Weekly Poll: What percentage of your shots do you consider "keepers"?

[velvet4269]

I said 11%-25% based mostly off my last photo session. As to whether or not I start getting a higher ratio as I photograph longer, I'm going to have to say yes, but only because I find myself taking fewer shots. When I first started, I took well over 200 photos every time I went out, I'd keep about 30, and put up about 5-10. Yesterday, I took 30 photos, and put up 5 (although, to be honest, 4 of them are pretty much the same, just different orientations).

Of course, if you ask this question again in the spring, I may have a different answer for you

[Major_Small]

I'm still around where I was with film - I would shoot a roll and walk away with 2-4 keepers, and now I take 3-10 shots of each set-up before I find one I'm happy with. If I need more than about 10 shots with a certain set-up, I just change the set-up and call the previous one a loss. I don't like doing that though, so I generally think out what I want the final image to look like before I start clicking.

[Silverfox]

I answered 11-25% because thats what I would consider good enough to show others on a good day. On a bad day...ouch.

If I'm doing macros, the percentage drops ever lower due to focus and lighting issues.

I guess thats why digital photography is so much fun. You can keep trying new and or different methods without breaking the bank.

[Tantawi]

I'm in the 11-25% range, still a beginner

[Aperthetic]

I'm with the majority... 11-25%. I wish I could say more of them are keepers, but I just love to experiment. I live by trial and error, but that's how you learn, right? I'm perfectly fine with only that fraction of my shots being "keepers" because all those "nonkeepers" are what keep me improving as a photographer.

Yay for failures!

[maz2001]

Memory shots do not fall into my 11-25% category. They are for myself and family.

My macro and clouds (love them) are the ones that get knocked out almost as fast as I shoot them. Although, I do keep some for experimenting. That way I am not messing with a good shot.

[Geaux]

I voted in 0 - 10%, but I'm closer to 10%. Definitely finding I have more keepers the more I photograph. I'll be in 11 - 25% in no time.

[xxpinballxx]

Ansel said on more than one occasion that if he kept 10-12 shots a year that it was a good year!
I don't feel bad with my 10% or less.

[eternalhope]

I'm pretty picky and critical of my photos. Since I am still using film and am an amateur, there's so much room for error and I'm only limited to the roll. I would like to think close to 50% are keepers (if I am using Auto modes), but if I am experimenting with a new skill, eg. Av settings, then I lose pretty much 80-90%....it can be kinda depressing ....then I see other people's photos and think...gee, I have a loooong way to go!!! I love it on here though. There's always so much positivity and encouragement for us who are still beginners.

[wulf]

I don't think getting a higher percentage of "keepers" means you are getting better; it could just mean that you are being less discerning. I am certainly finding that I am taking a lot more pictures, exploring ideas or trying to catch the ideal moment, and so, as (hopefully) my overall skill is improving my level of keepers is going down.

Wulf