Next step for improving - recommendations

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

01/01/2016 12:22:45 PM · #1

Hi all.

I am looking for your suggestions and success stories. I am competent with most of camera settings (with the exception of a couple like ae-l,and bracketing that I just haven't used much). I can use Lightroom and can do the basics in Photoshop. I have a blog and a website, and have shot a senior photo session and a wedding. So I have covered most of the basics and feel a bit apathetic, even verging on depressed at times and find it difficult to pull out the camera and shoot.

My question for all of you - what would you recommend for a next area of focus for me to continue improving and growing and staying excited about photography?

Lighting? I have virtually no lighting skills. (And I do enjoy creating scenes/images at my house). But where do I start?
Work for Greater Photoshop skills?
Pick monthly themes and focus on active participation in shooting?
Something else?

What has worked for you?

Thanks for thoughts!
Julee

Message edited by author 2016-01-01 12:23:16.

giantmike

Canon EOS R6

01/01/2016 12:29:07 PM · #2

Do a 365 (or in this case, a 366) challenge.

I did that a few years back, and found it immensely rewarding in many different ways.
* I learned a lot about shooting in different conditions
* I learned to find interesting subjects wherever I was
* I learned new editing techniques as I got bored with some
* I go back to that set of images and relive my year. It was pretty cool.

At times it was difficult to get myself motivated to shoot something, but in the end, it was very rewarding.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

01/01/2016 12:54:50 PM · #3

I'm kind of apathetic at times now myself. I rarely go out shooting specifically for a challenge these days, just finding my challenge entries in the course of my life.

I find what works for me is combining photography with my other pastime of cycling. Most of my entries, even when not of bicycles, have been shot while out riding. My enthusiasm for the topic helps me to find some unique shots (though they seem to resonate more with my cycling friends than my photography friends). Perhaps you have another interest that would lend itself to being seen in an interesting way though your lens?

Message edited by author 2016-01-01 12:56:24.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/01/2016 01:14:06 PM · #4

There are so many genres of photography it's hard to believe we get "bored"! Explore other genres (macro, street, wildlife, abstract, etc.).

Are you trying to go pro with photography (i.e. earning a living from it)? I notice that folks who only shoot what they "have" to (for work) easily get demotivated. They neglect the fun side that got them hooked in the first place. I always carve out some time for "personal" projects so that I'm shooting for me.

Shoot with intent. Whatever you choose to shoot, make it specific rather than wander about hoping for the shot to somehow manifest.

Discover your city. Do a search of interesting neighborhoods, attractions, parks, etc.

give yourself a "handicap" - e.i. you can't shoot anything blue, or you limit your composing time to 3 seconds, etc.

If you want to "learn" something, view any photo site and try to learn how to do something you saw in an images that captures your imagination.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

01/01/2016 04:14:10 PM · #5

Originally posted by tanguera:

Shoot with intent. Whatever you choose to shoot, make it specific rather than wander about hoping for the shot to somehow manifest.

I would add that sometimes I go out with absolutely nothing in mind. Simply to walk my camera.

Originally posted by tanguera:

Discover your city. Do a search of interesting neighborhoods, attractions, parks, etc.

I have a much greater appreciation of where I live in the last decade where I started taking photography very seriously. In my GF's & my gallery, 99% of my stuff is from right here in town. Find the beauty of your own home town with your camera.

As far as a recommendation for something new, try night shots.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

01/01/2016 04:55:39 PM · #6

if you are doing a wedding you better get some lighting skills.

01/01/2016 08:02:45 PM · #7

Nope, not going 'professional'. Had fun shooting the wedding, and all in all it went well. I just did not enjoy the tons of hours afterwards. (And really did not enjoy the disappointment of an important shot that ended up just mediocre.) Portraits are an area that I would like to work on.

Lighting - I more meant that I do not understand studio lights and I haven't figured out things like how to fix unpleasant light reflections. These things interest me, but seem intimidating.

I am intrigued by 365 day challenges, but right now I can't handle the disappointment I would feel in myself by not meeting such a defined challenge. And there is just no way I could do something every day. (Working full time+, two hour daily commute, accounting class at the university to expand skills, family obligations... all wonderful parts of life, and I'm lucky to have the job, but some days there is almost no free time.) I would like to do this someday, but I have to move into a different job before I think I could give myself that big of a goal.

I do like the idea of combining photography with another hobby - I like doing crafty stuff - but just haven't done much since I live 90 minutes from the closest craft store. But I like this. Will have to ponder.

Night shots - definitely an interest and something I try occasionally. And Macro - love this stuff - need to work on the focus stacking.

So I'm kind of leaning towards setting monthly goals. This gives me enough time flexibility, but would also give me some focus and help me shoot with intent each month and would also give my brain the challenge of working on something new or something difficult.

Thanks for the thoughts. When I'm feeling strong I find DPC to be a great place to help me shoot. I am often surprised that when I head out with a purpose for a challenge, even if I don't feel like I have an idea of what I'll capture, I will end up with something I like. (Or like a recent facebook challenge, a spoon series left me really feeling good - they may not be fantatic for DPC but I really liked what I ended up with.)

So I suppose the bottom line really is that I just need to keep shooting and set goals.

THANKS TO YOU ALL. You all help make life worth living.

Message edited by author 2016-01-01 20:03:36.

bob350

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

01/02/2016 07:43:22 AM · #8

Are you asking the right question? Is the issue technical skill? If so, there are many pathways to improvement. Take a look at the extensive resources and exercises on the Strobist blog pages if lighting is your next area of learning.

But if the question has to do with missing inspiration, fading level of interest, or finding the underlying reason for doing photography at all, I suggest this bit of perspective from David Hobby of Strobist blog fame: Ecosystems. What a difference it can make to be using photography to make a positive difference in the world. And, after the basics are mastered, technical skill refinement is not nearly as important as deciding what can be done with what we already know.

Your question stimulated me to resume thinking again about the implications for me. Thanks for helping jump start my year.

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

01/02/2016 09:39:03 AM · #9

I think you've reached a plateau. Your learning curve has flattened out. Now you must find some inner drive to sustain your photographer-energy.

Basic skills with a camera are not that much of a challenge to learn. Using the camera like it's a part of your mind & body takes more time. Finding out what drives you...could take years.

So, my advice is in this plateau do some lateral drifting. Think of it as cross training. Read some books. Do some thinking. Dream.

[eta] You can buy craft supplies online.

Message edited by author 2016-01-02 10:20:56.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/02/2016 01:54:36 PM · #10

Plateau is a perfect word. And I love the idea of trying to shoot for value.

Part of the trouble with photography is that it is really easy to create lots of images. But without a purpose, the images just kind of pile up. The first year I was shooting I excitedly printed all of my 'successes' and hung them on a magnetic board. But those pictures have not been updated in years despite many of those pictures not actually being very good. Last year My sister commissioned with shooting Lego images for her son's wall - and it felt so good to work towards creating something that gets used.

So I suspect if I could find purpose, beyond just personal hobby type activities, I probably would go further. Interesting idea. Something I will have to ponder on to figure out how to accomplish.

Hmmmm.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

01/02/2016 02:48:03 PM · #11

Originally posted by Jules1x:

So I suspect if I could find purpose, beyond just personal hobby type activities, I probably would go further. Interesting idea. Something I will have to ponder on to figure out how to accomplish.

Hmmmm.

When this site was established, the idea was to help people become "better" by forcing them to shoot things they wouldn't ordinarily try ... I interpreted the "challenge" not as coming up with the "best" picture once in a while, but to come up with *something* reasonable for every challenge -- that was "purpose" enough for me.

Shooting for every challenge -- even (especially?) those you don't "like" -- can be a good motivator, but it only works if you don't care about your overall average vote received, or worry about people judging you on that basis.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/02/2016 05:03:22 PM · #12

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by Jules1x:
So I suspect if I could find purpose, beyond just personal hobby type activities, I probably would go further. Interesting idea. Something I will have to ponder on to figure out how to accomplish.

Hmmmm.

When this site was established, the idea was to help people become "better" by forcing them to shoot things they wouldn't ordinarily try ... I interpreted the "challenge" not as coming up with the "best" picture once in a while, but to come up with *something* reasonable for every challenge -- that was "purpose" enough for me.

Shooting for every challenge -- even (especially?) those you don't "like" -- can be a good motivator, but it only works if you don't care about your overall average vote received, or worry about people judging you on that basis.

Shooting every challenge - excellent idea. I might be about ready for this. (And I meet the requirements of not caring about my average or what people think. I do like to get the occasional shot that I care about.)

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

01/02/2016 05:14:02 PM · #13

I don't know. I find the exercise of shooting 'something' for every challenge whether I want to or not to be anti-inspirational. Moments of my life I will never get back. I traveled many miles, spent a small fortune, & made many personal sacrifices to get here. Why would I be content with shooting just anything? There's no prize for 'most challenges entered.' Perfect attendance is not on my list of life goals. Of course this is only my personal opinion.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

01/02/2016 05:48:53 PM · #14

I don't mean to intentionally submit "bad" images, just that the basic idea is to provide that "purpose" or inspiration people sometimes claim to lack ... it forces you to think about a possibly unfamiliar topic, and if it seems familiar and "boring" then maybe you'll have to think harder ... I believe that's usually considered a good thing. :-)

But I'm sure there's no one solution that works for everyone, I'm only talking about what's kept me around this long -- it's certainly not my overall score ... :-)

jgirl57

01/02/2016 11:04:07 PM · #15

This is a great push for you to expand, and I can feel your plateau, you have tons of talent and one of peeps I look up to here and I know it can get frustrating as you hit that.

I just started learning the Strobist page and it is very good, a lot I do not understand quite yet but a lot of it makes sense. I still am going through it myself, but yes, it is great to learn from!

This year will be a great 2016 year for me, the photography is just going through the roof for me, even though my scores here still suck ahahah! On the personal level, I am very blessed and content.
One, there is about 36 of us which are in a group and we are planning on doing a 52 week challenge to which will be published at the end of the year and at the end of the year, we will create a "Coffee Table" Book featuring photographs from the project. The book will be up for sale and we will be donating proceeds to a Charity of our choosing.

Just before Christmas, I went in for a gift certificate at our local and hobby and art shop for my dad, and got to talking to the owners cause they knew I did photography and I actually picked up a hired job as well as they want to promote my photography in their business and do commission for the sales.. something I have not even thought of doing I don't know the first thing about doing mats and gallery printing, tons of things I need to know how to do yet.
Plus, they want me to do more landmark/historical areas in our local area, so this is a new learning area for me, but I will be planning on doing some night long exposure night shots and try to create shots that have not been done yet. Plus, doing photography for the local animal shelter, I don't think I will get bored any time soon. The fur babies just really make my heart happy and I get to play and cuddle and give a little love and I get some back :-)

I really do think it makes a difference if you have something to "shoot for" instead of just clicking. Before, it was learning, still is and always will be, but it really turns into a passion when other's want you to do things and really enjoy the work you do. I am farrrr from perfect but wanting to strive for more will always be that drive. I also think it was the outside groups as well as DPC that always keeps my mind open to new things, I know a lot of challenges I just wanted to stay in my own little bubble but I learned quickly it got stagnate and boring. Its when you step out and get that fresh air spark that I love that feeling :-)

Hope you find your spark again! I know you will soon!

Message edited by author 2016-01-02 23:09:02.