Questioning oneself as a photographer
Jul 17, 2013 12:13:06 #
Have you ever, or regularly feel down about your photography skills? Constantly question if you're any good?
Jul 17, 2013 12:18:47 #
MaggieMay1978 wrote:
Have you ever, or regularly feel down about your photography skills? Constantly question if you're any good?
Yes but that's how I improve
Jul 17, 2013 12:21:15 #
I happen to be in one of those lulls right now. It was triggered by other events. Try shooting with a different way of seeing, or a subject you haven't tried yet. Look at how your photos are different, not trying to be better than others. Spend more time honing your skills and you will be more confident.
Jul 17, 2013 12:22:02 #
FredB
Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.
MaggieMay1978 wrote:
Never myself, but often others...Have you ever, or regularly feel down about your photography skills? Constantly question if you're any good?
Jul 17, 2013 12:27:35 #
MaggieMay1978 wrote:
Have you ever, or regularly feel down about your photography skills? Constantly question if you're any good?
If you would allow me to post two pictures I may be able to answer your question for you, MaggieMay.
Jul 17, 2013 12:32:25 #
I am having one of those periods myself. Part is my youngest daughter is freelancing for Santa Barbara Magazine and her work is so beyond mine I wonder if I have plateaued. Larrie is correct in the desire to improve is motivated by the feeling of something lacking in our photographic skills. Keep shooting and try something outside the "box".
Jul 17, 2013 12:34:37 #
Joe F.N. wrote:
If you would allow me to post two pictures I may be able to answer your question for you, MaggieMay.
sure :)
Jul 17, 2013 12:56:52 #
Yes. But when I compare my work to others of better quality, I realize they may have had a life totally dedicated to photography. Plus they may have a genius for it. I couldn't possibly catch up. That doesn't stop me from wanting to be the best I can with my given circumstances. And that pursuit gives me great pleasure.
Jul 17, 2013 13:02:45 #
MaggieMay1978 wrote:
Have you ever, or regularly feel down about your photography skills? Constantly question if you're any good?
I don't think I ever feel down about my skills, I get happy just looking thru a viewfinder. I do get frustrated at times though, especially when viewing insects photographed by those macro experts and knowing I cannot duplicate those tack sharp images. :-D
Jul 17, 2013 13:16:59 #
MaggieMay1978 wrote:
Have you ever, or regularly feel down about your photography skills? Constantly question if you're any good?
No, and since I started school, my skills only get better. The versatality I now have compared to two years ago will allow me to shoot almost anything. It's all about the foundation, then the limits are only the imagination. SS
Jul 17, 2013 13:29:44 #
The answer to your question, as you posed it, is no. I'm comfortable with my photography skills. If the question was do I ever develop 'writers block' then the answer is yes.
Instead of writing pages and pages describing my observations, please allow me to show you.
Last Friday I was photographing Ospreys. After an hour or so I looked at the images I had taken and wondered if I needed anymore pictures like I had just taken. I have done this so many times and after awhile they all start to look the same. So when I took another one as you'll see in the first picture, I asked myself, why I was there. One more picture, one more been there done that.
I decided to wait a little while longer and the Osprey did a pose and reacted in a way I hadn't expected as you'll see in the second picture. When I viewed it on the LCD I said to myself, "Yes, that's why I'm here. All doubt removed."
And my 'writers block' was over until the next time.
I hope you understand what I'm getting at.
Instead of writing pages and pages describing my observations, please allow me to show you.
Last Friday I was photographing Ospreys. After an hour or so I looked at the images I had taken and wondered if I needed anymore pictures like I had just taken. I have done this so many times and after awhile they all start to look the same. So when I took another one as you'll see in the first picture, I asked myself, why I was there. One more picture, one more been there done that.
I decided to wait a little while longer and the Osprey did a pose and reacted in a way I hadn't expected as you'll see in the second picture. When I viewed it on the LCD I said to myself, "Yes, that's why I'm here. All doubt removed."
And my 'writers block' was over until the next time.
I hope you understand what I'm getting at.
Just another pose.
The pose that got me out of my funk.
Jul 17, 2013 13:30:14 #
MaggieMay1978 wrote:
Have you ever, or regularly feel down about your photography skills? Constantly question if you're any good?
When my head starts to get to big, I post for feedback and the more senior photographers bring me back down to earth.
I don't question if I'm any good, I know I am good. I do question if I'm as great as I can be and if I am as great as I think I am.
Jul 17, 2013 13:44:02 #
Once you become completly satisfied with your work, you will not get any better. Disatisfaction will make you strive to get better.
Jul 17, 2013 14:26:29 #
cjeisch wrote:
Once you become completly satisfied with your work, you will not get any better. Disatisfaction will make you strive to get better.
Good comment
:thumbup:
Jul 17, 2013 14:38:38 #
MaggieMay1978 wrote:
Have you ever, or regularly feel down about your photography skills? Constantly question if you're any good?
I think when you look at other people's work and see how good it is and compare your own work unfavourably to it, it means that you're appreciating other people's abilities, and that is very often the catalyst for improving your own abilities.
And it's very easy to forget that what you're seeing of other people's work is the best part of their output, and you're not seeing their not-so-good stuff which they will no doubt have produced in abundance (some more than others lol).
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