the wow factor

[Civchic]

Agreed with Brickhouse. I'm a rank beginner, and all I do is copy. I see something I like posted here or elsewhere, and I copy it. By which I mean I study it, I try to break down what they have done, I read their own description if it is posted here, and I take my own equipment out and try to emulate it. And fail miserably, but perhaps some day I will succeed! If I just go out and shoot willy-nilly I won't learn anything (or there will be a ceiling to my learning), but if I have a target of achievement I will learn a lot while attempting to copy it.

But I think I "get" what you're saying about the copying you mean - someone who copies another's work, not for the purpose of learning, but for their own personal gain (either financial or reputation). For instance, if Majeed posts his incredible waterfall shot, and I disect it, go out to that spot, do exactly what he says, and post it saying LOOK AT WHAT I THOUGHT UP ON MY OWN, I AM AWESOME. That's not cool.

 

[bribrius]

well. off subject. if we are moving on to vocalists. I prefer the female variety.

Greatest female vocalist ever:

i think id rather listen to Natalie imbruglia jewel or adele, celine dion if I was really hard up, or the band perry. just sayn... I give Fleetwood mac stevie nicks some credit for things like landslide..
heart... YUCK
lol.

 

[runnah]

Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but this woman has a fantastic voice.

 

[bribrius]

ozzy Osborne: "oh god, please, please help me. no no no"

 

[vintagesnaps]

The music discussion might be the best part of this thread. Somebody let us know when instagramming goes the way of bell bottoms.
(To be fair, I can see how it could be fun and if it wasn't for their terms I might try it but it seems overdone and overused for my tastes.)

I'm not sure copying is necessarily the best way to learn, or at least not beyond initially trying something out. I've been a teacher and I'd be more likely to encourage someone to study well known photographers etc. but I think it works better to learn the techniques and processes involved, then you could probably learn to do a particular style or look and still make it your own.

 

[kundalini]

OP, if you want a jump start on learning, try critiquing other's posted work on TPF that ask for it. But here's the catch, don't look any further down than the photo. Dissect the photo as much as you can, making notes (mental or physical) with regard to composition, lighting, field of view, etc. Afterwards, read the critiques of people that have a semblance of integrity and knowledge. Among many others, Lew and Derrel come to mind. How close were you to being correct to the consensus? What did you over look? Could you offer the OP a better option? Once you have some of this under your belt, I promise it will eventually show through in your own photos.

 

[Designer]

Greatest female vocalist ever:

She's pretty good, but have you listened to opera?

BTW: what is her name?

 

[BrickHouse]

Her name is Ann Wilson. I do listen to opera on occasion. Not my exact cup of tea but I can recognize the phenomenal talent a good classically-trained opera singer has. Ok, how about this, Ann Wilson is the greatest female rock vocalist ever.

 

[Designer]

O.K., I'll grant that she does have a fine voice.

 

[Designer]

Speaking of opera (after all, it was I who brought it up) it seems to me that more female opera singers are in the starring role, make more CDs, are more famous, etc., way more than the men are.

?

 

[BrickHouse]

Now, are you talking opera like Maria Callas opera or are you talking broadway-opera like Idina Menzel?

 

[bribrius]

OP, if you want a jump start on learning, try critiquing other's posted work on TPF that ask for it. But here's the catch, don't look any further down than the photo. Dissect the photo as much as you can, making notes (mental or physical) with regard to composition, lighting, field of view, etc. Afterwards, read the critiques of people that have a semblance of integrity and knowledge. Among many others, Lew and Derrel come to mind. How close were you to being correct to the consensus? What did you over look? Could you offer the OP a better option? Once you have some of this under your belt, I promise it will eventually show through in your own photos.

Might help. Actually I know what I need. I need a old school 70 year old mentor (local) that has been doing this for 50 plus years but kept up with digital that will be willing to take my walks with me sometimes. someone that is a total hardazz because they are old school and the only way to really bring out my best is if someone threatens to lay a ruler down on my fingers for being lazy and making mistakes. I know enough to be dangerous that is about it at this point, never had real teaching (other than a brief photography course).
But that is also the kind of hobbiest photographer I would probably fit in with. old school. Online doesn't really cut it and ive never been good at listening to anyone that wasn't at least twenty years older than me. I found one, but they spent most of their time doing weddings. so it wouldn't fit. The hands on approach, lets take that walk for photos and if you do something stupid ill slap you in the back of the head would probably straighten me out.

 

[Scatterbrained]

What books have you read?

What educational sites have you tried?

 

[Designer]

Now, are you talking opera like Maria Callas opera or are you talking broadway-opera like Idina Menzel?

Maria Callas, among others.

 

[Designer]

Actually I know what I need. I need a old school 70 year old mentor (local) that has been doing this for 50 plus years but kept up with digital that will be willing to take my walks with me sometimes.

You know, TPF has a mentoring function. You ask one of the volunteer mentors by PM.