CHG_CANON wrote:
As we look back and consider 2020, how did your photography change? We probably all made less trips. Did you visit / revisit new subjects closer to home? Did you change your camera bodies or focal lengths? What changes will you make for 2021?
What is a resolution?
A firm decision to do or not to do something.
Will you learn to better use your current equipment?
Will you learn your processing software?
Will you organize your legacy images?
Will you organize your new images?
Will you sell your unused and outdated equipment?
Will you ask for help?
Will you answer a request for help?
Will you use selective focus with an off-center AF point placed specifically on the subject?
Will you investigate higher ISOs?
Will you use your flash?
Will you use your tripod?
Will you try Back Button Focus?
Will you change to mirroless?
Will you create an image over the next 365 days that achieves your resolution?
As we look back and consider 2020, how did your ph... (
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Great list. 2020 slowed me down on travel to create images.
I agree with all but have no interest in mirrorless. Hope to get the vacine by April 2021.Maybe catch up with you?
Happy New Year everyone! I think I've been outside the city limits just once this calendar year, and that was only when I walked from an L stop into Evanston to visit a cemetery. I've shot film much of the year, letting that be something 'fresh' while investigating both new (for me) and old standards throughout the city for subjects. For the urban wildlife I found in these travels, I've developed a bit of gear lust for a longer lens. Maybe I'll resist, maybe not.
Robertl594 wrote:
Great topic. Travel stopped, pretty much for us all. Had to revamp photo habits. I did, as a matter of course, update my bodies to the newest version of available cameras. I do this to not lose all value of them when new ones come out.
More importantly, I took up macro and micro photography. Can do this in the comfort of my own own and while alone. Really did a deep dive into it. Engineered and built special devices to hold subject material, using stack shot rail and rotary table on a custom machined adjustable aluminum plate with 1/4-20 tapped holes to mount all quick release Arca Swiss plates and ball heads. Learned new software for focus stacking. Opened up a whole new world. Very interesting and new discipline and learning curve. Happy to share experience and recipes.
Great topic. Travel stopped, pretty much for us al... (
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Great write-up and visual Robert! Usually in our cold winters, I try our two indoor conservatories in Chicago for plant macros. Alas, it seems that won't be an opportunity this winter. I've been missing my gorilla and bird friends at the local zoos too for a major change in my subjects in 2020.
CHG_CANON wrote:
As we look back and consider 2020, how did your photography change? We probably all made less trips. Did you visit / revisit new subjects closer to home? Did you change your camera bodies or focal lengths? What changes will you make for 2021?
What is a resolution?
A firm decision to do or not to do something.
Will you learn to better use your current equipment?
Will you learn your processing software?
Will you organize your legacy images?
Will you organize your new images?
Will you sell your unused and outdated equipment?
Will you ask for help?
Will you answer a request for help?
Will you use selective focus with an off-center AF point placed specifically on the subject?
Will you investigate higher ISOs?
Will you use your flash?
Will you use your tripod?
Will you try Back Button Focus?
Will you change to mirroless?
Will you create an image over the next 365 days that achieves your resolution?
As we look back and consider 2020, how did your ph... (
show quote)
I will adopt the first five. Doing pretty good already with the rest of them.
Learn to use flash more effectively and creatively in daylight.
My first resolution is to take fewer, but BETTER photos.
My second is to TRY to learn processing (something I really fumble at)
miked46
Loc: Winter Springs, Florida
I like your suggestions quite a bit and yes, I will do more experimenting, and try to develop new skills, or improve others.
I resolve to use my Nikon D750 and D810 more, but still use the D500 for wildlife and birds.
I also resolve to start #Project365, where you take a photograph each day of the year with a critical look at what you are trying to learn about perspective, light, etc. Could be an iPhone or macro image of an insect in the dirt. It just teaches us to look and change perspectives, and sometimes the results are spectacular.
I also resolve to do a Sandoval County Big Year (NM) where I try to bird in various area within the county several times a week. Of course being a bird photographer, the Nikon D500 goes out with either the 500mm, the Sigma 150-600mm, or the 400mm. Heck, I bought them... better use them!
New Mexico Dave
alberio wrote:
I will not buy any new cameras or lenses until I am more proficient using the ones I have.
I said that last year 😔 hopefully I can make it happen this year ☺️
Great list. May I have permission to copy and paste to some friends of mine?
CHG_CANON wrote:
As we look back and consider 2020, how did your photography change? We probably all made less trips. Did you visit / revisit new subjects closer to home? Did you change your camera bodies or focal lengths? What changes will you make for 2021?
What is a resolution?
A firm decision to do or not to do something.
Will you learn to better use your current equipment?
Will you learn your processing software?
Will you organize your legacy images?
Will you organize your new images?
Will you sell your unused and outdated equipment?
Will you ask for help?
Will you answer a request for help?
Will you use selective focus with an off-center AF point placed specifically on the subject?
Will you investigate higher ISOs?
Will you use your flash?
Will you use your tripod?
Will you try Back Button Focus?
Will you change to mirroless?
Will you create an image over the next 365 days that achieves your resolution?
As we look back and consider 2020, how did your ph... (
show quote)
My resolution is to get off my sorry butt and shoot much more. It's amazing how small your chances are of getting a great image if you're not out trying. >Alan
First: Apologies if this appears to be a duplicate. I had started a message, got called away from the computer and now can't find it back.
So, my resolution for this year: I have had the Olympus OM-D E-M1 for some time. Nice camera. Never learned all that can be done with it.
Recently I got the OM-D E-M1 mark 3. Even nicer camera. A lot more can be done with this camera than with the E-M1.
I ordered Tony Phillips' book for this camera, and printed it out. "Bound" it with a plastic spiral (I'm fortunate to have the hole puncher for these spirals), after I put 20+ pages throughout the book printed with just dotted lines, to make notes. Did the same for the handbook offered by Olympus on-line.
Right now I have two hefty volumes sitting on the couch, right beside where I always sit.
My resolution is that this coming year I will at least read all the pages in both volumes. Will take notes on a small notepad, and later on put them on the lined pages in the books.
I believe that with getting to know my camera better, I will also become a better photographer.
Oh, and from my spot on the couch I can take test-shots of squirrels, birds and occasionally a cat, through the window right across from me!
For "emergencies" I have a small Lumix-Panasonic DMC-SZ1 in my handbag.
I have also decided that I will not buy any more "gear" for at least the next 12 months.
Esther
Since I teach only on Tuesday and Thursday, I'm dedicating Monday to study day of Affinity. There is so much to learn there, and can instantly use it. In fifteen years I learned so much about Photoshop, so now it is time to learn similar depth of Affinity. Oh, perhaps on Friday, which it is cold outside, I'm going to experiment more with macro photography.
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