Stuck in Amateur-ville

[darinwc]

I've been a photographer for 10-15 years i guess. I only shoot for myself, nothing paid, nor do I really want anything paid. But after all this time, it seems very difficult or near impossible for me to create anything of professional quality.
I know part of my problem is simply time. I have a full time job and a family and also school and it keeps me busy. But on those days when I can get out of town by myself, I am very unhappy with the results.

i just feel like I am stuck in amateur-ville. I cannot seem to find any of the beautiful spots others do. i cannot seem to 'make' the shots that others do. And the pictures that i do take just have a 'plastic' feel to them that I cannot explain, but it is not good.

Does anyone else have these same problems? What do you do to try to 'break out' of the amateur look?

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

You just need to find your "happy place" with photography. Surely there is something you have done in the last 10 to 15 years photographically which pleases you?

 

[pdeeh]

I only shoot for myself, nothing paid, nor do I really want anything paid. But after all this time, it seems very difficult or near impossible for me to create anything of professional quality.

There does seem a marked contradiction between these two statements.

FWIW, just in my personal experience: Some people have got it, some haven't. You may have to accept that you are one of the people who hasn't.
There's a persistent belief that floats about that "you can be anything you want". The trouble is, this simply isn't true, because we all have limitations on our abilities, and it can easily lead to a sense that "I'm not good enough" if you can't achieve the thing you want so much.

Alternatively, you may be a late developer. I've been taking photos for nearly 5 decades and it's only in the past two years I've started to make the kind of original images and prints that I would feel able to show any of my (professional) artist friends.

My advice? If you haven't already done so, start looking regularly at non-photographic art, of all sorts, and educate yourself in the history of art. And stop comparing your photos (if you do) with the work of "professional" photographers.

good luck.

 

[Ozxplorer]

Darin... It is a good thing you have become "properly dissatisfied" with the current status of your photographic expression and feel the need to expand your visual horizon. It won't be easy. Taking steps to widen your frame of photographic reference both in respect of visual plus emotional responses and craft development will assist you to find direction and thus enable you to knowingly change your "status quo". This is an ongoing process for many...

If I may suggest, a few publications authored by David du Chemin might be a good place to start. Some of his earlier books, in particular, deal with the development of photographic vision plus need to apply a wider range of acquired craft skills toward improved output. That said, all around me are not usually greatly stirred by my own art efforts, but, I persist... Good luck getting yourself out of your "writer's block"! Fred

 

[Nodda Duma]

As one amateur to another: acquire a book on the basics of composition. This helped me improve. It may help you.

 

[timmct]

I think you are in a place a lot of us others have been in, as well.

I can agree that it is a good place, although frustrating. It is akin to learning a language. There seem to be a lot of other things on your mind so...go slow.

Good luck, Tim.

 

[Fast]

I've certainly been in this place too - numerous times. But the fact that you're in a place where you can ask this question is a good thing. It shows you want to expand and improve. That's much better than thinking you've got it all figured out - cause then you might fall into the trap of just repeating old clichés. Look for what's good in your own photographs, ask other people what they like in your photographs. It one point I decided to stop following the rules... and I started liking my photographs a lot more.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Another thing to think about - instead of focusing on the place you're making the photograph, focus on the process of making a photograph. If you get a process down, then the place doesn't really matter. Go back through your existing body of work, and see what common threads you find - what are the things you react to enough to make you push the shutter button. Are they trees? Rocks? People? Buildings? Abstract forms? Contrast? Color? Find those common threads, and then go look for them in your own back yard. Photograph instinctively. You can become a much better photographer by looking and and photographing the things you see and know every day. Doing that will make it much easier to take good pictures in an unfamiliar environment as well because it will help your brain filter the signal-to-noise ratio that inevitably cranks way up when you're on the road somewhere "exotic" or "new".

 

[pdeeh]

some bloke called "man Ray" (I dunno what these hipsters are thinking,really) said

l don’t like the idea of people working hard. l absolutely do not want to become a professional. I always want to stay a bit gauche,
with something of the feel of a child or a beginner. As soon as things start to go well, l automatically stop. l have no set time for work, no principle,
and no project.

 

[DWThomas]

Somehow I'm having a flash of a legendary photographer who made a statement about beginning to get his bearings after the first 10,000 images. I too am an amateur with no intentions of being otherwise, and while I have achieved a tiny bit of notoriety here close to home, I am nowhere near "the greats."

I would say the fact that you feel you're not where you want to be at least says you are able to see (at some, maybe even subconscious level) that your work is different from what you admire or what you aspire to. That is a good thing, as it indicates you have an eye for the results. Now you have to try and analyze what are the specifics that differentiate your work from the others. From there it's just a matter of taking those details into account as you set up and shoot. (Boy -- see how easy that was ... )

Dunno if you've ever tried any painting. I think my forays into watercolor a decade or two back helped me think differently or more attentively about composition and the effects of lighting. In painting one doesn't have to just reproduce what they see out in front of them, you build up the lights and darks piecemeal and in composition you can shift that tree a hair to the left or make it a little shorter if that makes a better overall balance. As such there is perhaps more attention paid to those sorts of details. I will quickly admit that if you're as busy as it sounds, a painting class may not fit well. I took an adult evening school class in watercolor on my first pass. The one major plus was it meant every Thursday night from 7:00 to 9:30 (or whatever) was spent painting, which was good, but many weeks not much happened between those evenings.

Anyway, don't give up, study lots of paintings and photographs, analyze what floats your boat and what doesn't.
And keep practicing.

(All this sage advice is brought to you by a guy who is 75 and doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up, )

 

[mike c]

It has been forty years for me, like you Darinwc ,I help raise a family with my wife and now that the kids are gone and am semi retired I have more time to think about photography. Looking back I have some keepers and a lot of duds, but found if I would matte and frame some of the old one's they would look pretty good and can see how they could be improved . Have more time to think about composition also from the get-go, for me it was slowing down in both camera work and printing that makes it more enjoyable. Going to Gallerys helped too, and a few printing classes and sharing and talking to other photographers can be fun and enlightening.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Jeez Darwinwc! Snap out of it. I looked at your images in your gallery and you have some mighty fine work there. Plastic? I don't think so. We all fall into these ruts of uncertainty, or self confidence issues... I do all the time. Keep doing what you're doing!

 

[ruilourosa]

Just quit! grab another thing!

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Nothing wrong with Amateur-Ville. The only thing that separates an amateur and a professional is getting paid for your work. I was a professional for 8 years and it wrecked my love of photography for many years. I got burned out. I also abandoned by darkroom for over 5 years. But eventually, I started shooting for myself again. The best thing for me is not to have any expectations other than shooting for the pure joy of it. I also went back into my darkroom and rediscovered how therapeutic it was. When I printed for clients, it was to print with the fewest resources of time and materials. I got into the trap of trying to validate myself as a photographer with the amount of work I produced and the amount of money I made. Being a professional photographer was a lot of drudgery. Looking for work, promoting myself and getting paid was not fun. I do get request to do work as favors and I find much joy with that. My last assignment was shooting passport photos for the in laws. I still do work for my wife's optometry practice which I love. I haven't sold a print after quitting being a pro which is fine. Remember, Vincent Van Gough's brother Theo never sold any of his paintings. Do your art because you love it. I never looked back to being a pro and feel lucky to have a day job that pays a decent living and my photography as a hobby. I'm also lucky to have a wife that supports my photography. I love cooking and food and I told my wife that I'll never be a professional chef. My wife had a friend over for dinner Saturday and we had a great time eating and catching up on life. Bringing joy with what you love is really what matters. Seeking other's validation through money and fame is a tough road for me.

 

[MattKing]

The definition of "amateur" is one who does it for the love of the game.

You may be making a mistake if your aim is "professional" work. A much better goal is "interesting and satisfying" work. Not to mention "fun" work.

All the rest of the suggestions are good (except maybe the one to quit ) if they help you try things, with a goal of seeking that which makes you happy.

One of the things that I would suggest you avoid is having a goal of doing something "new". Anything you create will be "new" enough, if you have the goal of doing work that satisfies you. If it turns out your "eye" is truly different, then you can let the world come to you.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

"But on those days when I can get out of town ..." What makes you feel that you must get out of town in order to find subjects to photograph. There is a famous photograph of a glass of water on a window sill containing a rather droopy tulip. It was taken in the photographer's house. Just today I noticed an very interesting shadow on my driveway. There are images all around you. You need to practice seeing.

 

[OptiKen]

I've looked at your pictures...
The problem isn't with your photographs - some are outstanding with a good understanding of form, contrast, light and shadow.
Your photographs are good and some definitely good enough to print, mat, hang on a gallery wall and sell.
You are an amateur only because you haven't sold anything nor have the desire to.

You have all of the talent and eye to create wonderful pieces of art.
The problem is in you discovering what floats your boat...what images really connect with you.

You need to find the emotional bond with what you shoot in order to be satisfied.
I've know wedding photographers who really dislike taking pictures of strangers but love still lifes and sunsets.

 

[ic-racer]

i just feel like I am stuck in amateur-ville. I cannot seem to find any of the beautiful spots others do.

Maybe you are trying to make amateur photos. Where you point you camera and when you press the shutter says most about the photographer. Are you pointing it were you want?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I think OptiKen hit the nail on the head.

 

[Helios 1984]

Amateur-ville is a charming place, it's full of candid pictures, it's full of life & memories. It was good enough for Vivian Maier and it's more than enough for me.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

In Amateurville, photography is one of the small pleasure in life.

 

[Wallendo]

I've been a photographer for 10-15 years i guess. I only shoot for myself, nothing paid, nor do I really want anything paid. But after all this time, it seems very difficult or near impossible for me to create anything of professional quality.
I know part of my problem is simply time. I have a full time job and a family and also school and it keeps me busy. But on those days when I can get out of town by myself, I am very unhappy with the results.

i just feel like I am stuck in amateur-ville. I cannot seem to find any of the beautiful spots others do. i cannot seem to 'make' the shots that others do. And the pictures that i do take just have a 'plastic' feel to them that I cannot explain, but it is not good.

Does anyone else have these same problems? What do you do to try to 'break out' of the amateur look?

I have similar issues. When I have time to think about my shortcomings as a photographer, it comes down to lack of time (or maybe laziness). Sometimes a just roll down my car window and take a photograph. Other times I stop at the first available spot with an unobstructed view. The "pros" find their "beautiful spots" by exploring and planning, and at times may plan a shot well in advance to calculate the exact date and time for a shot.

What I sometimes do to try and break out of the sameness is just to shake things up. Sometimes I'll pick up a disposable camera and shoot a roll. Sometimes I make an effort to frame images irregularly, or add foreground objects, or pick a lens length I rarely use.

Sometimes it seems that I try too hard to make my photographs look like others' photographs. Making an effort to be different at times brings forth new opportunities.

 

[4season]

Maybe you're simply not photographing often enough? For a challenge, try photographing during your regular busy work + school days, or days when you're with family. Doesn't need to be anything profound, it could be as simple as a record of what you ate for lunch.

 

[Ron789]

"I have a full time job and a family and also school and it keeps me busy. But on those days when I can get out of town by myself, I am very unhappy with the results."
"i just feel like I am stuck in amateur-ville. I cannot seem to find any of the beautiful spots others do."
To make good photo's, you don't need to have a lot of spare time, go out and find beautiful places. Stay close! Close to your own place(s), your family, the things that interest you and that you care about. The danger of going to special places and finding special subjects is that you focus on the subject, not on the image. The result: another boring photo of a great subject. You can make great photo's in and around your own place.
Beauty is everywhere! Your own family, house, town....
My experience: I take my best photo's within walking distance from my home. Whenever I go to fancy places, the photo's I make are no better than postcards or tourist guides. Most of the time when I go traveling I don't take any camera with me.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I checked OP site. Honestly, I don't take pictures for me personally on digital anymore. And I do not offer prints for sale, just because pictures were taken. Every time I'm trying to take it digitally for myself, it looks plastic.
IMO.
Miranda in November looking great, cars in the Valley, not really.