Ups and Downs

L

Lawrence

Senior Member
Just spent an hour looking at images on this site and ended off by watching Pat's (RockyNH) slide show on his website.

There are some really great photos all over this forum and I could probably spend 2 days or more just looking and dreaming!

They really lift one's spirit to know that such great photos can be taken - even with an entry level camera - but …
they are also a bit demotivating as I wonder if I will ever find the time to learn the skills you guys have and get just half as good.

I have a lot of really crappy photos that need to be binned and just sorting through them and deciding which ones to keep takes forever.

Now I am watching a 2.5 hour video on posing that someone recommended!

My day is totally taken up learning and not doing!!!!!!

PS I don't know how some of you guys survive in such cold climes.
 
R

Rick M

Senior Member
Just keep shooting and learning Lawrence! If I get 2 really good shots out of 100 I'm happy. Three years ago I did not know what HDR was, in the past 5 weeks I've sold 145 HDR prints at shows. My 3 top sellers were taken with the same camera you have, a D5100. It took me those three years to feel confident about my work and I've been through many ups and downs also. We're all here to help you and continue learning ourselves.
 
Last edited:
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
ShootRaw said:
Then get out and do^^^^!!!!!
Click to expand...

Still got an hour of the video to watch!

Just keep shooting and learning Lawrence! If I get 2 really good shots out of 100 I'm happy. Three years ago I did not know what HDR was, in the past 5 weeks I've sold 145 HDR prints at shows. My 3 top sellers were taken with the same camera you have, a D5100. It took me those three years to feel confident about my work and I've been through many ups and downs also. We're all here to help you and continue learning ourselves.
Click to expand...


I realise that but it is the three years!

2 Good shots is brilliant but man those other 98 are freaking me out!!!!!!

But all good fun. I will be going out a bit later after this video is over.
 
R

Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
Just don't give up if you enjoy taking pictures and learning. If it stops being fun then take a break. Also, change the type of photographic interest say from portrait to landscape, find your niche and what you enjoy.
 
Michael J.

Michael J.

Senior Member
You know that you've got lots of great photos too. Do your way, capture what you think is great and share. This will make ppl like your photos cos it is your seeing, your story-telling photos.
 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
siamthai1 said:
You know that you've got lots of great photos too. Do your way, capture what you think is great and share. This will make ppl like your photos cos it is your seeing, your story-telling photos.
Click to expand...

Michael your photos are most encouraging especially as we have the same camera, so I know it can be done. Thanks for your kind words

​And yes I am pleased with quite a few of my photos and probably my fiercest critic - but that is thanks to all the wonderful images on here.

I swear I have seen stuff on here that could easily be in National Geographic.
 
Last edited:
M

Moab Man

Senior Member
Lawrence, we are rapidly approaching the end of the year, which means a new 2014 Project 365 opportunity will be before you. If you really want to improve your photography then take part and be committed. I did it and can't express how much it improved my skills. Primary reason? After the first 30 days you run out of the easy stuff to shoot that's right in front of you. At that point you have to start getting creative. Ultimately, the days I didn't have something to shoot forced me to try something new. Yeah, there were days I just didn't want to shoot, but the commitment is what will make you better.

By the way, those days I tried something completely new and it failed... I still learned alot! And 60% of my photos in my Project 365 were done with the D5100 and not my D7100.
 
D

Deezey

Senior Member
Heehee.....you think it's rough? Digital has nothing on film. Don't sweat the 98 you don't keep. Look at them...learn from them...and then click them away. Staying focused on the bad ones will wreck your confidence and creativity. Just look....don't dwell.
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
The one thing I can say to you is to just have fun and enjoy what you do. Once you do that then you will start seeing the results you want.

Study, shoot, work hard

Practice, Practice, Practice
 
M

Moab Man

Senior Member
dramtastic said:
I binned 20 shots of the same bird yesterday. Good light, no obstacles, never moved. Not a single one was good.
Click to expand...

Don't you just hate that when you take all those pictures only to realize you still have the lens cap on and it's not just a large black bird you're too zoomed in on :cool:
 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
Not even drunk here! Fosters not me.

OK just got back from a 2 hour walk along the Waikato - thats a river.

Left camera at home to reflect and I swear there were photo opportunities along the way.

Just saying that in case I bin them all!! ;)

Jokes aside took about 40 odd shots trying all sorts of settings with my new 18 - 105mm. I really like this lens.
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
I did a photo shoot a few days ago. Took about 70 shots. I kept 18 of them. Customer loves them. Just keep shooting, Lawrence. It doesn't just happen overnight. It takes time and patience and commitment.
 
Top