How do you step up to the next level

[batch]

I'm at a stage with my photos especially landscapes that i feel i'm not progressing any more. When i compare where i'm at and what others do on this site and flickr , i feel like i've hit a wall. I guess what i'm asking , has anyone else felt like this and how did you get over it.

[yalborap]

Have you tried branching out? Try a new technique, borrow a new lens, etc. Get something completely new to reinforce your passion.

A vacation could work too. You might get some nice stuff if you worked in a completely different landscape.

Hope these help.

[oldwolf]

find out what it is about the other pictures you like and then figure out why you aren't getting that in your photo.

it comes down to analyzing your photos critically and breaking it down to the basic components. it might come down to time of day or post processing.

[waffles]

I used to run cross country. (Yes, this is connected, just keep reading and you'll get there) Onf of the first things my coach would tell people at the start of the season was that there would be times where we were working just as hard as ever, but our times wouldn't reflect that. If we kept working hard, we would see our times drop after a while. Also, better runners would hit one of those walls more frequently.

I see photography the same way. When you're starting out there's a lot to learn and improve on. But as you get better, you have less of an area where you can improve. So keep working at it, and you'll get around that wall you're hitting right now.

[jiminyClickit]

batch,

If Flickr and DPS inspire you, that's good. When you compare your work to photos that may be a result of years of experience, really great equipment, schooling, and yes, even talent and skill, you are creating that wall.

Look only to your last several hundred photographs: that's your best measure of success. That will tell you what needs more attention, and where you've improved.

Be inspired by others; compare yourself to you. Steady improvement is your goal, and it's individual. That may include some slowdown, some lack of interest. Accept that, remove the pressure of being "as good as" others, and you'll find the learning will continue and you'll be eager to shoot again.

[dakwegmo]

When I find myself hitting the wall, creating new challenges really helps me break through that wall. One of the biggest things that's helped me improve was to commit to posting a new photo to my photoblog everyday. I don't always succeed, but having that challenge always there is a great motivator to get out and shoot. If that's not for you there are a lot of resources on DPS and the web for creative ideas. Put limits on your shooting in terms of gear, camera settings, location, perspective, etc. Think about your shots, and what you're trying to communicate with the image. The list goes on.

[maxbelloni]

My great push was the idea to open a photoblog: when i decided to do this, I started in doing photos with a completely different mindset. When you have a public exposition of your images (even open 24h a day!) you feel a tremendous need of doing better, and you look at the world around you with a very different eye. At least, this is what happened to me (don't know, anyway, if the final result is good, of course! )

[newPerspective]

Originally Posted by waffles

I see photography the same way. When you're starting out there's a lot to learn and improve on. But as you get better, you have less of an area where you can improve. So keep working at it, and you'll get around that wall you're hitting right now.

Very well said, I'm going to remember that for myself.

[batch]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

batch,

If Flickr and DPS inspire you, that's good. When you compare your work to photos that may be a result of years of experience, really great equipment, schooling, and yes, even talent and skill, you are creating that wall.

Look only to your last several hundred photographs: that's your best measure of success. That will tell you what needs more attention, and where you've improved.

Be inspired by others; compare yourself to you. Steady improvement is your goal, and it's individual. That may include some slowdown, some lack of interest. Accept that, remove the pressure of being "as good as" others, and you'll find the learning will continue and you'll be eager to shoot again.

Thanks for your reply Jiminy
You nailed it in the first paragraph, i am creating that wall. What ever i do i have to do well, my expectations on myself are higher than my experience, schooling, equipment, and skill level. As with photography and taking good photos i have to learn "patience"

[batch]

Originally Posted by yalborap

Have you tried branching out? Try a new technique, borrow a new lens, etc. Get something completely new to reinforce your passion.

A vacation could work too. You might get some nice stuff if you worked in a completely different landscape.

Hope these help.

A vacation and a change of scenery would be nice.