Newbie advice

[David Stallard]

This is probably obvious to most of us but I was talking to a lad at work about photography and forums which has prompted me to post this!

If you take a shot and YOU like it - post it up and be proud of it, don't look at other photographers post's / work and think I'm not that good I'm too embarrassed to put mine up. We are ALL at differing levels, it's not all about the kit - some have a better understanding of post processing, some do very little - I for one have been shooting for many years and look at some others work and wonder "why can't I get shots like that?" as I said - we all shoot / process differently.

PLEASE don't let it put you off, grab your camera and get out there and most importantly 'enjoy it'

 

[TwoWheeler]

'enjoy it'

Look, don't tell me what to do!

I like to think I'm mostly immune to needing approval because I grew up as a city kid in a small town where I didn't fit in. I got used to doing my own thing, fully understanding that probably no one else would "get it" and I was OK with that.

When I first got back into photography, I sort of fell into the trap of trying to emulate all the epic landscapes and stuff posted online, but I gradually realized all those over-processed Venusian landscapes created to catch eyeballs for a fleeting moment, just wasn't me.

I have one shot in particular that really crystalized things for me. It's just a closeup of an old fieldstone wall. (I'd post it, but it was taken back in the day when I was a Fuji apostate). I really like it because I look at it and wonder about the person(s) who put it up and how their work has fallen to ruin. (I'm just a ray of sunshine like that). I also realize that, despite the stones being pulled from disparate places, with time, they've all become harmonious - they belong. If I were to Photoshop a brick in place of one of the stones, it would be jarring and off-putting.

I posted it for a critique on another forum and someone commented that, in printing and hanging it, I'd be putting a wall....on a wall. Fair enough, but, yeah, no one got it...and that's ok. I'm not even sure my wife likes the shot.

 

[ACEkin]

Photography is about seeing. We all see different things, and differently, nothing wrong with that. In an article I wrote almost exactly ten years ago, I challenged the photographers to sharpen their awareness and improve how and what they see. It was republished on PetaPixel then and was very popular. In case you may want to tackle the simple challenges I posed there:

Seeing is the essence of photography, you can learn to see better

Seeing is the essence of photography and requires awareness which is a state of mind. Learning to see better will make you a better photographer.

www.keptlight.com

or

Seeing is the Essence of Photography, And You Can Learn to Do It Better

Photography is an analytic art form. We aim our lenses to specific parts of the world around us to pick a frame because, in our analysis, that particular

petapixel.com

 

[MrSparks999]

I take photos for me, if others like them great, if they dont great. As long as i like them, that is all that matters.

 

[TwoWheeler]

I take photos for me, if others like them great, if they dont great. As long as i like them, that is all that matters.

Truth be told, I’d rather have someone tell me they don’t like an image…but tell me why, instead of just throw a fire emoji at it or blow smoke up my backside.

Photography is about seeing.

True. The funny part is photography for me is a way of improving my “seeing”, rather than the other way around. I realized I was spending far too much time inside my own head and missing what was going on around me, so I got back into photography as a way of forcing -or reminding- myself to be more in the moment and more aware.

We all see different things, and differently, nothing wrong with that.

Absolutely. Once you realize it’s entirely subjective it kind of frees you up to accept that someone’s “rejection” doesn’t mean your stuff is no good. This also paves the way for you to be open to constructive criticism.

 

[ctitanic]

I never post pictures seeking constructive criticism. However, I’ve received advice and suggestions from many in this forum—some I take seriously, while others I simply ignore. The reason is that when I take a picture and go through the post-editing process, I have a clear vision of how I want my photo to look. That vision is mine, not someone else’s. The feedback I value comes from those who offer insights that enhance my vision. On the other hand, I disregard suggestions that stem from a different vision, as they don’t align with what I aim to achieve.

When I look at others' photos, I seek inspiration, studying their vision and mentally recreating their editing process. I also watch “how-to” videos when available. I never feel discouraged when comparing my work to others; instead, I reflect on my progress. Looking back at my photos from 10 years ago and comparing them to my work today, I’m happy to see the evolution of my style, vision, and editing techniques.

Photography is an endless journey full of twists and turns—you never know what’s around the next corner. New cameras and editing tools constantly emerge, enabling creative possibilities that once seemed impossible.

Just my 2cs.

One more thing. One thing that I have learned on line. When you ask for CCs it's like opening a Pandora box. No everybody is a teacher. Some times even when you are asking for CC what you get is DC (Destructive Criticism). In another hand, no everybody takes well Criticism of any kind.

One thing I have learned in my life. You can only achieve goals by working hard, take pictures, 1000s of them, every day. Spend hours, days perhaps editing. Practice, Practice and more Practice. Pictures, Pictures and More Pictures.

 

[TwoWheeler]

I never post pictures seeking constructive criticism.

I would, but the few times I’ve tried, it’s been mostly underwhelming. I can check my ego at the door and put on my flame-resistant underwear, but I’ve never really gotten anything helpful. Kind of a shame, really.

I have a clear vision of how I want my photo to look.

Always? Hell, I sometimes don’t know until I sit down and start editing…sometimes not even then! Sometimes I don’t see it until I come back to it much later - sometimes that involves me saying “What the hell was I thinking?” and resetting the edits! There have been a number of times I’ve looked at something to photograph and thought “There’s something there….” but not been able to pin down what that “something” is.

That vision is mine, not someone else’s. The feedback I value comes from those who offer insights that enhance my vision.

I can listen, take what I feel is helpful and politely disregard the rest. Sometimes, someone else will point out something I didn’t notice, or think about. (My wife and I have agreed to a truce about what she considers my excessive use of negative space - even though she’s always wrong).

When I look at others' photos, I seek inspiration, studying their vision and mentally recreating their editing process.

I don’t seek inspiration so much as understanding and hopefully that helps me understand what I’m trying to do, better. Or I just look at them and think “wow…great job” (or, far too often, “Holy hell that’s overcooked…”) I even look at genres that don’t interest me, at all, just to see what I can learn from them.

I also watch “how-to” videos when available. I never feel discouraged when comparing my work to others; instead, I reflect on my progress.

I’ve pretty much given up on the “how to” stuff. The one exception is Paul Reiffer’s live edit videos. It’s Capture One-centric, but he has an amazing eye and is the rare combination of someone who is really good at something and really good at teaching it. Many times, people have sent in photos for editing critique and I think “Wow, that’s a great shot!” only to go “….yeah, that is better…” when he’s done. Even my wife - who is one of those commies who use Lightroom - watches them.

Looking back at my photos from 10 years ago and comparing them to my work today, I’m happy to see the evolution of my style, vision, and editing techniques.

…but would “you from ten years ago” have taken advice from “now you”?

I think what keeps things in perspective is being completely honest with myself and realizing no one truly gives a rodent’s posterior about what I do.