Shoot Like A Pro...

[cgw143 169]

I shoot nothing but primes. They encourage pre-visualization and a bit of footwork. Heroic editing of crap shots seems pointless, total time-waster. See over-editing here sometimes that pretty much left the sow's ear intact.

 

[smoke665]

I shoot nothing but primes. They encourage pre-visualization and a bit of footwork. Heroic editing of crap shots seems pointless, total time-waster. See over-editing here sometimes that pretty much left the sow's ear intact.

My favorite carry around for street/walk, is the K3Ii with the Pentax 18-135mm. Its not a really fast lens, but the K3II handles higher ISOs well enough that it hasn't been an issue and the zoom range never leaves me without options. Plus it's light and compact with the right egoronomics for me.

I dont mind editing, it's a part of the creative process but it's not "fix all" end game for me,

 

[KJ_North]

I've read similar advice and I usually do it as well, I don't do a lot of random or chance type shots. Most of mine I have a plan in place including post processing before I snap the shot. I don't enjoy spending time at a computer trying to fix something. There are those situations where the random appearances of the subject require you to take a less than ideal shot, but even then it pays to limit as much as possible things to fix.

My growth in photography (I will call it that) is if i have time in the moment i am starting to experiment with different shutter speeds/Exposure to at very least widen my options at the editing process to have different takes etc. Often I dont have time if a bird etc is flying by. But if it is stationary or simply walking around I at lease experiment trying to achieve either a lower ISO or possibly wider or narrower depth of field etc. Certainly no pro far from it, but it helps me learn more as i go to see what difference my changes made when I go to edit the scene.

 

[cgw143 169]

10 Legendary Photographers Share Advice for Budding Artists

Worth listening to.

petapixel.com

 

[TJMcG139 23]

To each their own. One of the great perks of being my age is I can finally "do what I want, when I want". Very liberating! Where we apparently differ is, I don't mind editing but I hate "fixing things" when my time is better spent "creating".

...and one of the problems of being my age is that I can no longer get out to do all the things and go all the places I once did. Also, I consider the "fixing" to be part of the "creating, "so there's that...

 

[DanOstergren22]

Also, I consider the "fixing" to be part of the "creating"

I'm right there with you on this one. I try my best to get everything as close as possible to "right" in-camera for the sake of efficiency / time management, but I have no judgment and a lot of respect for anyone who can turn a mistake into something beautiful, especially when that "mistake" turns into a happy accident that enhances the image.

Honestly one of my favorite photos I took in 2025 was soft in focus, to the extent that I almost passed it by in the culling stage, but something about it caught my attention and made me look at it for longer than usual, so I decided to see what I could do with it. As cliche as it sounds, a purposeful black and white conversion and added grain turned it into one of my favorite shots. Some would say there is no skill involved, or that it's not what a professional would do, but oh well, I love it.

 

[smoke665]

My growth in photography (I will call it that) is if i have time in the moment i am starting to experiment

The place where you go from taking photos, to experimenting is when the creative part of photography really kicks in a major jump in your photography journey.

and one of the problems of being my age is that I can no longer get out to do all the things and go all the places I once did.

In a few months I'll be 76, and yes I've slowed down but I haven't stopped. I'm still very active both mentally and physically, maybe I'm running to the end, but I'm not about to sit down and let it catch me either.

Also, I consider the "fixing" to be part of the "creating, "so there's that...

I have no judgment and a lot of respect for anyone who can turn a mistake into something beautiful, especially when that "mistake" turns into a happy accident that enhances the image.

As I said earlier, I'm not against editing, it's an important part of a creative workflow, and there are occasional beautiful mistakes. I've created images wholly in computer, with composites and AI. What I'm not in favor of is wasting time making editing corrections on things I could have prevented at the camera. Sometimes it's nothing more than moving over a bit to frame the scene, picking up that piece of trash laying on the ground, or waiting 30 minutes on the perfect light/shadows. I view creativity as a whole process from start to finish, not any one part, but that's just me. Whatever floats your boat, there's no right or wrong here.

 

[TJMcG139 23]

In a few months I'll be 76, and yes I've slowed down but I haven't stopped. I'm still very active both mentally and physically, maybe I'm running to the end, but I'm not about to sit down and let it catch me either.

Next month I'll be 83, and while I'm in good health generally, I am physically unable to hike the trails and brave the weather I once could. Arthritis has made it impossible to get into some areas I used to go. I am forced to stay near the lookouts next to the road more than ever. I am also unable to drive for 10-12 hours a day as I could once.

As I said earlier, I'm not against editing, it's an important part of a creative workflow, and there are occasional beautiful mistakes. I've created images wholly in computer, with composites and AI. What I'm not in favor of is wasting time making editing corrections on things I could have prevented at the camera. Sometimes it's nothing more than moving over a bit to frame the scene, picking up that piece of trash laying on the ground, or waiting 30 minutes on the perfect light/shadows. I view creativity as a whole process from start to finish, not any one part, but that's just me. Whatever floats your boat, there's no right or wrong here.

I don't think anyone is advocating sloppy, "I'll just fix it in Photoshop" photography. But I've been on forums like this a long time, and I can say with certainty that there are, or at least were, those who say that picking up trash at the scene means that your photo is fake. You moved a twig blocking your flower. You did not faithfully reproduce the scene; you changed it by altering its condition. The only way to be a "real" photographer is to look for an angle that excludes the trash without moving it. If there is none, you walk away.

Then there was an image by a photojournalist who turned the camera just slightly and eliminated something from his image that another photographer there at the time included. The first was accused of "editing" the scene by choosing not to show that part. Neither photo was "manipulated," but still there was criticism.

It is ever thus...

 

[smoke665]

@TJMcG the 80s are the new 20s...old enough to know better, old enough to not care. we've been in a group of camping seniors for several years, ranging in age from 60s to 80s. Some have passed, some no longer able to go, and due to the age shift in our current members we had to shorten some of our destinations, but we still enjoy every trip.

I don't know why there are so many petty people in photography that seem to believe their methods and opinions are the only way. I've been in wood carving clubs and turning clubs, neither had that kind of negativity. I would attribute it to the anonymity of the internet, but I've also been in some photography clubs that were the same way.

The advantage of being retired is you can do what you want, when you want, and not care how others do it.

 

[DanOstergren22]

As I said earlier, I'm not against editing, it's an important part of a creative workflow, and there are occasional beautiful mistakes.

Never said you were against it.

What I'm not in favor of is wasting time making editing corrections on things I could have prevented at the camera.

As I also said earlier, this is important to me as well. I just have nothing against those who find a way to make things work otherwise.

 

[KJ_North]

I will add that while editing I often take the time to see exactly how I shot the pic and what could I have done better? I may not always remember for the next time but the more i critique myself the more i will try and remember to try something different next time.

A key thing for me is shutter speed and the limitations of using a lens with an aperture that limits you in anything but ideal lighting. So then I gamble and try shooting at speeds that might induce camera shake etc but could offer the benefit of a more pleasing ISO if the shot works out. Trial and error, if it works great if not then maybe I also took additional shots at the higher shutter speeds that are usable if the others are not. It certainly gives me hopefully more options at processing.

Even paying more attention to the overall landscape etc. Although I focus on the bird, the scenery may also really make the picture itself so sometimes I zoom way in but also add shots zoomed out again giving me more possibilities at the editing stage.

All part of growth just THINK then if you didnt get it right THINK again and maybe the next time you have improved.

 

[cgw143 169]

Friends tell me it's "living like a pro" that can be difficult.
Same crew often jokes, "What do you call an editorial photographer without
a working wife/girlfriend?" Homeless.

 

[cgw143 169]

@TJMcG the 80s are the new 20s...old enough to know better, old enough to not care. we've been in a group of camping seniors for several years, ranging in age from 60s to 80s. Some have passed, some no longer able to go, and due to the age shift in our current members we had to shorten some of our destinations, but we still enjoy every trip.

I don't know why there are so many petty people in photography that seem to believe their methods and opinions are the only way. I've been in wood carving clubs and turning clubs, neither had that kind of negativity. I would attribute it to the anonymity of the internet, but I've also been in some photography clubs that were the same way.

The advantage of being retired is you can do what you want, when you want, and not care how others do it.

Age disgracefully. It's your only hope! Conformity is a trap.