Still here: Just wanted to say hello to you guys …. let you know that tho I have been here for a while and I have posted some work and commented on others, I have basically given up on...

Iankahler Loc: Seattle WA

Just wanted to say hello to you guys …. let you know that tho I have been here for a while and I have posted some work and commented on others, I have basically given up on getting my camera in my hands.
I enjoy coming here and looking at the wonderful examples of creativity, but I just don't feel ANY confidence in my own work any more.
So I guess I am saying... keep posting folks... I enjoy looking.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Iankahler wrote:

Just wanted to say hello to you guys …. let you know that tho I have been here for a while and I have posted some work and commented on others, I have basically given up on getting my camera in my hands.
I enjoy coming here and looking at the wonderful examples of creativity, but I just don't feel ANY confidence in my own work any more.
So I guess I am saying... keep posting folks... I enjoy looking.

Why the lack of confidence?

tsca Loc: USA

Iankahler wrote:

Just wanted to say hello to you guys …. let you know that tho I have been here for a while and I have posted some work and commented on others, I have basically given up on getting my camera in my hands.
I enjoy coming here and looking at the wonderful examples of creativity, but I just don't feel ANY confidence in my own work any more.
So I guess I am saying... keep posting folks... I enjoy looking.

I just looked at some of your previous posts and don't see why you're losing confidence. Lighten up on yourself and keep shooting!

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Some times it seems that we hit a plateau and can not make the next step at times. You have some interesting and good work posted. Maybe a breather and some time and study and some new techniques would help you move on. I seem have the same problem at times, maybe it is burn out when we push our selves to hard.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Iankahler wrote:

Just wanted to say hello to you guys …. let you know that tho I have been here for a while and I have posted some work and commented on others, I have basically given up on getting my camera in my hands.
I enjoy coming here and looking at the wonderful examples of creativity, but I just don't feel ANY confidence in my own work any more.
So I guess I am saying... keep posting folks... I enjoy looking.

A physical disability??
If not - just keep shooting and have fun! Enjoy photography for what it can do.
(I don't care if NatGeo people won't go WOW over my photos, I take them for the fun and memories.
Sometimes I have really nice ones, sometimes not so much. Sometimes I'm creative, sometimes yuck.)

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Keep shooting. Enjoy the time spent doing it. None of us like all the images we take. I cull about 80%. Try new things and just have fun. See what happens when you step outside your bounds. For me, it's all about the pleasure of shooting. Hope to see you post something.

Iankahler Loc: Seattle WA

ermmmm no physical disability.... more like an intense disappointment with my results when I do photograph something. I am not really sure why. I feel like I am looking for something that is extraordinary, but I have no idea how to get to that "road". I don't really want to give up. The artist is in me.... I can feel it. But I also feel like I am sitting here in my den, paints in hand with a black white canvas and no $^&^ idea what to paint. Interpretation: open camera bag, get out camera, stare at it for 5 minutes, and put it away again. :)

Maybe I have become WAY too self critical.... maybe I am burned out right now? The answer just isn't here right now.

Ian

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

Keep going, try different things, anything until something tickles your fancy enough to stay with it for a while.
How many hours a day, days in a week does it take to excel at ANYTHING? You start with a first ‘sketch’ of an idea and work and rework it from that. And you have to practice as often as possible, as long as possible, until you can make a ‘breakthrough’ in your vision and point of view.
Alexy Brodovich made Avedon reshoot pairs of shoes for months and months before he gave him an assignment!

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

Keep going, try different things, anything until something tickles your fancy enough to stay with it for a while.
How many hours a day, days in a week does it take to excel at ANYTHING? You start with a first ‘sketch’ of an idea and work and rework it from that. And you have to practice as often as possible, as long as possible, until you can make a ‘breakthrough’ in your vision and point of view.
Alexy Brodovich made Avedon reshoot pairs of shoes for months and months before he gave him an assignment!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Iankahler wrote:

Just wanted to say hello to you guys …. let you know that tho I have been here for a while and I have posted some work and commented on others, I have basically given up on getting my camera in my hands.
I enjoy coming here and looking at the wonderful examples of creativity, but I just don't feel ANY confidence in my own work any more.
So I guess I am saying... keep posting folks... I enjoy looking.

Perhaps you should put your camera down for a while. Find something else to occupy your time and then in the new year revisit the camera.

gnadeau80 Loc: Rowley,MA

I don't think we see our own photos in the the same view as we see others. I believe that we are much more critical of our own than of others even if they are of the same quality. I for one do this often, the old wish I could take pictures like that feeling. In reality you do and we all take our fair share of not so good pictures.

AlanW Loc: Upstate NY

Iankahler wrote:

Just wanted to say hello to you guys …. let you know that tho I have been here for a while and I have posted some work and commented on others, I have basically given up on getting my camera in my hands.
I enjoy coming here and looking at the wonderful examples of creativity, but I just don't feel ANY confidence in my own work any more.
So I guess I am saying... keep posting folks... I enjoy looking.

I'm kind of a newbie here, but looking at your posts, I think your work is excellent. Could be your feeling is a result of your friend leaving town. Rainy season starting doesn't help either. Trying photographic techniques that you haven't tried before may spark the creative soul once again. Maybe macro, panoramas, IR, etc.. Joining a local club is a good idea also. I recently joined one and it reinvigorated my photographic desires. Hope this helps. Wish you good luck.

Alan

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Hang in there!

mikebevans1

I looked at previous pictures, they are very good. I think you are too hard on yourself. Keep shooting!!

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Keep shooting, it is not about confidence it is more about enjoying what you are doing.