leatherhelmets Loc: Center Conway, NH

We all know Photography has changed over the past 10 -15 years. Eastman Kodak is about dead. Everything is digital and Photoshop enables us to make the photographs we couldn't really shoot. I have two questions....
1) When you go out shooting, how many shots do you take on average and what percentage of those are keepers? (different than film days where you were forced to think a shot through before you took and and then had to wait to see if you got it right)
2) Give me two things you like about photography today and two things you hate about it.

leatherhelmets Loc: Center Conway, NH

I'll go first.

1) I probably average 150 shots per session and if 5-10 % are keepers, I'm having a good day.

2) I like the fact that we can shoot more photos and more people seem to be trying their hand at it. I don't like the fact that I feel I've become lazy in my photography and I don't like the fact that I don't feel like I can believe anything I see in photos because of photoshop.

Look forward to everyones input.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

1) I usually take a couple of hundred shots per outting. About 10% are keepers. I still approach photography as I did in the days of film. I try to get the shot right with the camera so minimal post processing is needed.

2) The cost of digital film is great. Once the picture is setup, I take several shots in case something like, someone closed their eyes. Cost is one advantage and the second is the freedom to experiment with settings and see instant results. I remember trying out a new technique using up a whole roll and having to wait to see the results.

What do I not like, I love the solitude of working in the darkroom and watching the photos appear right before my eyes. The computer just does not have the same appeal. Secondly, I miss experimenting with pushing the ASA on a roll of film. I remember when I did not have the time to develope the film myself and having to paint my 35mm film cartridges black so the developing lab would process according to my instructions instead of by the film type on the cartridge.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good question. In my case, it varies greatly, depending on what I am shooting. If I want several angles, that adds to the count. I might also experiment with exposure. My last quick trip out, I shot 35 and kept 8, for about 22%. Sometimes, I'll shoot in Continuous mode, and that ups the total count quite a bit.

On the other hand, sometimes I just want a picture of something - or several things - and artistic quality doesn't matter. In a case like that, I would keep 90% or more.

This is so different from film days. As a kid, my Brownie took 8 pictures on a roll of 127.

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

I have tried both methods and now try to land somewhere at a point that gives me options but is not excessive. Am not a wild shooter but will not hesitate to take five or six of the same subject varying only slightly. Sometimes may shoot fewer than ten and other times more than 200 or 300. On average I probably am satisfied with 20 to 30 % of the shots.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

1) a typical afternoon session I will take 24 - 32 images of those 4-6 will be keepers.

2) nothing to say here

leatherhelmets Loc: Center Conway, NH

Harold,

Younger folks on this site want to know what a "film cartridge" is. lol. Thanks for playing along. Great answer.

leatherhelmets Loc: Center Conway, NH

Good hit rate Jerry....impressive. So which do you prefer...film or digital? I was a reluctant convert, but I've grown to appreciate the flexibility digital provides.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

#1 -- Depends on what I am shooting. If landscape, clouds, etc then I may shoot anywhere from 20 to 200 shots with over 80% keepers.
If I am shooting birds, I might take 10 to 100 shots with maybe 25% keepers because they tend to move so quickly and flit about all the time.

#2 -- Really enjoy being able to more accurately see the effects of adjusting exposure before and immediately after taking the shot. Also lets me know whether or not I captured the elusive birds right then so I can hang around to keep trying if I missed what I was actually looking for.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I haven't shot film in so long, I can't remember when, and I have no desire to use it.

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

I like this question, I would say on a shoot average 200 shots, 10% turn out great 20-30% good. Some of the rest I will keep for digital manipulation at a later date the rest in the bin.
LIKES.
1. I like to experiment in my photography so trial and error is a big thing with me and in the film days it cost me a fortune
2. I can see my results immediately and can adjust accordingly
DISLIKES.
1. Everybody who owns a camera these days think they are a photographer
2. A lot of people take 100's of photos just hoping they have 1 memorable shot, instead of getting to know there camera inside out and getting that shot 1st or 2nd time.

Zero_Equals_Infinity Loc: Canada

I love the ability to instantly see the results, and then try again if anything is sub-optimal. I love the cost of taking each shot is zero once the upfront costs are paid.

I hate that it encourages volume shooting over spending the time to get it right for each shot. A corollary is that with film and especially large format film it made me slow down and pay greater attention. And yes, the ratio of acceptable and great shots is lower with digital for me.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

What if an artist painted 200 canvases and only 10% were keepers??? lol just saying :)

Linda Ewing Loc: Lincolnshire,UK

I used to shoot so much that when it came to PS or LR4 i couldn't make up my mind, I liked so many, I actually get on my own nerves. I get irritated having to choose from so many.

These days I still take more than I should But I try to limit myself - I then still find it difficult to delete some of the ones that are ridiculous to keep.

The other thing I find that I actually delay taking them off the card and putting them onto the computer as I know it is always a verrrrry looooong session in front of me.

Solomon Loc: Australia

I rather like the old days when YOU HAD TO TRY HARD to get a good exposure,sharp focus etc. You did you best on the spot cos you knew if you didnt you would have to spend eternity in the darkroom with diffrent grade of paper/chemicial mixes to try and save your photo. Today I see a lot of people , just shoot away in the general direction and fix it later in ''photoshop''..... not the way my friend,.... Ok if something unforseen happens ...you can use photoshop to save your bacon, but to just blaze away on auto all day... even A MONKEY with a camera on those setting would get some good shots....(Im sure you are better than a monkey..realy ) Im afraid I'm from the old school.. get your apertue ,speed,Iso correct/matching up.. then your photo work WILL improve in leaps and bounds.Ok sometimes photoshop and those like it, are handy to cover a small sin, or abit of paper you didnt see at the time. .or white light reading cos unless you have a light temperture meter in your pocket you will not notice it... cos your own eyes AUTOMATICLY ajust for that with out you noticing it.
So back to the drawing board.. The main advantage I see in digitial is you can see your results straight away and take another to cover yourself. But with only 256 shades to make up a photo ... digitial has a very long way to go before it catches up to film.