I suck at photography.

[astroNikon]

try different perspectives.
try not to take a photo at the same angle that everyone else would take.

 

[nerwin]

try different perspectives.
try not to take a photo at the same angle that everyone else would take.

That's what I've been trying to do lately.

I usually go for quick 2-3 mile afternoon hikes as part of my exercise program and earlier this week I decided to bring along my DSLR with the 16-35 which was actually quite comfortable carrying with the peak design slide strap. Didn't have any fatigue.

He's a couple shots I took, I know..they are a bit cliche. Haha.

 

[KenC]

I like photographing everything...that's what makes it so difficult. What is exactly wrong with photographing all sorts of subjects?

Nothing, you should explore a lot of things, but it's also very worthwhile to spend some time pursuing something that particularly interests you. Working to get the most out of one kind of photo can teach you a lot.

 

[nerwin]

I like photographing everything...that's what makes it so difficult. What is exactly wrong with photographing all sorts of subjects?

Nothing, you should explore a lot of things, but it's also very worthwhile to spend some time pursuing something that particularly interests you. Working to get the most out of one kind of photo can teach you a lot.

A lot of subjects interests me though haha.

 

[smoke665]

"Every worthwhile artist experiences this regularly in their life. This is how they grow and improve. If you don't feel this way, then that is when your work is meaningless and without impact. Technical skill only comes with time and the repeated process of pushing yourself to grow."

Smart instructor!!!

 

[vintagesnaps]

So what's wrong with those?? Just take it a step further... with the first one, next time you pass there take some shots with different apertures and try it with a little more depth of field; take the shot from a slightly different vantage point, scrunch down a little; think about what's in the frame when you're framing the shot, how much of the scene do you want in your picture?

I was thinking like Jason, maybe stop trying so hard and try another hobby too, so you can take breaks from the camera and feel refreshed when you come back to it. Or maybe even another photography related hobby... try shooting with a pinhole cap or camera, or whatever... the most fun cameras I've used are my Pop 9 film camera and my Lego digital. Or try an alternate process, try doing some sun prints or something.

And maybe try to find some resources for people with learning disabilities on how to use the camera. Surely there are other people out there with a similar diagnosis who do photography and you could share experiences and what people have found that works for them.

 

[nerwin]

So what's wrong with those?? Just take it a step further... with the first one, next time you pass there take some shots with different apertures and try it with a little more depth of field; take the shot from a slightly different vantage point, scrunch down a little; think about what's in the frame when you're framing the shot, how much of the scene do you want in your picture?

I was thinking like Jason, maybe stop trying so hard and try another hobby too, so you can take breaks from the camera and feel refreshed when you come back to it. Or maybe even another photography related hobby... try shooting with a pinhole cap or camera, or whatever... the most fun cameras I've used are my Pop 9 film camera and my Lego digital. Or try an alternate process, try doing some sun prints or something.

And maybe try to find some resources for people with learning disabilities on how to use the camera. Surely there are other people out there with a similar diagnosis who do photography and you could share experiences and what people have found that works for them.

I have several different shots I took of all sorts of angles and DOF, these were just the one that appealed to me the most.

I've really been thinking about getting one of those new Fuji Instax cameras, but I thought they were mainly for hipsters so I've kind of passed on it. lol

Just because I have a learning disability, doesn't mean I don't know how to use a camera.

 

[nzmacro]

try different perspectives.
try not to take a photo at the same angle that everyone else would take.

That's what I've been trying to do lately.

I usually go for quick 2-3 mile afternoon hikes as part of my exercise program and earlier this week I decided to bring along my DSLR with the 16-35 which was actually quite comfortable carrying with the peak design slide strap. Didn't have any fatigue.

He's a couple shots I took, I know..they are a bit cliche. Haha.

View attachment 127641

View attachment 127642

Ha

I find it kind of funny in a way. With those two shots, there is nothing wrong from my point of view. The thing is, I couldn't take them for a start. I don't own the lenses for one thing (anything shorter than 300mm is ultra wide angle for me) and my mind just doesn't think like that. I just don't see things like that and doubt I could take shots like that with the way my mind works. However, still love seeing images like that just the same. Same as seeing architecture, some street shots, landscapes, etc, etc.

So we are all different ....... thank goodness, so be grateful for the way you do see. Sometimes I wish I could take shots like that, but not to sweat too much about it.

All the best and yep, keep shooting. Never stop.

Danny.

 

[The_Traveler]

When you look at those other person's photos, what about them is better?
What are they doing that you can't do?

1) Shoot;
2) Shoot again; and
3) At the end of the day when you think you're done, shoot some more.

Photography is a lot (?) of things, one of which is craft. Like any craft, one will/should get better over time as you build up your skills through experience.

Craft is meaningless if you don't understand where your work is falling short in your own estimation.
I looked at your Flickr photostream, and without comparing you to anyone else, your exposure and sharpness and use of DOF is fine, so as far as the very basic craft is concerned, you're good.
Where I think you really fall down is composition and some emotional involvement in the subject.
IMO, your images are emotionally flat, they are just pictures of what was in the frame.
The subjects are just there.

Except, every once in a while, a really great image pops out.
Like this one.

You obviously had to see that, and think there was something beautiful about that scene and you captured it.
Too many others are just, meh, it's here and I should take a picture.
What is it about this shot that is so great?

There is that beautiful misty mysterious morning and then that little patch of snow just sets the scene and tells the viewer so much about the shot.
Too many others, you see something interesting but don't take the time to figure out what is really new and interesting to show the viewer.
Yes, that is a red car, nice paint job but what is really interesting is that the car is transformed in the reflection. All the rest of the stuff is extra. We've seen a million old cars with great paint jobs. What is there about this that makes it stand out.
Crappy photography is easy. See something and snap the picture, the camera does 95% of the work.

What's hard is making some new and interesting out of the mundane and capturing that.
And Gary is totally right, no lens or camera will do the work.

 

[robbins.photo]

I've really been thinking about getting one of those new Fuji Instax cameras, but I thought they were mainly for hipsters so I've kind of passed on it. lol

Just because I have a learning disability, doesn't mean I don't know how to use a camera.

Ok, so this is pretty much where I'm at - I see you posting a lot about buying this new camera or that new lens, etc. My recommendation is you stop that, completely.. at least for now.

I realize their is a certain amount of wow factor to new gear.. but I think you'd be much better off focusing on the gear you currently have and learning it inside and out first. If you buy another camera, well then you have to learn it... then you get tired of it and sell it and buy something else, so you keep taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back.

So if you want my honest recommendation - forget about the camera, and work on just photography. Work on getting the shots you want with the gear you have. You've got some extremely capable gear already. Use it and learn it inside and out before you get anything else.

Just my 2 cents worth of course.

 

[The_Traveler]

Look at Peter Turnley's work, particularly this essay. Moments of the Human Condition

He works until the image is right and every one of these is wonderful.
And the craft is there but it is invisible because the emotional impact of teh content is so great.

 

[nerwin]

I've really been thinking about getting one of those new Fuji Instax cameras, but I thought they were mainly for hipsters so I've kind of passed on it. lol

Just because I have a learning disability, doesn't mean I don't know how to use a camera.

Ok, so this is pretty much where I'm at - I see you posting a lot about buying this new camera or that new lens, etc. My recommendation is you stop that, completely.. at least for now.

I realize their is a certain amount of wow factor to new gear.. but I think you'd be much better off focusing on the gear you currently have and learning it inside and out first. If you buy another camera, well then you have to learn it... then you get tired of it and sell it and buy something else, so you keep taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back.

So if you want my honest recommendation - forget about the camera, and work on just photography. Work on getting the shots you want with the gear you have. You've got some extremely capable gear already. Use it and learn it inside and out before you get anything else.

Just my 2 cents worth of course.

I really need to pickup a flash though, I was getting good at using speedlights then I sold it because an unrelated problem. I still have stands for them and what not lol.

 

[Gary A.]

Thanks everyone for all your help, I really do appreciate it.

I guess one of the best things I can do is just keep pressing that shutter button, try new things and not to overthink it and just take my time.

I know a few mentioned I should focus on one subject, but I like photographing everything...that's what makes it so difficult. What is exactly wrong with photographing all sorts of subjects?

Nothing at all.

But if in post you see something you want to shoot in a different way, often it is hard to recreate that scene. I walk the dog about three miles every day, through the same parks and about the same time. I always have a camera with me. I always look for something to shoot. If in post I see something I think I can improve ... the next day I can easily be back at the same spot. Sometime I'll take a long lens, other times a macro but mostly I take a 50mm on a FF or a 32mm on a crop. I work at creativity, angles and lighting. Focusing my eyes to see something interesting that 99% of the people won't see and walk on by.

For starters try walking around your neighborhood. A PAD thing. You're lucky to have seasons with radically changing environment. I'm stuck with much of the same all year round. Besides, the daily stroll couldn't hurt.

 

[nerwin]

Thanks everyone for all your help, I really do appreciate it.

I guess one of the best things I can do is just keep pressing that shutter button, try new things and not to overthink it and just take my time.

I know a few mentioned I should focus on one subject, but I like photographing everything...that's what makes it so difficult. What is exactly wrong with photographing all sorts of subjects?

Nothing at all.

But if in post you see something you want to shoot in a different way, often it is hard to recreate that scene. I walk the dog about three miles every day, through the same parks and about the same time. I always have a camera with me. I always look for something to shoot. If in post I see something I think I can improve ... the next day I can easily be back at the same spot. Sometime I'll take a long lens, other times a macro but mostly I take a 50mm on a FF or a 32mm on a crop. I work at creativity, angles and lighting. Focusing my eyes to see something interesting that 99% of the people won't see and walk on by.

For starters try walking around your neighborhood. A PAD thing. You're lucky to have seasons with radically changing environment. I'm stuck with much of the same all year round. Besides, the daily stroll couldn't hurt.

I should bring my camera on my afternoon hike, but I do it mainly for exercise so photography isn't really in my mind at that moment and for some reason, I always have a fear that someone is going to tell to stop taking photos or something. I'm just a paranoid person, always have been lol.

 

[PersistentNomad]

The reason you learn more when you're focusing on a specific genre or subject is because there are similarities to how you shoot the subject and the differences between shots you think are mediocre and shots you think are great are more pronounced. So, shooting everything is fine, but having a dedicated body of work where you're trying to learn something is where you can actually learn something. This is true of all artists, everywhere, not just photogs.