where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
As we progress in our passion for photography, we discover new ways of doing things. I know that I have learned lots of new ways of shooting and also, I want stuff I didn't look much at before.
Let's take my lens dream for example. Forever I wanted the 200-400F4. After reading some of adamz posts, he made me investigate the 300mm2.8. I've now changed my mind and want that lens instead. This is just one thing, I've changed. I'll add more but I want to give you all a chance to chime in too.
From when I first started (age7) to now (ageOld) my photography has most certainly evolved. My experience and new tools have helped along the years immensely. I think digital has had the biggest impact on my photography for obvious reasons though.
I can't say I've "ch-naged" anything but girls though. ;^)
Gentoo, I would have to agree with you, so much has changed and is still changing there is so may new lenses to choose from. I know my next addition will be the 400mm f/2.8, thats next on the wish list.
What seems to have changed the most for me is the price of all the crap I buy now. When I started out, I would have been in heaven on Rex's $10 per week allowance. With digital, cameras are more expensive, ya really gotta have a good monitor (didn't even have a computer when I started), Capture NX2, Lightroom 2, Nik add-ins, etc. etc.
I used to do all my own B&W and Color (Cibachrome !!!) darkroom work. Now everything is on the computer. Big change.
Digital is the biggest change for me. With film I just never really got quick enough feedback to improve a lot. I think you had to be more motivated and note things, not to mention well-funded to pay for all the film and processing if you wanted to get quick turnaround on your photos. Having metadata in the files with basically free, unlimited shooting and processing is a great way to check what you did, decide what you want to do next time in a similar situation, and then do it.
Also, like you mentioned, Gentoo, having information available online (forums, galleries, wikipedia, etc.) makes it easier to learn new techniques and use them.
I've started to get really into flash where previously I was all about the ambient light. My best stuff is ambient low light work, but lately I've started under-exposing the background and augmenting the subject with flash, which has been working reasonably well. It still needs some work though
Great answers everyone.
Also for me, the format has changed. I use to be a jpg only shooter. Now I only shoot RAW. With this change, also came the change of the software I use. It used to be photoshop. However, I did not want the extra step when using other RAW software I've heard about plus I wanted the Nikon only corrections only available in Capture NX. Once I got use to NX/NX2, it's now what I use.
For me too, digital came like a relief after burning/wasting so many rolls of black & white and color slides. The cost was so serious that it forced me to learn as much as possible about exposure and composition, mainly through painters' work, which was fascinating. Processing black & white was the best way to learn though, and so much work was involved in it, that it also forced me to be careful before I took a photo. Today, I keep that in mind all the time and try not to make too many mistakes when I shoot :o)
The problem with digital - forgetting about the cost of the camera and lenses - is that it's become so cheap and easy to get a picture that many people in the general public don't spend enough time composing before they press the trigger; and have, effectively replaced quality with quantity.
Since I am an "old codger", my camera work/play started with b&w film. I did have access to a darkroom with free chemicals and I bought film by the what was it? 50 foot rolls? (See? I'm so old I don't remember those things.) Anyway, when my eyes went bad I could not focus and that really bummed me out, so I totally dropped photography.
This past two years I have discovered digital and autofocus and have been having a ball. I DID go from quality to quantity. Using digital, memory cards, and the computer, I can trigger off hundreds of pixs and select the ones I want.
Now I did get a digital camera with manual controls, so I started learning how to really "make" photos. And then, I got Photoshop and have begun (only just begun, btw) learning how to use it.
I also joined some photo networking groups on "meetup.com" and have begun actively associating with a broad spectrum of photogs and doing lots more types of shooting. From landscapes, to fashion shoots, to portraits, to streetshooting, and I want to do even more.
Just in the last two months I have moved back to wanting to truly improve the quality of my shooting and as a result I take/make fewer shots, but they are better.
Right now, I am actively considering/looking at buying a really good camera (still in the dilemna of choosing between: D90, D300s, D700, next upgrade of D700????
I have also started taking workshops/seminars with skilled pros and have greatly benefited from those activities. Just need to get a better camera so I can shoot....happily once again. I have become spoiled, but I'm loving photography.
Nick V
I too remember bulk loading tri-x to save money. My shooting style has evolved more than once. The first was getting a good SLR - a Minolta STR-101 and seeing the world close-up, then the with multiple lenses. I was no longer "snapping picture", I was making photographs.
The next evolution was when I changed systems from Minolta to Nikon and got an F2 and then 3 F3HP bodies and better lenses. I could now shoot almost anything I wanted (except sports and nature) and had a wonderful time free-lancing and making money. I was at that juncture where I was going to stay professional at photography or go into finance in high tech. I decided to keep photography fun and make my money in business.
The next evolution was getting a Contax G2 and realizing the hype about rangefinders was more than true. I wandered through Rome with the inconspicuous feeling of HCB and making images was revitalized.
The next was $$$$ and the cost of slides at $15/36. Recession. Stopped.
D90 a year ago - the next evolution. Couldn't be happier. Now film is literally free. Next...
I believe I used to shoot to please others. I took pictures the way I thought other people would like.
I only takes photos for myself now. They might not be what you care to see, but they mean something to me.
as for me, I loved the magic of film, however love is only one aspect, reality is another, turning digital let me to invest more money in equipment, as I could save on materials.
as for my style, for sure it changed. at the beginning of my photo path I loved landscapes, now I lean more towards animals (especially the big and wild ones) and travel photography, what will happen next.... don't know yet :)
Definitely. Before I shot with the FM2, I never cherished each shot. I might know how a camera works, but with only 36 shots max, I really had to make each shot count. Plus, I didn't get instant gratification. The wait to get the film developed was definitely exciting. Now I just instantly preview photos. I like the look of film way better though (when exposed properly, etc. etc.)
bernard said:
The problem with digital - forgetting about the cost of the camera and lenses - is that it's become so cheap and easy to get a picture that many people in the general public don't spend enough time composing before they press the trigger; and have, effectively replaced quality with quantity.
But that's good for us. If we want to make money off of our pictures, we will look like better photographers so let them snap away lol
aprillejanine said:
I believe I used to shoot to please others. I took pictures the way I thought other people would like.I only takes photos for myself now. They might not be what you care to see, but they mean something to me.
That's exactly how it should be. Be true to yourself first and foremost. It's about expressing yourself in your own way.
aprillejanine said:
I believe I used to shoot to please others. I took pictures the way I thought other people would like.I only takes photos for myself now. They might not be what you care to see, but they mean something to me.
No offence but I doubt this to be absolutely true with any art, you may not work just to please the common public but you are making your art because you need to express yourself and that means you need to communicate thru your art to at least some people.
I think that attitude is commendable, Aprille, but mb also makes a good point. Sometimes when we're given rules they ironically encourage creativity. For example, I saw your saxophone player shadow-as-subject and challenged myself to find something similar this week. I found something (not as good as yours), and watching for it actually made me pay attention to other things I normally wouldn't.
I enjoy being asked to take photos for someone else because it's always a challenge to be creative and still produce something that they'd be satisfied with (and sometimes it doesn't work out).
@aprillejanine - And I personally like your photos; most of them I find honest and narrative, but I usually do not comment on other people photos much except on gentoos saturation problem ;>
Photography has been a passion since I was in the army right out of HS. My first slr was a minolta SRT 101. Bought it at the PX in Germany. Did product photography for GE until I retired. Photography for myself has always been wildlife and scenery. These last few years I've been viewing other photographers work on the internet. I believe my photography has changed for the better because of this. It's good to see what others are doing. Gives you a few more roads to go down and explore.
Those Minoltas, almost every older photographer I know started with one of them; I still have it somewhere. I switched to Nikon soon enough though.
Johndbr said:
These last few years I've been viewing other photographers work on the internet. I believe my photography has changed for the better because of this. It's good to see what others are doing. Gives you a few more roads to go down and explore.
You couldn't be more true John, seeing someone else work is a great way to explore new ideas.
I tried my hands on using Studio Lights after moving over to the digital world, and it has been lots of fun, and it must have been frustrating to learn in the old film days.
I like to improve my skills with my lights, the next thing I am working on is using my SB 900 flash in certain BMX shots, I have seen some cool shots that are underexposed with the flash exposing the rider properly.
Overall digital is a faster learning curve and I am amassed at the knowledge even my 9 year old son has so far
Pete
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