Very Disappointed

pbelarge · Apr 1, 2010

Well, I went out and purchased one of the "L" lenses from Canon. I have been shooting for just under 1 year and I thought it would help me become better with my skills as a photographer.

Not so...
For any who may think that the equipment helps. That is probably only so if you know how to use it.
I am very disappointed in myself, not the lens.

I can see this road is going to be a lot steeper than I thought it would be.

reznap · Apr 1, 2010

That's funny pbelarge, I've been feeling something similar with my $500-ish 70-300..

I predict you'll grow to love that lens though, whichever L series lens it is. Just keep a positive outlook.

Hardrock · Apr 1, 2010

pbelarge said:
Well, I went out and purchased one of the "L" lenses from Canon. I have been shooting for just under 1 year and I thought it would help me become better with my skills as a photographer.

Not so...
For any who may think that the equipment helps. That is probably only so if you know how to use it.
I am very disappointed in myself, not the lens.

I can see this road is going to be a lot steeper than I thought it would be.

What lens did you get? Loan it to me until you think you are ready and I will give it back!!:mrgreen:

JillH · Apr 1, 2010

I hear you. Every time I think about sinking serious money into a new lens I think about my skill as a photographer, and realize I'm still just a rank amateur and that until I can get great shots consistently with what I have now (a measly 38-80 mm Nikon lens that came with my camera!), I can't justify another expensive toy.

Except for that wide angle lens that I really, really want!

Keep at it though, and don't give up!

Abby Rose · Apr 1, 2010

Don't be sad! I used to feel the same way when I looked at really good photography, thinking "now why can't I do that?". Then I decided that maybe I could, if I practiced enough. So now I am practicing, and having a great time!

Even though my pictures still dont look like those really great ones, I think I may have improved a teeny bit since I decided to be better. And I can always think that they might be good someday.

So just practice with your lens.

Bitter Jeweler · Apr 1, 2010

:addpics:

Dominantly · Apr 1, 2010

I had quite the opposite experience.

Whenever I rent expensive lenses, I find my photos improving dramatically. The same when you start to incorporate off camera lighting.

Phranquey · Apr 1, 2010

pbelarge said:
I thought it would help me become better with my skills as a photographer.

Within your own statement lies your problem. No piece of equipment is going to help your skills. Once your skills do improve, though, the L glass will allow you to progress further than a kit lens would have.

pbelarge said:
I can see this road is going to be a lot steeper than I thought it would be.

Yeah, but the nice thing about photography today is it's just the equipment investment. Once you have it, you can shoot as much as you like without any additional expense. Try learning at $10 a pop for film/developing.

c.cloudwalker · Apr 1, 2010

Phranquey said:
Within your own statement lies your problem. No piece of equipment is going to help your skills. Once your skills do improve, though, the L glass will allow you to progress further than a kit lens would have.

Agreed. Hopefully, you learned a lesson.

And it is a good one. Gear is nothing more than gear. Without the technical knowledge, without the creativity, etc, gear is never going to do that much.

But it is a cheap lesson because when the lens is able to help you it will still be around.

Derrel · Apr 1, 2010

pbelarge said:
Well, I went out and purchased one of the "L" lenses from Canon. I have been shooting for just under 1 year and I thought it would help me become better with my skills as a photographer.

Not so...
For any who may think that the equipment helps. That is probably only so if you know how to use it.
I am very disappointed in myself, not the lens.

I can see this road is going to be a lot steeper than I thought it would be.

I think there's some confusion as to what premium lenses do: they do not necessarily, in and of themselves, make a person a better photographer, but instead they help make images with higher quality--not necessarily do they help make "better pictures", but only pictures with higher "quality".

Somebody recently wrote that it takes 10,000 hours to become really skilled at anything--skiing, tennis, photography, etc. I think that might be true, and so with less than one year of photography, you have to accept that you'll need a bit more time at the craft to become really skilled. In the meantime, I hope you feel contented that your new lens is producing images of good optical quality,and that as your skills improve you will catch up to the lens!

usayit · Apr 1, 2010

pbelarge said:
I have been shooting for just under 1 year and I thought it would help me become better with my skills as a photographer.

Not so...

The next thing you'll notice is that no matter how many times you say this to others.. they don't believe you. (especially with a Leica in hand.. people fixate on the equipment)

Better equipment is an enabler... nothing more.. nothing less.. On the flip side, shooting with nice equipment can be very enjoyable as long as you keep reminding yourself that its you not the equipment. As long as you keep that in mind, you'll get passed disappointment and refocus on yourself to practice (after all you no longer can blame the equipment).

The key.. is to enjoy what you are doing. If it takes a nice piece of glass .. fine.. but enjoy learning.

sleist · Apr 1, 2010

"Owning" a lens/camera/whatever for a year doesn't mean you're shooting with it enough for you to "learn" how to use it. I bought a Tokina 11-16 ultrawide a month ago and have been forcing myself to use it for everything over the past 4 weekends - 200 - 400 shots per weekend - and I expect this to continue for a long time before I'm comfortable with how and when to use this lens. And when I say everything, I mean everything - even things I know won't work. I do this because I know the failures are what teach you the most early on with anything new. Then I look at everything and take notes on what I like, what I don't like, why I do/don't like it, how I could make it better, or what situations are NOT suited for this particular set up. I'm trying to teach myself to see things in ultra wide angle before I take the shot much like people need to learn how to see in black and white. I am not good with this lens yet, but I have improved quite a bit. My 70-200 arrives tomorrow and I will be doing the same here - thank god for the warm weather! Cold fingers don't help things much.

I read everything I can, but I think I get the most out of looking at other people's work and trying to figure out what they did to create the effects I find pleasing.

Mostly, I make sure that when I go out to shoot I have a goal - either a specific subject matter or a specific technique or lens. I don't just wander around aimlessly - that's the best way to come home with a pile of crap snapshots. Also, without a goal you have no way to measure success or failure.

Finally, some people will never be "any good" at photography/painting/golf/softball. They just don't have whatever minimal skills that are required, and no amount of anything can change that - no matter how expensive the lens/brush/clubs/bat. But luckily none of that matters, as long as you're having fun. So go have fun!

If it's not fun, don't do it.

Vinny · Apr 1, 2010

The art of photography is a personal thing IMO unless you are trying to become a professional. Finding what you like or love about photography is important. I love taking nature shots and hate taking people shots other than quick candids.

I stopped carrying my camera years ago because everywhere I went the people I know wanted me to photograph something (usually people) and it became less enjoyable. These were the days before the point and shoot dslrs that are out today (try focusing a split prism after a few drinks :lmao: ).

As was said, the equipment just takes what you point it toward and it requires the person to see the photo - all that takes time to develop. I am not into black and white photography but Ansel Adams was THE greatest photographer IMO and love all his photos but he photographed nature and may have been lousy if he photographed sports.

I guess what I'm trying to say is to find a subject in photography you like, stick with it, experiment with it and as was said enjoy it. Don't be overly critical of yourself, be proud of the artwork that you are making, hang some of it up (part of enjoying it), think about what you would like to see if you were to retake the shot again, retake the shot again (learning experience) ((do these last 2 steps over and over if need be)) and put the info you learned into your learning portfolio for the next time.

One last thing which may or may not apply to you - In the new age of digital you can take shot after shot without waiting for the film to be developed (we used bracketing in the past) and the printing of the photo has to be just as good as the equipment you are using. I have returned P&S photos to the store because they came out like garbage and looked great on my screen.

dyyylan · Apr 1, 2010

Well, at least you have one side of the equation solved now. You don't really need to worry about whether your equipment is holding you back, it's all you.