When did you start becoming happier with your photography?

Panza

Senior Member
Hi guys, I'm a little lost from my experiences this year and appreciate some help.

TLDR; When did you start becoming happier with your photography? After how long were you shooting for when you felt this way?


I had been shooting with one digital camera for years, then my cellphone camera, and then a cheap DSLR, all on automatic for years. Traveling, car events, casual hang outs with friends. I found it really fun so I started bringing my DSLR everywhere, the quality was much better and every now and then I could get a picture that was really great.

Little over a year ago I attended a company party for a job in which I was newly hired. I brought my D7000. Someone asked how much I charged to take pictures of their event and asked me about another event. I was scared, and it hit me. I'm not that good (or nearly as good as other people on Flickr, Tumblr, and professional photographers). I'm just a shy guy who brought a DSLR and a kit lens to a company party because I had just started and I knew next to no one, but I could hide behind my camera so I wouldn't be seen playing on my phone all night. They only thought I was a professional because they had never seen me before and I had a camera.

I took pictures of the event and the next because I felt up to the task and tried my best. I posted the pictures up for the company for free and I had a lot of positive feedback and more event offerings. Even though I was scared, I suddenly wanted to get better. I bought a cheap 35mm F1.8 DX lens for the speed (and cheap cost) and kept the 18-105 kit lens for the zoom (just incase). I continued shooting for prices that seemed low because I wasn't confident in myself.

I was offered to shoot custom furniture products for a company and in a scared rutt, bought a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 because I heard I would need a wide angle lens (now one of my most favorite lenses). I also bought some simple lights and fill flash. Nothing beyond what I profited. I continued shooting events until finally here in winter, I've stopped being asked to shoot events (until next year).

I started shooting for enjoyment again, landscapes, I missed it. It's given me time to get out into the city and nature, reflect on my photos, my technique, and my gear. I've started really analyzing what can I could do/buy to be better. I feel a little bit intimidated by all these great shots that wedding and other event photographers take. It's so much fun, but I want to deliver a product worthy of what people want from me. I'm honestly in a bit of a depressive slump. How long were you all shooting until you became more confident, proud of your work, more consistent, etc. Feel free to write your long histories of how you got to where you are now, no matter how large or small, I'll read it all. Thanks for reading my long post.

- Pan
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
When I fully understood three things:
....
1. That photos of beautiful things does not equal beautiful photos.
2. That really good photography requires effort and whole lot of it.
3. The absolute and crucial importance of understanding composition.​

....
 

Panza

Senior Member
short answer: When I bought my D3
Lol. I have a FF set up now and yes it feels great to shoot with a larger sensor because it makes me feel more "pro". I still use my D7000 for the Tokina and because I can't afford a second FF. The D750 came out after I purchased a used D610, but no regrets here.
 

Panza

Senior Member
When I fully understood three things:
....
1. That photos of beautiful things does not equal beautiful photos.
2. That really good photography requires effort and whole lot of it.
3. The absolute and crucial importance of understanding composition.​

....
Composition is something I'm always trying to work on, but that first one is really true and surprised me.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
When my work made (or makes) someone smile. And I include myself as a someone. In some respects, when it comes to my work, my smile is more important than the others.
 

Rob Bye

Senior Member
For me, it was when I joined a local photo club, back around 1988.

That year they had an excellent program of instruction, with a series of informative guest speakers, who helped demystify the process of capturing good images. Even in the internet era, I still advise new photographers to join their local photo club. I still keep in touch with a few I've been a member of over the years.
 
For me it was when I decided to shoot what I wanted, post process how I wanted and to shoot to make me happy and not everyone else. If other people like what I shoot I am happy but that is secondary.

Being an grumpy retired old fart has its advantages.
 

Panza

Senior Member
When my work made (or makes) someone smile. And I include myself as a someone. In some respects, when it comes to my work, my smile is more important than the others.
I was surprised when people gave me positive feed back on my photos and such. My own smile is the most important indeed, especially when I do it 80% for fun.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
That's a loaded question. I was happy with photography when I posted my first shot, and I wouldn't have posted it if I didn't see some merit in it.

I got HAPPIER when I bought my first DSLR.
I got HAPPIER when I took my first class.
I got HAPPIER when I started learning some basic editing skills.
I got HAPPIER when I looked back and saw I was improving.
I got HAPPIER when others told me they liked my shots.
I got HAPPIER when I sold my first artistic print (unsolicited request).
I got HAPPIER when I booked my first family photo session.
I got HAPPIER when I won a challenge.
I got HAPPIER with my first repeat customer.
I got HAPPIER with the first shot that didn't need a crop.
I got HAPPIER when...

Ok, I'll stop. Every day, I'm improving and growing into new skills, which all started with the joy I found in capturing something pleasing to look at. With that in mind, every day that passes, I get happier with my photography. It all REALLY took off when I got the first DSLR, though, so that's why I started the "HAPPIER" time line there.

Sometimes, yes, I get irritated that I wasn't able to capture that "one" shot the way I intended, and with every portrait session, I often wish I "could have" gotten a better shot here or there, but who doesn't? It fades. At least, if you're truly into it for the joy of shooting and not just trying to make it a job. It doesn't take all that long for me to get motivated again, though, to continue with my improvement along the way as I still revel in my enjoyment of this art form. Every time I line up a shot, and snap it, with just a glance at the LCD, something stirs. When I get home and import the photos, the joy builds. When I post pics, and the occasional "like" appears, it's a momentary euphoria.

Yes, you've got to be honest with yourself and mark CRAP as CRAP, but just because you're not 100% satisfied doesn't mean it's crap, it just means you have a bit of road left to travel. You should also make sure you have honest people in your life that will shoot straight with you. If you think you're good, but you're putting out CRAP, you need someone who will tell it like it is instead of setting you up for failure. AND, even if it hurts your feelings, you need to make sure you're prepared to listen without the typical defensive reaction.

DON'T GET IN THE RUT OF COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS! It's an easy way to get yourself into a dark place. 1) You can compare yourself to CRAP, and get an unjustified pride in yourself for being the greatest, and you're gonna fall hard. 2) Typically, those who you view as "better" have YEARS of experience and/or education on you, and as such, should be better. (some aren't, but see rule #1)

Man, I could go on and on... but I won't.

Are the people that asked you to shoot pics for xyz event genuinely pleased? Then be happy about that. Did you get word of mouth business, or a request to shoot something because of past work? Then be happy about that. Did you get REPEAT requests because of past product/performance? Then be happy about that. Are you STILL driven to improve or better your work? Definitely be happy about that!

Is this "hobby" regularly a larger source of stress than it is a joy? Better yourself so it isn't, or walk away.

Either way, carry on, my friend. Carry on! (and sorry for the ramble)
 

J-see

Senior Member
I'm enjoying the whole process. Trying things out, pushing what can be pushed. The shots themselves I care less about. Sure I try to do better each time but I have no emotional investment in my shots; they're just a byproduct of what I truly enjoy about photography.

I'm too old to wanna be an arteest and too much of a realist to think being a pro is constant excitement and fun. Everything I do is solely to amuse myself.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
I doubt it is a response that you seek, or even about what you asked, but of course camera skills, and ability to select the scene and situation, and composition, etc, are all certainly important. Things to be learned. Practice, practice, practice. As they say, the easy way is to stand in front of beautiful things. :)

My experience was doing dark room work many many many years ago. :) So, I have had time to acquire a thought or two. Which really does not happen naturally or automatically. We can spend decades as a beginner. Instead, to learn, we have to work at it, specifically to THINK about what we are doing - and to learn to look and SEE what we are doing. But my point, then, as now, we also need a certain amount of output control, to "package" the picture the right way... to get it to the viewing stage.

And for me, digital was a new day that brought in tremendous advantage... so easy, so fast, see the picture in the camera at the scene, now see what you got, create what you want to see, and no darkroom needed. Art is of course still art (and quite difficult for most), but the mechanics are almost trivial now.

However, now we also need computer skills... we need a bit of editor work, probably Lightroom and Raw today, to be able to get the final product we want. I don't mean "EDIT", nothing remotely drastic or Photoshopped... I mean just the basic ability to easily correct white balance and exposure, to create a decent picture, and to output the right file for the specific use. Understanding pixels, and pixels per inch, and white balance, and such things. It should all be second nature.

But it definitely is a final step, and it worries me that there are many that will drastically avoid any such computer job that only takes others maybe 60 seconds to make it perfect. Learn to be a 60 second guy. :)
 

Panza

Senior Member
That's a loaded question. I was happy with photography when I posted my first shot, and I wouldn't have posted it if I didn't see some merit in it.

I got HAPPIER when I bought my first DSLR.
I got HAPPIER when I took my first class.
I got HAPPIER when I started learning some basic editing skills.
I got HAPPIER when I looked back and saw I was improving.
I got HAPPIER when others told me they liked my shots.
I got HAPPIER when I sold my first artistic print (unsolicited request).
I got HAPPIER when I booked my first family photo session.
I got HAPPIER when I won a challenge.
I got HAPPIER with my first repeat customer.
I got HAPPIER with the first shot that didn't need a crop.
I got HAPPIER when...

Ok, I'll stop. Every day, I'm improving and growing into new skills, which all started with the joy I found in capturing something pleasing to look at. With that in mind, every day that passes, I get happier with my photography. It all REALLY took off when I got the first DSLR, though, so that's why I started the "HAPPIER" time line there.

Sometimes, yes, I get irritated that I wasn't able to capture that "one" shot the way I intended, and with every portrait session, I often wish I "could have" gotten a better shot here or there, but who doesn't? It fades. At least, if you're truly into it for the joy of shooting and not just trying to make it a job. It doesn't take all that long for me to get motivated again, though, to continue with my improvement along the way as I still revel in my enjoyment of this art form. Every time I line up a shot, and snap it, with just a glance at the LCD, something stirs. When I get home and import the photos, the joy builds. When I post pics, and the occasional "like" appears, it's a momentary euphoria.

Yes, you've got to be honest with yourself and mark CRAP as CRAP, but just because you're not 100% satisfied doesn't mean it's crap, it just means you have a bit of road left to travel. You should also make sure you have honest people in your life that will shoot straight with you. If you think you're good, but you're putting out CRAP, you need someone who will tell it like it is instead of setting you up for failure. AND, even if it hurts your feelings, you need to make sure you're prepared to listen without the typical defensive reaction.

DON'T GET IN THE RUT OF COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS! It's an easy way to get yourself into a dark place. 1) You can compare yourself to CRAP, and get an unjustified pride in yourself for being the greatest, and you're gonna fall hard. 2) Typically, those who you view as "better" have YEARS of experience and/or education on you, and as such, should be better. (some aren't, but see rule #1)

Man, I could go on and on... but I won't.

Are the people that asked you to shoot pics for xyz event genuinely pleased? Then be happy about that. Did you get word of mouth business, or a request to shoot something because of past work? Then be happy about that. Did you get REPEAT requests because of past product/performance? Then be happy about that. Are you STILL driven to improve or better your work? Definitely be happy about that!

Is this "hobby" regularly a larger source of stress than it is a joy? Better yourself so it isn't, or walk away.

Either way, carry on, my friend. Carry on! (and sorry for the ramble)
Thanks for the reply. I think you're right, I should be happy that people take notice and want me to help them. Outside of events, There are a lot of bits of fun and joy.
The process of going out to shoot forum challenges is particularly entertaining for me. Thanks for reminding me that its about the joy of it more than the product and that the results will come as I gain experience. Thanks for the uplifting reply : )!
 

Panza

Senior Member
I doubt it is a response that you seek, or even about what you asked, but of course camera skills, and ability to select the scene and situation, and composition, etc, are all certainly important. Things to be learned. Practice, practice, practice. As they say, the easy way is to stand in front of beautiful things. :)

My experience was doing dark room work many many many years ago. :) So, I have had time to acquire a thought or two. Which really does not happen naturally or automatically. We can spend decades as a beginner. Instead, to learn, we have to work at it, specifically to THINK about what we are doing - and to learn to look and SEE what we are doing. But my point, then, as now, we also need a certain amount of output control, to "package" the picture the right way... to get it to the viewing stage.

And for me, digital was a new day that brought in tremendous advantage... so easy, so fast, see the picture in the camera at the scene, now see what you got, create what you want to see, and no darkroom needed. Art is of course still art (and quite difficult for most), but the mechanics are almost trivial now.

However, now we also need computer skills... we need a bit of editor work, probably Lightroom and Raw today, to be able to get the final product we want. I don't mean "EDIT", nothing remotely drastic or Photoshopped... I mean just the basic ability to easily correct white balance and exposure, to create a decent picture, and to output the right file for the specific use. Understanding pixels, and pixels per inch, and white balance, and such things. It should all be second nature.

But it definitely is a final step, and it worries me that there are many that will drastically avoid any such computer job that only takes others maybe 60 seconds to make it perfect. Learn to be a 60 second guy. :)
Really, it takes you 60 seconds??
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Really, it takes you 60 seconds??

Sure. I don't time it, but yes, it can go fast. Very special pictures will see more care, but speaking of like a Baltic vacation with 1200 pictures, plus 500 on the wifes compact, yes, one evening. You still might come back and work on a few special ones more, for other purposes.

Buying a USB 3.0 card reader speeds that up. When outputting all the JPG file batch, you can go get coffee or glance at the TV news.

But opening one and tweaking exposure, what? Five seconds? You see what it looks like.
White balance can be five seconds or could be much longer. :) Again, you see what it looks like (but yes, there are some tough ones).
Cropping, say five seconds? Again, you see what it looks like.
All of these steps might involve a second try, to see possibilities, but there is not much to it.
In many cases, you might do many similar pictures in one click (at least with Adobe Raw).

My concern is those that simply will not consider doing this necessary step.
 
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wornish

Senior Member
Don't want to derail this thread but I am surprised by the number of people who post about the time they spend changing the white balance in their shots. Trust your camera.

I have never sold a shot :( Yet ......but building a group of recommenders. It's not my goal to make a living from photography but just enjoy learning and maybe fund more glass.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Don't want to derail this thread but I am surprised by the number of people who post about the time they spend changing the white balance in their shots. Trust your camera.

Forgive me, but either you're joking, or don't know or don't care. :)

You clearly cannot mean Auto WB. :)

And Flash WB has one choice, but flashes vary color with power level.

Incandescent has one choice, but there are many types of bulbs, and my cameras don't match any of them.

Bright Daylight has the best chance, but still there is sunset and haze or fog or clouds or shade..

My cameras are simply not trustworthy. :)
 
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