What are you proud that you learned in the last year?

[SusanH1970]

ETA: Should read, "What are you proud OF that you learned in the past year".

Rachel was kind enough to start a thread asking what our goals for 2011 were. GREAT thread! So many of us have so many different goals, and please do share on that thread what your goals are.

I thought it would be fun to share what we are all proud of learning in the past year. What are your photography goals that you had in 2009 that you realized in 2010?

[Henry Wilt]

As I only had a very old and basic P&S with no control over shots other than pre-set modes at the end of 2009 I didn't really have any photography goals.

Having got my first DSLR in 2010 I had no idea what a ride I was in for or how much there was involved in taking a good shot. I can't say that I am confident that I have learnt enough yet to get the shot that I see in my minds eye, but at least I have learnt enough to understand some of why the shot I've got hasn't worked as I wanted it to.

I do feel that I have learnt to use my cameras settings and modes fairly well, although I have no doubt I can still improve on that.

I have learnt some basic PP with Lightroom 3. The technical side not too much of a problem but my eyes need more training to get the balance of how much is enough, too little or too much adjustment.

I have learnt all about the Exposure triangle and the sunny 16 rule and feel I have a good understanding of it, it does take me time to work out how many f stops versus shutter speed to change if I'm trying to work it out in my head (just can't remember the full f stop numbers ).

I've learnt about the rule of thirds and a little about composition.

I'm sure there is more that I can't think of at the moment, but hey, that's not bad for a start.
And it has to be said, most of what I have learnt is due to reading this site, so a big thanks to Darren, the mods and all who post here. I hope one day I can give back to others the way you have all given to me.

[ravncat]

Photoshop Lab space, color spaces, conversion methods and profiling - from the camera to the print for complete color control.

And sharpening.

[indykaleu]

Better knowledge of manual controls on the camera, a better understanding of Photoshop and my night time pictures got progressively better as I went out with the camera more often.

[daft_biker]

Last year I set out to learn how to use the tilt/shift lens I'd just bought and that's what I've been doing....much of it has just been shooting models I built and mushrooms in the woods. Will get my finger out and shoot some insects and spiders with it this summer....even if it means getting up early

[Aleix]

Lots of stuff; but most importantly learned many things related with photo composition.

Greetings

[RLucas]

I learned that shooting at high ISO will not kill me. Most of my shots recently have been at the upper end of my camera's range and exposing to the right.

[candidrachel]

For me was really finally getting the exposure triangle to register to the grey matter. For some reason it was just not sinking in. I kept forgetting that small apertures = large numbers. Also, that to have a small aperture needs a longer exposure time. No wonder my f22 were so blurred without a tripod before It's been a relevation to be honest and I have a long way to go.

I also learnt the back lighting means having the sun behind the SUBJECT not the camera

I'm on a mission this year to like I said in the other thread to get to grips with "seeing" better light and try to use that light to my advantage. Also, use the rule of thirds better. I find that really hard because I can't envision a grid very clearly in my minds eye but I'm working on it.

[windrider86]

I was looking for more exposure, and got it. I also wanted more equipment, got it.
I'm still toying with the idea of my own gallery, studio. Maybe

[SusanH1970]

These are great, everyone thanks for sharing! I find sometimes I get so wrapped up in what I want to improve on that I forget to be happy with what I've learned so far.

A couple of things I'm proud of are that I finally figured out how to do black and white conversions that I love, learned to nail focus when shooting wide open, and have become much more knowledgable and proficient at post-processing my images. I also started to get my images well-exposed and composed in-camera, which saves me a lot of headaches in said post-processing, lol. I've also become much more confident with working with clients.

Keep your stories coming, I think we could all use a little inspiration!