Edmund Dworakowski

A friend told me to pull my head out of my ass, open my eyes and look around...

Martys Loc: Lubec, Maine

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In my situation I found that a self assignment was the best tool for improving my seeing and vision.

I selected a nearby favorite place and started making frequent visits there.
It doesn't take long to photograph ALL the obvious compositions.
Then things start getting interesting.
Dedication is important since the tendency to tire of the location will win out, return again and again and do some serious re visualizing and composing.
While it is nice to select a dynamic subject or place,...it is not essential.
If you have ever read any of Freeman Patterson's books or seen his work,...you will immediately see some serious dedication for very long time periods,...shooting some pretty mundane subjects.
But it's more about the involvement and your interactive seeing.
It's about persistence and making errors and experimenting.
In time you will start producing fresh ways of interpreting your subject or location.
I've been working my location going on three years now and haven't tired of it yet,...yeh it beats me up sometimes,...and it isn't easy being creative on demand or even at all,...sometimes.
But something happens to you in the process that is personal and eventually starts showing up in your compositions,...your forced to reach into yourself instead of walking away bored.

Years ago my wife and I taught photographic workshops and one of our techniques was to assign each photographer a 6 foot square area which they MUST either shoot IN ,....or FROM,..only. The had to work from that small area only.
Talk about some uncomfortable responses,...but at the end of the day,...some serious seeing started evolving and some great images were being produced.

Heres your chance to create a dream assignment.
Congratulations,....you just hired yourself for the assignment you have always dreamed of.

May not be of interest for every photographer,...but it will give you something to focus on,....pun intended.
Marty

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

Look at photographs, analyse them. Why do you like them? Why don’t you like them? If you are unable to do this with other peoples photographs how can you know when to press the shutter when looking through the viewfinder of your camera? Technique can be learnt. In the days of film I would have said learn how to develop the eye, developing the film can be learnt from a list of instructions.

JohninRockville Loc: Rockville, Indiana

Actually there are 3 experiences that changed me from a guy with a camera to a photographer.
#1 was acquiring a digital camera - giving me my first control over shooting to printing via my computer as opposed to those store prints that nobody cares how YOUR prints look.
#2 was joining a local photography club whose members were all experienced and talented members of the national/international photographic organization. (Australia)
#3 was my getting involved in local/national/international photographic competitions and seeing what tens of thousands of photographers around the world were doing and getting a bit of recognition for my own efforts.
I should add that recently joining this group has been inspiring as well - lots of talented members with kind and helpful advice.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Natural light and talented subjects.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

It's not technical. It's looking at thousands of photographs and thinking about what appeals and what does not-- and why.

Opinny Loc: Woodmere, NY

I think that now, I'm a better shooter, photographer... Not yet.

But been in this forum has had a big impact on my craft. I believe been a 'photographer' is someone who 'built' an image, buy a applying the fundamentals (aperture, shutter and ISO), as well as the tools (camera, lenses, light and post producción); and 'creativity' I think is something that we have to cultivate.

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

Study - Shoot - Evaluate _ repeat - - - - Enjoy if you don't quit.

StonyClove Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

When I started charging money for my photography services, my camera took on a new meaning.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Fill the frame.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

:thumbup: :thumbup: Yes, and having fun with it!

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot--all about time behind the lens.

s9ast

:thumbup: What Lighthouse said

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Patcience

Pentony Loc: Earth Traveller

practice, reading books and more practice