Frustrated!

[Ambrosia76]

Ok I generally understand the basic concepts of photography. I started out with a 35mm slr camera in high school and did fairly well with it, then used P&S for about 15 yrs(perhaps this made me lazy), now I have had my Dslr for almost a year and I am about ready to say forget it and sell it. I know how it all works I just can't seem to get it to work for me. I do get some good shots, none I would call great or amazing, but I can't ever seem to get what is in my head to come through the camera.

[windrider86]

I know its frustrating, DONT GIVE UP!!! A year feels like an eternity but it really isnt. Keep shooting, keep practicing and always remember that you are usually your worst critic!

[RLucas]

Since I don't really know what you have in mind when you shoot, I can't really tell you what I think you should do.
What aspects of your vision do you feel are not getting through to the final product?
What helps me is to chunk things down that I need to work on.

Don't let it get you down!

Originally Posted by RLucas

Since I don't really know what you have in mind when you shoot, I can't really tell you what I think you should do.
What aspects of your vision do you feel are not getting through to the final product?
What helps me is to chunk things down that I need to work on.

Don't let it get you down!

This.

You improve by constant analysis. What am I doing wrong, and how can I fix it?

Another way to learn is to try and recreate another person's photo. Trust me, it sounds a lot easier than it is.

[Rentham]

Disclaimer: I'm not trying to be jerk. Honest.

The biggest problem I see is that you obviously don't shoot enough. I see this occasionally with people who hark back to their "film days" and claim to have been shooting for 15+ years. I look at their work and it is still very much in the beginner stages. Something about their stated experience and actual work doesn't jive. I'm not saying my work is anything special, but if it is at the same level 10 years form now I will most assuredly quit.

Are you shooting every day or every week? Are you challenging yourself and shooting with intent? Or are you just picking up the camera when you have an assignment or get inspired? In short, are you doing the work?

If the answer to these questions is "yes" and you're not improving, then it probably is time to move on. But I'm willing to bet the answer is no, you're not doing as much of the work as you should be. That's the good news. You can work harder and see the payoff almost immediately.

[IABoomer]

Not sure if you've posted any images you think didn't meet your vision in critique, but explaining what you wanted to get and showing what you did get might lead to some advice on how to bridge the gap.

Be happy if you're still having time to shoot. I haven't had the chance lately to pull the camera out for anything creative, just family snaps around the holidays.

[mosgood]

Originally Posted by windrider86

I know its frustrating, DONT GIVE UP!!! A year feels like an eternity but it really isnt. Keep shooting, keep practicing and always remember that you are usually your worst critic!

Not really sure what issues you're dealing with Ambrosia, but I second what Windrider wrote. Set some goals & maybe some assignments for yourself this year. They can coincide with DPS' challenges or assignments, or choose something of your own design. Sometimes we need a push to get us passed the point where we feel we're just treading water.

We usually hit a plateau before we move up to the next level. Yes, a plateau can last a good long time. I know some are more prone to get bored before the plateau is left behind. Don't lose hope though. We live in an age of instant gratification, where we want our results to show up immediately. We don't like it when our results don't match our high expectations. I would add to Windrider's post to add a hefty dose of patience to your practice sessions.

I do have to ask...which brand 35mm slr were you using? Specs have sure changed a lot from the "olden days" of film. Perhaps it's just a matter of applying the old to the new in a way where it clicks. Different camera brands have their quirks. It might just be that you're dealing with one now. Maybe go back over some old 35mm film books while you're at it. If you don't own any, you should be able to find some materials at your local library.

Best of luck, Ambrosia!

[dmann]

Originally Posted by Rentham

Disclaimer: I'm not trying to be jerk. Honest.

The biggest problem I see is that you obviously don't shoot enough. I see this occasionally with people who hark back to their "film days" and claim to have been shooting for 15+ years. I look at their work and it is still very much in the beginner stages. Something about their stated experience and actual work doesn't jive. I'm not saying my work is anything special, but if it is at the same level 10 years form now I will most assuredly quit.

Are you shooting every day or every week? Are you challenging yourself and shooting with intent? Or are you just picking up the camera when you have an assignment or get inspired? In short, are you doing the work?

If the answer to these questions is "yes" and you're not improving, then it probably is time to move on. But I'm willing to bet the answer is no, you're not doing as much of the work as you should be. That's the good news. You can work harder and see the payoff almost immediately.

+1

I have taken pictures for a number of years, I'm only 28 so how ever many years that allows for. But got my t1i 2 years ago and actually started studying a year ago. You can see a huge difference in my work in that short time. Not all good mind you, when you take a learning curve you tend to backslide a bit. I am continually learning though and my images will start to reflect that.

Just don't throw in the towel no matter how discouraged you get and remember you are doing it for fun.

[Aboiement]

I've always lived by the philosophy that if anything needs to be done; ergo a human must do it. Why not me? I'm a human? I can learn, I can gain experience, I can fix/mend/create stuff just like anyone else? What makes them so damned special that I can't do what they can do?

Perhaps that's why I'm a jack of all trades/master of none... too much cool stuff in the world to learn/do/create/experience.


-A

[candidrachel]

I can relate to the OP. I still can't get my head around the fact that a camera lens sees in 2d rather than 3d like the brain does and that's why my photos lack impact.

Also, lighting and composition are the key elements that give a photo that certain je ne se que. I have a book on off camera flash that I got for Christmas that's helping a bit.

I've got to get back into the swing of things. I've been so discouraged this past 6 months or so and I am a perfectionist by nature and want to do as well as the pros right from the start with the limited kit that I have then wonder why my photos suck. Ugh!