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Stuck in Amateur-ville
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The only way of improving as a photographer is to be your own worst critic. Learn from viewing
and comparing your work to really good work done by others. You have to really "see" good work,
analyze it, and learn from it. Then, go out and shoot more.
and comparing your work to really good work done by others. You have to really "see" good work,
analyze it, and learn from it. Then, go out and shoot more.
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'Not much in the way of contributing to the question, but the good will in this thread is humbling and inspiring. Bravo all.
This level of amateur is my target, both w/ a photo & most other things. I crave a level of skill I'm happy with, and that's usually on the low-med end of pro-quality. I'm not there w/ photos - other than the occassional lucky shot. But critical to taking any of these area on is committing to enjoying the often bumpy ride. Creative constipation? Take a break, look/visit other art, take a camera to another place that's fun whether or not you capture images. Since you don't need it for income - enjoyment is the object - as others have said. And you have no deficit of fine images already.
This level of amateur is my target, both w/ a photo & most other things. I crave a level of skill I'm happy with, and that's usually on the low-med end of pro-quality. I'm not there w/ photos - other than the occassional lucky shot. But critical to taking any of these area on is committing to enjoying the often bumpy ride. Creative constipation? Take a break, look/visit other art, take a camera to another place that's fun whether or not you capture images. Since you don't need it for income - enjoyment is the object - as others have said. And you have no deficit of fine images already.
Stop trying to compare your photos with what others see and do. Find your niche and follow what is in your heart. Slowly, what you will find is yourself and that will be reflected in your art. Then, others will compare their work to yours and wonder why they can't duplicate it.
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I think Martin Parr's work look amateurish, but artistically, it has redeeming value.
http://www.martinparr.com/
http://www.martinparr.com/
Ira Glass: "But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase. They quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this."
more
more
Geez did anyone actually review his work? There are two things that will make you feel better...fame and fortune...because it seems that's the only two things your missing regarding your photography. I often think a young muse would help get me outa such a state; so take one along next time and we can review the results.
I have struggled, even as a professional photographer, making my images look the way that I want them, or a client wants them to look. I found myself falling into two traps in my thinking and art-making process pretty frequently:
1- I overcomplicate things. I would convince myself that for my work to have the same kind of POP or finished look that I would have to pull out every piece of equipment, every light, and every widget that I thought could some how be needed to make this image look right. I have since been able, after years of trying, to convince myself that is not the case 100% of the time. Sometimes, keeping things simple can be a God-send to creating the drama, precision, or other quality that you are trying to convey in that work.
2- I get hyper focused on my idea and put on the creative horse blinders. When I would think that my work isn't to the quality that I wanted I would often spend a lot of time writing about the way that I wanted to work to look, drawing sketches, and trying to only concentrate on the areas that I thought were important and needed to most work. Still...I have to tell myself to step back and not just concentrate on the one or two things that I think my image/work need and give myself the 15000ft view of the image/idea and see how it works in concert with the rest of the elements of the image. Some of my favorite images are layered and constructed to engage the viewer on more than one level and with more than one thing. (that's not to say that a super simple image that is plain and strait forward cannot be a fantastically compelling piece of art, I'm just speaking in generalities when you look at commercial and contemporary art)
Just like a lot of the great folks here at APUG, I would encourage you to look look look and then look some more at artwork that you like. Photography, painting, sculpture, performance, dance, installation, happenings, etc. It may not have any immediate relevance to that you are making or any ideas that you have now, but its all going to influence your creative decisions in the future.
Art is not made in a vacuum. Seeking other artists and look at their work is essential to gaining skill and exposure to new techniques and ideas that could prove fruitful in your growth.
Make art- sitting in a dark room waiting for inspiration on how to improve your work will most likely not result in a miracle inspiration or revelation. Go and make work, challenge yourself creatively and technically and see how your work progresses.
If you are wanting more knowledge about methods and techniques of commercial and professional photographers I would look toward books like Secrets of Studio Still Life, 1984, for the technical and craft side of the issue.
I hope that you have some good results and happy shooting!
1- I overcomplicate things. I would convince myself that for my work to have the same kind of POP or finished look that I would have to pull out every piece of equipment, every light, and every widget that I thought could some how be needed to make this image look right. I have since been able, after years of trying, to convince myself that is not the case 100% of the time. Sometimes, keeping things simple can be a God-send to creating the drama, precision, or other quality that you are trying to convey in that work.
2- I get hyper focused on my idea and put on the creative horse blinders. When I would think that my work isn't to the quality that I wanted I would often spend a lot of time writing about the way that I wanted to work to look, drawing sketches, and trying to only concentrate on the areas that I thought were important and needed to most work. Still...I have to tell myself to step back and not just concentrate on the one or two things that I think my image/work need and give myself the 15000ft view of the image/idea and see how it works in concert with the rest of the elements of the image. Some of my favorite images are layered and constructed to engage the viewer on more than one level and with more than one thing. (that's not to say that a super simple image that is plain and strait forward cannot be a fantastically compelling piece of art, I'm just speaking in generalities when you look at commercial and contemporary art)
Just like a lot of the great folks here at APUG, I would encourage you to look look look and then look some more at artwork that you like. Photography, painting, sculpture, performance, dance, installation, happenings, etc. It may not have any immediate relevance to that you are making or any ideas that you have now, but its all going to influence your creative decisions in the future.
Art is not made in a vacuum. Seeking other artists and look at their work is essential to gaining skill and exposure to new techniques and ideas that could prove fruitful in your growth.
Make art- sitting in a dark room waiting for inspiration on how to improve your work will most likely not result in a miracle inspiration or revelation. Go and make work, challenge yourself creatively and technically and see how your work progresses.
If you are wanting more knowledge about methods and techniques of commercial and professional photographers I would look toward books like Secrets of Studio Still Life, 1984, for the technical and craft side of the issue.
I hope that you have some good results and happy shooting!
Some of that is rough and I guess that is where the almost headache inducing sayings of amateurs would rather stay amateurs than go through the hell of trying to be a pro come from. Also, it's easy to say the only difference between an amateur and a pro is one gets paid but lets really be honest here, the ones who clear 6 figures post expense / pre-tax are usually exponentially better than 99% of amateurs and that echelon is the only work I really even care too look at.
But like I have said before, there is not one thing about my job as a photographer that I don't like & I highly doubt I could just be satisfied with photography as just a hobby, been too spoiled with the success over the dozens of years. I just never went though any of the above and I am truly thankful for that, I even had an amazing day today on a commercial shoot.
I'll do this until I die, for I really do have the best job in the world.
Last edited:
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i have, and did when he posted this post. went to his HERE gallery, and his blog &c and really enjoy the work darinwc is doing.
i think sometimes it is hard to see the forest through the trees. couldn't agree more: a muse is nice.
OP
OP
Thank you all for your comments and consideration so far.
I'm trying to be objective about my problems and where I want to go next with my work.
What you dont see are the mistakes. Perhaps I should be sharing them as well to get some advice.
"really enjoy the work darinwc is doing." -jnanian
Thanks! that makes me feel good coming from you!
"When I would think that my work isn't to the quality that I wanted I would often spend a lot of time writing about the way that I wanted to work to look," -M. David Farrell, Jr.
-Thats good advice. I do think about my work after-the-fact. But then I forget about them and keep making the same mistakes. Keeping a notebook may help to remind me.
"Stop trying to compare your photos with what others see and do." -noisegate
-I dont think I have a problem with comparing to others.. more that I have a problem making my results match my vision. And perhaps my vision is flawed. Perhaps I am thinking I see something that isn't really there.
I'm trying to be objective about my problems and where I want to go next with my work.
What you dont see are the mistakes. Perhaps I should be sharing them as well to get some advice.
"really enjoy the work darinwc is doing." -jnanian
Thanks! that makes me feel good coming from you!
"When I would think that my work isn't to the quality that I wanted I would often spend a lot of time writing about the way that I wanted to work to look," -M. David Farrell, Jr.
-Thats good advice. I do think about my work after-the-fact. But then I forget about them and keep making the same mistakes. Keeping a notebook may help to remind me.
"Stop trying to compare your photos with what others see and do." -noisegate
-I dont think I have a problem with comparing to others.. more that I have a problem making my results match my vision. And perhaps my vision is flawed. Perhaps I am thinking I see something that isn't really there.
OP
OP
"a few publications authored by David du Chemin might be a good place to start. "-fred
I will check them out. THX
"instead of focusing on the place you're making the photograph, focus on the process of making a photograph."-TheFlyingCamera
Hmm intersting thought. I will have to spend some time on this.
"Jeez Darwinwc! Snap out of it. I looked at your images in your gallery and you have some mighty fine work there." -Andrew
THANK YOU!!! You may be right. I think many of us get down on themselves sometimes.
"I'm also lucky to have a wife that supports my photography." -MaineCooneManiac
Wow thats a rare one! Keep ahold of her!
" Bringing joy with what you love is really what matters." -MaineCooneManiac
True!
"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."
"One of the things that I would suggest you avoid is having a goal of doing something "new". -MattKing
Sometimes I'd be happy to have some look-alike work. I'm about 3 sheets away from driveing to Yosemite and just for the ubiquitous 'tunnel view'.
"What makes you feel that you must get out of town in order to find subjects to photograph. " -Gerald
Thats half of why I like photography. It gets me out the house and away from suburbia.
"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." -Optiken
Thank you!! -And I think may be part if the problem. When you are down, things just dont satify in the same way.
I will check them out. THX
"instead of focusing on the place you're making the photograph, focus on the process of making a photograph."-TheFlyingCamera
Hmm intersting thought. I will have to spend some time on this.
"Jeez Darwinwc! Snap out of it. I looked at your images in your gallery and you have some mighty fine work there." -Andrew
THANK YOU!!! You may be right. I think many of us get down on themselves sometimes.
"I'm also lucky to have a wife that supports my photography." -MaineCooneManiac
Wow thats a rare one! Keep ahold of her!
" Bringing joy with what you love is really what matters." -MaineCooneManiac
True!
"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."
"One of the things that I would suggest you avoid is having a goal of doing something "new". -MattKing
Sometimes I'd be happy to have some look-alike work. I'm about 3 sheets away from driveing to Yosemite and just for the ubiquitous 'tunnel view'.
"What makes you feel that you must get out of town in order to find subjects to photograph. " -Gerald
Thats half of why I like photography. It gets me out the house and away from suburbia.
"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." -Optiken
Thank you!! -And I think may be part if the problem. When you are down, things just dont satify in the same way.
OP
OP
Again, thank everyone for all the good advice.
The first thing I have done is to review the work I have done recently.
I know that my developing process not the best. But it it really sinking in now that I need to be much more careful in developing and handling my negs. so I've made some notes on how to change things. I need to use fresh film instead of old expired film I've been playing around with. And I am looking to build a film dryer to keep the dust off.
Second, I have decided to pursue some projects that have been floating around in my head. I think that randomly flitting about looking for photos does not suit me well. I am much more passionate about things when i have a specific concept in mind.
This is the first of a series of still lifes. This will be various objects my family brings home from our trips. this was fresh delta 100 developed in xtol. I realized my negs were too dense because of the continuous agitation i use on 4x5. So I reduced the time by 10%. I also used much more water in the wash cycle. That really helped get rid of the halation layer clean it well.
I still need to do something about dust but I got lucky on this negative. Here is the result and I am much happier with it.
The first thing I have done is to review the work I have done recently.
I know that my developing process not the best. But it it really sinking in now that I need to be much more careful in developing and handling my negs. so I've made some notes on how to change things. I need to use fresh film instead of old expired film I've been playing around with. And I am looking to build a film dryer to keep the dust off.
Second, I have decided to pursue some projects that have been floating around in my head. I think that randomly flitting about looking for photos does not suit me well. I am much more passionate about things when i have a specific concept in mind.
This is the first of a series of still lifes. This will be various objects my family brings home from our trips. this was fresh delta 100 developed in xtol. I realized my negs were too dense because of the continuous agitation i use on 4x5. So I reduced the time by 10%. I also used much more water in the wash cycle. That really helped get rid of the halation layer clean it well.
I still need to do something about dust but I got lucky on this negative. Here is the result and I am much happier with it.
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