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How did you develop into great photographers?
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Hi all!
I see many great photos here and you seem so knowledgeable. I am very impressed and would like to be able to take great pictures myself. I got my first SLR just after Christmas, and since then I have read up in books and on the web and have grasped a beginners understanding of basic concepts.
I would be interested in how you experienced photographers started out. Did you do courses to learn or did you learn from someone you know? How long did it take until you felt you were proficient?
I also want to say that this website is great. Always helpful, and no unfriendly comments like some other forums I have seen.
Hi Faye,
Just a tip, … I don’t think you should ask
How did you develop into great photographers?
For anyone to answer that, they would be declaring that they think they are a “great photographer”.
Maybe that is why you got so many views and no answer – I didn’t answer straight away, I was waiting to see if any “this is how I did it” reply would come :D .I’m certainly not one of the “great photographers” so I’ll stick to how you might rephrase your query.
I think you should ask it more subtly (how can I improve? ) in the context of a few photos you have taken and post.
This is because there is general advice (like “take the lens cap off” :) ) , but much advice is in the context of the type of shot you take, whether it is portraits, or landscape, or whatever, and also depends on your own weaknesses and strengths.One more thing, I see you put a photo in the abstract section.
Abstract photography, I think, is very hard to pull off although it looks simple, also many people don’t get it.
If you stick to posting landscape, portraits, animals etc (the more usual stuff) at the start you will get more helpful replies, as the folks here are more familiar with these type of shots, and you should get more feedback.Basically get posting shots, and I’m sure those GP’s will help you out.
Martin
I am not one of the great photographers. But in fact a amateur like most would admit on PI. I started out like everyone else, you included, reading books listening to other photographers, looking in awe at their work and wondering if i will get to that standard?
But i threw away more bad shots than i had good, (and still do)
The trick is to watch what people are doing here on PI, read how they did it and go out and find yourself some locations ( i dont mean the SAME locations) try what the photographer suggested and see the results. If they are not what you expected, go and ask “Why” its all about understanding what the camera is thinking and sometimes you have to do the thinking.
But the trick is to shoot shoot shoot, and most important enjoy your hobby ,never get too hung up on it, then it becomes more than a hobby nd would feel like work (which we all need an escape from)Hope that makes sense
I agree with previous posts, I dont think anyone here would profess to be
a “Great Photographer” but many of them are, and when you are starting out
and are not sure what you like to photograph it can seem quite daunting to look
at all the fantastic shots on the site, I know I was and still am to a certain degree
but everyone is so helpful and the only way you can improve is by taking lots of
photographs and posting as many as you can the feedback can be so helpful and
eventually you will become more confident. Apart from anything else enjoy it, thats
what its all about at the end of the day. :)Hi guys, and thanks for answers. I see what you mean Martin. :oops:
I have rephrased it above. I suppose I was just in awe of many photos here, and they seem great. It’s a compliment too.I am interested if you did courses, or if you figured things out yourselves. Did you know someone who made you interested in photography, or why did you become interested.
Re abstract pictures, yes I see your point. It’s not the kind of picture I take mostly, but I just thought I would give it a go.
I’ll be back! :)
HI, I know I am an amatuer but one thing I know for sure, photography has no laws in an artistic sense.art is anything you make it.
I have taken 100’s of photos on a single day and only liked two, thats the brilliance of digital , you can reuse you memory card and then wipe it when your done.But if you get even one photo out of 2000 that you like… well that makes it all worth while in my opinion and
you will eventually get two , then three, and so on….Have fun chat with fellow enthusiasts and feel proud of your work, they are your memories in a visual form and I for one love seeing everyones picture.
Some wise words here :) as has been said do it because you enjoy it and personaly just try things till you find something you like and thats a great result.
I have had the odd day out and took loads of shots and not liked any of them but still enjoyed myself and thats what keeps me going :)
Have fun and dont be too (you know what retentive) about your equipment your the photographer not the camera :)
Hi Faye and welcome to PI.
You’ve already made the best start you could by joining up here. I know I learned so much from my fellow photographers on this site, and really it generally happens gradually without you even noticing it.
I’ve done one or two one day courses on specific aspects of photography, one with Simon (or Si) a member here on principles of composition and use of flash, which was really informative, and I think these kind of events do tend to give your skills a little boost every now and then and are generally well worthwhile. Plus you get to meet and chat with people at a similar level to yourself.
I’ve read many different books on photography, from the overall general books to more specific single topic books, which I have found to be generally more useful in the long term. If you check the Book section on the site you’ll find lots of great suggestions.
Another thing which I’ve found great from a new skills viewpoint and a social viewpoint is the occasional meet up’s that occur every now and then. It’s always great to meet up with fellow photographers, pick up tips and watch how they interact with their subjects. Keep an eye on the Events section and take the leap and join in. You wont regret it.
Finally post your shots on here..be as discriminating as you can..use shots that you like, but think could be improved and hopefully you’ll get some useful feedback from the members.
That’s about all I can think of right now Faye…enjoy your time here :D
Robbie
8)I think you can read all the books to get the technical knowledge but it will come down to your ability to find the right scene, at the right time.
Also photography is very subjective, many of the images I hate people love and vice versa.
So don’t get down if other people knock your work, take any constructive criticism on board and learn from it.I don’t remember who was quoted, but the quote was ‘the first 10,000 pictures were the hardest…’ keep taking, reading, critiquing, taking, critiquing and you will get there.
I’m on 14,000 DSLR images and still learning.
I just started photography last year and joined a Camera Club in September and found just sitting and listening to the more experienced photographers, I picked up a lot.
It was amazing what I learnt just from watching and listening and entering the montly competitions. I am still regarded as a beginner but sure its a bit of fun and also gets me out of the house too.
I was born to be great…
It’s actually hard to learn, but it’s contagious, so if you are around great photographers, you might catch it…
scotty38886 wrote:
HI, I know I am an amatuer but one thing I know for sure, photography has no laws in an artistic sense.art is anything you make it.
I have taken 100’s of photos on a single day and only liked two, thats the brilliance of digital , you can reuse you memory card and then wipe it when your done.But if you get even one photo out of 2000 that you like… well that makes it all worth while in my opinion and
you will eventually get two , then three, and so on….Have fun chat with fellow enthusiasts and feel proud of your work, they are your memories in a visual form and I for one love seeing everyones picture.
I totally agree with Scotty!
Hi Faye,
You have to start at the start, I am by no means a great photographer there are
some aspects of photography I still struggle with and im 15 years at it.I dont mean to make little of your question when i say you have to start at the start but dont
get too frustrated, the main thing is to have fun and experiment and like any other art form
its only by making mistakes through your experimenting that you learn and maybe happen
across something interesting !And of course keep up your reading and research and put it to practice and ask questions,
when I started out there was no internet like this.Good luck
A
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