generally help each other figure out things that we want to know more about.

The other reality for me is that I have very little time available to do this stuff, as I have parental responsibilities (both for my kids and for my senior parents), business demands that pop up outside of “regular office hours”, volunteer committee obligations, fitness sessions, and extended family tasks. So, some weeks, I might get in a night of shooting, others I may not get a chance for days. Eh, life is.

 

[ultimadrift]

I bring my film camera everywhere! Much smaller and lighter than my DSLR

 

[Rebekah5280]

I shoot anywhere from 3-15 times weekly. Mostly focusing on mine, and my sisters kids. I go into each "session" with a plan of what I want to acheive (right now its shooting on a white background and having it come out looking white instead of a dingy white). I self-critique, and post pictures here to get feedback, then I try again.

I also read A LOT!!

 

[Terry Leach]

I got "the fever" about 2 1/2 or 3 years ago. I shoot something everyday. When I am not shooting something, I find myself sitting at my other job (selling cars) thinking about different exposures, compositions, ect of the next planned project.

 

[kundalini]

I do something photography related almost every day. I don't have to or want to shoot every day.

If you shoot something every day, when do you take time to read, research, conceptualize, teach, edit, organize, network, blah, blah, blah in your photographic hobby?

 

[Rebekah5280]

I got "the fever" about 2 1/2 or 3 years ago. I shoot something everyday. When I am not shooting something, I find myself sitting at my other job (selling cars) thinking about different exposures, compositions, ect of the next planned project.

So funny! I no longer see things the way I used to! I see the light bouncing off my kids faces, or when I'm down on the floor playing with my baby I see things from a different perspective and think of how to capture it with my camera. I find myself looking for pictures all day, every day. I love photography, its full of endless possibilities!

 

[ariel_]

I shoot about 3 times a week. I try not to use my flash that much. I'm always playing around with different apertures and shutter speeds.

 

[MWG]

As much as possible.

As of right now, I also find myself seeking knowledge on light/flash photography.

Fun stuff.

 

[ImNick]

Currently, since I'm doing the 365-Day Project, I shoot daily. It has really forced me in a new direction. I wonder once the project is finished how often I'll pick the camera up? Perhaps I should do 365 times two!

Heaven forbid

same team.