What should my next step be?

[SnowflakeMama]

Hi Everyone,
I am a newbie around here and sadly, very inexperienced when it comes to photography , something I hope to remedy! I currently own a Canon Rebel XTi generally use the 18-55mm lens that came with it. I do have a 70-300mm, which I rarely touch. My problem is this... I am bored stiff with the photos I take and I am in a gigantic rut in terms of inspiration and equipment. I looked into some local courses (simply because when I'm taking courses I'm much better about forcing myself to get out and practise everything I'm learning) but I feel very limited with the 18-55, and wonder if I would be better off investing in a better lens first?

I've read every article I can find about what lenses other photographers prefer and what they use them for. I keep coming back to the 24-70mm f2.8L, but now I've read another post where someone mentioned that since my camera body is not full-frame the 17-55mm f2.8 might be a better choice unless I am planning to move to a full-frame body in the future (which I might, but certainly not anytime soon).

And I must keep this in mind... I am not aiming to be a professional photographer. This will always be a hobby for me, one which I am prepared to put money into, but I need to be able to get a lot of use out of any equipment I invest in. Whichever lens I purchase I hope to use it for years to come and for as many types of photos as possible.

So... are there other lenses I should consider? Should I ditch the new lens idea completely and just take a course like I'd originally thought? Will I have a better idea of what lens I would prefer if I simply knew more about photography? I feel like I'm stuck in a place where I know a bit too much to put up with mediocre equipment, and not enough to really appreciate the good stuff... LOL. Anyway, any advice or pointers are welcome, but I beg you to speak to me as if I'm a very slow 4-year-old as it seems I am a very slow learner when it comes to this.

Thanks in advance!

[Madog]

"I am bored stiff with the photos I take"
How so, maybe post some photos to the critique forum for helpful feedback on making more interesting images.
"I feel very limited with the 18-55"
I feel your pain. Not knowing what you shoot it's hard to recommend a specific lens. With that said Canons 50 1.8 is inexpensive and with good IQ, very nice for portraits, or short telephoto work. Plus a prime will force you to see differently and "zoom with your feet."

Carry your camera everywhere, lots of ways to get inspired and improve your eye at the same time. Choose a word, and only shoot things that represent that word. Use the theme from the weekly assignments here currently "warm colors." Mix hobbies, shoot things you are passionate about, and try to convey your feelings in the photos. Practice makes perfect. Keep shooting.

[RichardTaylor]

In what way do you feel your existing lens is limiting you?
Is it not fast enough, or wide enough, or long enough, or focusses too slowly or is not "weatherproof"?

That should give you an idea of what you need (not want).

=====================
If you do decide to go with anther lens this DPS tute may help.

Lenses #1 - Introduction to DSLR lenses.

[Michael_2010]

Taking some courses would probably be a fun and excellent way to stretch your boundaries a little, if time is not a problem.

From reading your original post, I get the impression that you are interested in low light situations and possibly experimenting with shallow depth of field. You could do both of those things with a nifty fifty and not be out a lot of money. Once you have mastered some of the techniques needed to produce such photos, you could invest in a better lens with more focal range.

My favorite all-around lens is the Canon 24-105mm, but it only has a maximum aperture of f/4. I use it on both an XSi and a 7D. All the talk about its limitations on a crop body have very little impact on the end result for most hobbyists, imo.

[Sweetlifephoto]

If you are bored with your work the answer is almost never found in a new piece of gear. Gear is a tool that can sometimes help you fulfill a vision but it does not provide vision or inspiration, that comes from within. Before you go off and buy anything do something to get you inspired or focused like a 365 project or pick a subject, like old people or boats or whatever you get excited about and only shoot that for a month. Experiment, take a class or try and put your spin on images that inspired you to pick up a camera in the first place. Good luck!

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Sweetlifephoto

If you are bored with your work the answer is almost never found in a new piece of gear. Gear is a tool that can sometimes help you fulfill a vision but it does not provide vision or inspiration, that comes from within. Before you go off and buy anything do something to get you inspired or focused like a 365 project or pick a subject, like old people or boats or whatever you get excited about and only shoot that for a month. Experiment, take a class or try and put your spin on images that inspired you to pick up a camera in the first place. Good luck!

+100

Don't get caught up in the "better gear will help me become a better photographer" trap.
There's nothing "wrong" with the 18-55.
You need to determine what type of photographer you are/want to become, what kind of working style you have/want to develop, and what genre you focus on/want to focus on....THEN we can help you decide what might be best...but THEN you probably won't need our help.

[SnowflakeMama]

Wow, so much food for thought, thank you all!

I'm going to take all advice, in this order:
1. Carry my camera everywhere, practise, and keep shooting. I'll pick a project, and even though I am not entirely comfortable with it, I will post pictures for critique. Can't get better if I don't know where I can improve, right?

2. Sign up for a course - because I know I make a better effort when someone else tells me to, and I am often most inspired by other people who are doing the same things I am. And, this will give me another opportunity to show my photos and ask for feedback.

3. Pick up a 50mm 1.8. I think what I find most frustrating with the 18-55 is that I really want to explore larger apertures. Since I am a stay-at-home mom, about 90% of my photos right now are of my kids, many in low light situations. Plus, this lens has the added bonus of forcing me to "zoom with my feet" as Madog said.

4. Then, sometime later I'll take another look at the 24-70mm and see if my shooting needs have changed. I would LOVE to explore and try other types of photography, but my reality is that I'm stuck with the kiddies A LOT, and there just isn't time for that right now. Someday...

Anyway, thank you all again for your suggestions, they are all sincerely appreciated!