SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I hope Manuel is not your gardener.

b top gun

My mantra now is "Have Nikon; Will Travel" I have a totally crappy retail job that has soured me on my original passion....fly fishing....which used to be my "go to" way of decompressing; have fly fished once in the past three years. Have been into photography since our younger daughter was born in 1975 using Nikon 35mm film cameras. My dad enjoyed taking his Argus C3? G3? everywhere, maybe some of that rubbed off??? Went to Puget Sound in July and did the left coast from Crescent City, CA to Astoria, OR after Labor Day...just to take a break and escape the job hell hole thing.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

That drive on 101 up the Oregon coast is one of my favorites, lots of spots for great photo ops, Three Sisters, Devil’s Churn, Seal Rock, Devil’s Punchbowl and lots of lighthouses. Just that drive heading north through Cape Perpetua is breathtaking.

User ID

Why “Why ?” ?

Why not “Why not ?” ?

old poet

I'm a gadget person, and cameras are gadgets that early caught my attention. Then as biologist, my subjects were pretty much built in. My wife noted some years ago that there were no people in my photos. Oh, I've recorded our family over the years as expected, but nature: landscape, critters, etc. is my subject. Birds, of course. I've been trying to get that one great shot of a bird in flight. I only photograph for pleasure and I post some of my images on Facebook. I've also spent many hours on Adobe CCs learning curves.

Carl1024 Loc: Kaneohe, HI 96744

what camera/lens took the shot?
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lreisner Loc: Union,NJ

It depends on your definition of style. I believe all photographers, and artist for that matter have a style. What you photograph and how you see the world dictates your style. It is kind of like a finger print. Your style may not be conventionally defined, but it is there. The real point is that whatever style we use, we do not define ourselves by them. Styles can change and shift over time as well, especially as we learn new techniques, change equipment or grow older.

If I had to define my style, I would call it street photography with a tad of portraiture thrown in. What I mean by that is that even if I am shooting a wedding, I will shoot it through the eyes of a street photographer. I do not do studio photography but just about everything else is fair game, which is not to say I would not do studio photography. I just do not have the equipment for it.

I agree with you, if you were marketing yourself for a job, you may need to define and promote your style in order to get the job. It is also useful to understand ones style when entering contest. Just because a photographer has a style also does not mean one can not produce work outside of that style. To do that it is helpful to be self aware of your style in the first place, since a lot that determines our style is probably self-conscious. When taking pictures, most people work on auto pilot, even when planning a shoot.

I too shoot for my own pleasure.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Bill, Having attended several "symposiums" regarding art in general, I remember one which focused on children and art. That early criticism can totally ruin a child's interest in pursuing drawing/painting.

A question asked to a young artist regarding what a "painting" was supposed to can yield a variety of responses to the answer. The worst reply to that explanation is that doesn't look anything like that. That will kill an interest quite quickly.

The supportive reply would be, "What are these things in this part of the drawing?". Let the child explain the whats and whys something is there. Then a discussion from the child's viewpoint and inquiries regarding how things could be improved or enhanced inspire more creative thought on the part of the child. This can prove to be very inspirational and supportive.

BTW, I received my first "good" camera at age 5, as well. It was a Leica IIIf someone had traded in on a Kodak Retina. Being a very careful kid, my mom thought it would be a nice present to give me. She negotiated with the Kodak store manager and that was my present for either my birthday or Christmas present that year. I still have it and it still works quite well. Though, it was rebuilt about 10 years ago.
--Bob

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

1. What initially attracted you to photography?

Hiking and the love of the great outdoors. This inspired me to become the first person to fully photograph the Great Western Tiers, Tasmania. Many areas have since been protected in National Parks.

2. What do you do or want to do with your photography?

I've published nine coffee table books and two calendars for the past 24 years.

3. Do you have a photographic style that is recognizable by others or simply defines your photography?

I used a large format camera for 25 years and still shoot as if I still use one. I try to draw the viewer into the background by using depth and a balanced amount of foreground. My biggest influences where David Muench, America. Peter Dombrovskis, Australia.

old poet

Nikon 200-500, cropped

srt101fan

If you come to a fork in the road....just turn around and go back....

tempaussie

[quote=Dennis833]1. What initially attracted you to photography?

Hiking and the love of the great outdoors. This inspired me to become the first person to fully photograph the Great Western Tiers, Tasmania. Many areas have since been protected in National Parks.


Dennis,

I love Tasmania, been there several times. My wife is from Ipswich, Qld and one of our favorite spots in Tassie is the Cradle Mt. area.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Sounds good from my perspective.
Mundy

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The approach to child learning works for everyone. My journalism teacher in high school was "kindly brutal" like that, having me verbally analyze my photos she didn't like, and having me express the obvious ways I could make them better. Then and only then would she make suggestions I hadn't thought of. We had enormous respect for each other.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

And nobody knows what you’re talking about because you didn’t click “quote reply”. Then again that’s par for the course. We never know what you’re talking about.