How long have most of you been at this?

[addicted_to_WDW]

The photography thing?

I lurk here all of the time, soaking up wisdom and being in awe of the pictures. I'm a novice but I'm improving simply by taking many of the suggestions y'all post. Thanks! Someday I may even become brave enough to post a pic or two.

How long did it take you to become a proficient photographer? Did you improve mostly by trial and error or by a more traditional, textbook approach?

 

[ktulu]

Long enough to know that I still have lots to learn

 

[jann1033]

proficient? haven't reached that yet but like you said, i think I'm improving. I've been interested in photography for over 30 yrs but never had a slr till about 2000 or so, took a photo. class in high school ( 30+ yrs ago) so naturally didn't remember a whole whole lot. ( also have memory problems which doesn't help) but when i got my rebel xt last summer, the whole switch to digital thing about did me in so I've been taking 1000s of photos since , reading a lot( here, books, other websites) and am making fewer mistakes now. for me, maybe because of the memory thing i have to read it about 6 times, practice it about 600 times and then finally a tiny little light bulb goes off

just want to add, there is a wide range of skill levels here so you really don't have to feel embarrassed to post anything...and if you wonder why something didn't work out how you planned it, ask, i have more times than i care to admit and no one has ever been mean to me here,

 

[deletedpenguin]

I think you can always learn and always become a better photographer. There's no real "I made it" point.

 

[ukcatfan]

For learning more, many people like the books from Bryan Peterson. The most popular is Understanding Exposure, but he has others and one is geared more towards digital.

I have been interested in photography for a long time, but did not do much more than vacation shots until I got my first digital in '01 (Oly D460). Not having to pay for each shot really opened the door for me. Since then, I have had a Canon A70, S1 IS, A520, S2 IS, and now a Pentax K100D.

I have spent a lot of time and money on photography stuff, but still not as much as I have spent on golf over the years. One round averages four hours and ~$40-50, so by comparison this photography stuff is cheap.

Kevin

 

[Master Mason]

I got my first camera when I was about 5, it was a mick o matic used 126 film and looked like a micky head, you pulled his ear to make it take the picture.

I used my dad's cameras though HS until he bought me a Petax K1000, when the kids came I switched to p&s for the ease, and then went digital p&s but was never happy with the shutter lag. Last year I upgraded to the XT and have taken about 10K photos since.

And the true answer is I don't think you ever arrive, there are some very very talented people here, some profesional others just for the love of it. I think everyone of them will tell you they are still learning.

Me, I just want to get better, time and practice is the key, take lots of pictures, some will be good, others will get deleated they are so bad, but think about what your doing, don't just push the button.

 

[dturner]

Let's see, I've been taking pictures seriously for about 27 years.

I started taking photography serious after I graduated high school (1980) - I took tons of concert pictures in the 80's with an all-manual Yashica FX3 which I still have and still works (I loved that camera). I also did a lot of little league team pictures and some weddings during the 80's.

I took all the photography classes available at a junior college (1982-1988 and yes I would take the same classes over just to get to use the darkroom) and then years later after I was laid off from a job I went to East Texas State University full time to major in photography (1990-1993 - one of the few places that you could actually get a photography degree) -- never got the degree, I still lack 27 credit hours.

Last October I switched from my trusty ole Yashica FX3 to a digital Canon Rebel XT and I just love it.

Still learning - I think your always learing with photography.

 

[Groucho]

Like the others said, I also don't consider myself "there", it's always a challenge to improve yourself. And the more you know, the more you realize how much more there is to know!

I always liked photography but got more seriously into it shortly after high school, and picked up a Pentax K1000 (still using it!) and took a photography class in college. The K1000 was the only camera I used until I finally picked up a digital camera a few years ago (Fuji 6x zoom), knowing that I'd be giving up a lot of capability in exchange for digital. When I upgraded to a Minolta 12x zoom, I was disappointed enough in the image quality (due to noise levels) that getting a DSLR jumped up in priority. Picked up my Pentax DSLR last year and have been pretty hardcore back into photography since then.

It's amazing how the simple feel of a "proper" camera is so important, IMHO, to stimulating one's interest and attitude towards taking photos. Even if the image quality was identical to a PnS, I just love the feel of an SLR, with real focus rings, zoom rings, etc.

 

[tinksdad]

I have spent a lot of time and money on photography stuff, but still not as much as I have spent on golf over the years. One round averages four hours and ~$40-50, so by comparison this photography stuff is cheap.

Kevin

I LOVE that!!! Can I quote you on that???


Honey, don't forget I "could" take up golf instead..........



Like some here, I've been interested/fascinated with photography for years. But never really serious about it until about a couple of years ago. Getting a camera like the D200 (or any other DSLR) DEMANDS that you pay attention to some of the basic tenants of photography and spend the time to learn to do it right.
I'm still working on it!! It's the journey, right?

 

[ukcatfan]

I LOVE that!!! Can I quote you on that???


Honey, don't forget I "could" take up golf instead..........

The problem is when you have more than one hobby/sport. Plus, anytime it involves Disney, then costs seem to increase!!! You can use this one for a little more ammo. A typical round of golf at WDW is proabably around $100-150. To add to that, a beginner would likely need a dozen balls per round at around $30-40. With that amount, you are half way to a good lens already!

Kevin

 

[Gdad]

Well- as has been mentioned already I don't think I would call myself a proficient photographer, or ‘there’- etc. but I do enjoy photography and have for a long time. My father shot B&W film photography as a hobby in the 80’s and had the whole darkroom setup in the house. I helped with that and did some stuff on my own. I actually learned to shoot with an old Argus C4 until I finally got a Canon AE-1. I took some photography classes- belonged to some groups- etc. in High School and College.

Then when digital P&S cameras became available I abandoned film quite quickly. For years after that with a family and little ones I was content with this- and the hobby kind of stagnated. I think there was just too much other stuff going on and I was just being cheap or lazy about it. I always enjoyed and appreciated good photography, however, reading books- viewing exhibitions- etc. whenever I could. It’s funny because I know at one time I learned a lot of the textbook rules of photography, composition, etc. but I really don’t think about them too much. I know what I like when I look at other peoples work and I know what I like in my own. I guess that occasionally translates on some level when I snap a shot- don’t ask me how.

The catalyst that got me back into real photography a year or so ago was my kids and wanting to get better quality photographs of them and their activities. I think more important at the time than image quality was timing and the slight delay my P&S at the time had. So I got a DSLR and it has definitely rekindled my interests in many other aspects of photography as well. I am really enjoying it quite a bit these days- including the Photoshop aspects of working with files and relating that to my memories in the darkroom.

And I also have to really agree with Groucho on this point. A Single Lens Reflex camera just feels fight to me. I absolutely love my camera. I love the way it feels in my hand. I love the way it snaps into focus in a split second. I love the way the shutter sounds in my ear. Good stuff.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm similar to many. My father gave me his AE-1 when I was in high school and I spent many an hour photographing everything in sight. The hobby petered out in college and afterwards life moved so fast that P&S was the way to go for me. I still loved taking pictures, I just didn't have time to focus (ha!) on it.

I don't have a digital SLR, though I still have my old film Minolta 500. Thanks to its legion of fans (mostly here), I have the Canon S3 and am having a great time with it. We'll see where it takes me.

You are all so talented. Thanks to you there are many people whose pictures are getting better and better.

 

[photo_chick]

My Dad was into photography so my sisters and I all got cameras for out 10th birthdays. I got my first SLR in junior high, it was a Pentax 110 SLR. THough it really was still pretty automatic, it has a regualr and telephoto lens and you have to focus it-- no shutter or aperture controls. I felt very professional on my 8th grade trip to DC with it. When I first went to college I took a photography class and my Dad gave me his old Pentax 35mm SLR. IT was completely manual, not a bit of electronics in the thing. Then later my DH got the Rebel G which I quickly appropriated for myself. I ended up changing my major to photography when I transferred to a 4 year school, but then I had 2 kids so right now I am on a break. It has been a 7 year break. I kinda stepped away from shooting with my SLR when I got my digital point and shoot. I regret that. I seriously lost my chops and ego when I did that. You have to have a little ego to pull this stuff off. Anyhow about a week before my Dad died in 2005 he bought himslef a Rebel XT. He left all his cameras to me, so he once again gave me a camera. That got me back to using a "real" camera and thinking more like a photographer with it in my hands. It also got me more determined to finish my degree, something that I had put aside.

That is my longwinded yet abridged personal history. Now do I consider my self a good phtoographer? I used to, before I had kids. I used to be good and win awards and scholarships for my work. Now I feel I am ok. It is very hard to get back to that mindset of considering everything when you have the camera in your hands. What used to be instinct now has to be foced out liek when I first started. I think this is also because now instead of shooting things that don't move I am chasing my 2 kids with the camera. Sometimes to the point where my DD says "Mommy can we stop now, my cheeks hurt from smiling." It is very different shoting a moving target! Every now and then I see a glimpse of the type of work I used to do. I joke that my photography skills were in the part of my brain they must have taken out during my c-sections!

How did I learn? School, books, LOTS of practice. Coming here has helped get me back in the right mindset as well. I find this board less intimidating than many of the others I have visited.

I will stop babbling now.

 

[DVC Jen]

I don't think I am even close to beign anywhere let alone "there". I have had my dSLR since early December and have learned so much since then.

 

[handicap18]

I'm not there, but I am here. The problem with there is that its always going to be there, it will never be here.

Anywho,,, I got my first camera when I was 11 I think. Basic P&S 126 film camera. Took many photos with that, then moved on to a Kodak Disk. When I got to HS I took all the photo classes they had and really started to like it. Thats when I decided I needed an SLR. The first one I got was really a film bridge camera. Zoom lens that could come off, but not much else. Again, took many many pics with that. After college, I moved on to Nikon. First an N6006 for about 7 years, then the N70 which I still have and now for almost a year and a half a D50 dSLR.

While for all those years I used the Nikon slr's, I really only used them as a glorified P&S. They took great pics, but I never really got myself out of Auto or Progam mode. Since going digital I have relearned most of what I learned in HS. Now the only time my camera goes in AUTO is when I hand it to someone else to take a pic so I can be in it. I try paying more attention to the light and where it is and what I want my depth of field to be.

I am by no means a great photographer, but I love taking pics. Probably 60% of my pics are of my kids. I also try and take some time for myself and do a photo day. I'll pick an area and make it my own personal photo shoot. Doing things like that along with spending time on this board have improved my photos. Thats really all you can ask for in the end.

 

[fitzperry]

I have spent a lot of time and money on photography stuff, but still not as much as I have spent on golf over the years. One round averages four hours and ~$40-50, so by comparison this photography stuff is cheap.

I love this logic! If memory serves, I've played golf exactly three (well, maybe 4) times since my first child was born almost 8 years ago. Just think of all the $$ I've saved. Of course, dh rarely plays anymore either, so I can't justify my expenditures that way, but he has dropped a fair amount of cash on ski trips and some new equipment in recent months, so I think I should be able to order a new D200 with no guilt, right?

To answer the original question, I've always had an interest in photography but never took the time to cultivate it until I had children and the lousy pictures I was taking weren't coming close to capturing the beauty I saw in them. The flip side to that of course is that they keep me so busy I've barely touched my camera in months. Anyway, I got my first dslr about 2 1/2 years ago because I desperately wanted more manual control and no shutter lag. I've been trying, with varying degrees of success, to improve my skills ever since.

Not sure why, but I find it interesting how many people here had film slr cameras and switched to digital point & shoots. Most of the film slr users I know IRL waited to make the switch until the dslrs were within reach.

 

[handicap18]

I have spent a lot of time and money on photography stuff, but still not as much as I have spent on golf over the years. One round averages four hours and ~$40-50, so by comparison this photography stuff is cheap.

Kevin

I love this logic! If memory serves, I've played golf exactly three (well, maybe 4) times since my first child was born almost 8 years ago. Just think of all the $$ I've saved. Of course, dh rarely plays anymore either, so I can't justify my expenditures that way, but he has dropped a fair amount of cash on ski trips and some new equipment in recent months, so I think I should be able to order a new D200 with no guilt, right?

$700+ for Custom fitted golf clubs, $100 bag, $30 for a pull cart, $30 for a small box of PRO V1's (that might last 1/2 a season if I'm lucky), $30 green fee's for 9 holes.

Before kids I was golfing 2 or 3 times a week. Now, (my oldest is 5) I don't remember when the last time I golfed was. I know I went to the driving range once last year.

Oh and I wont get into how much I've spend on ski equipment ($500 ski's, $150 bindings, $250 boots, $300 gortex jacket, $100 pants, $30 for gloves!). Mostly because its been longer since I've skiied than I've played golf. DW and I went a few times the first winter we were married. 15 years ago I was going up to Vermont or New Hampshire just about every weekend. $30-$48 lift tickets,,, ouch. Oh and the apre ski parties,,, We wont get into bar tabs!!!

Photography is definately a bargain!

 

[photo_chick]

Before kids I was golfing 2 or 3 times a week. Now, (my oldest is 5) I don't remember when the last time I golfed was. I know I went to the driving range once last year.

DH had this problem. I got him one of the cage nets and an astro turf tee box so he can hit in the back yard, his dad supplied a grocery sack full of old range balls (that just sounds dirty). The kids (4 and almost 7) have their own clubs and hit with him now. My clubs have not seen the light of day in a few years though.

Both photography and golf don't add up to as much as being a hard core gamer though.

 

[photo_chick]

I'm not there, but I am here. The problem with there is that its always going to be there, it will never be here.

I totally agree.

Also anyone who says they know all there is to know clearly does not know anything. (got that form a fortune cookie)

 

[boBQuincy]

I have been serious about photography since about 1972. I built a darkroom, which I moved several times and finally shut down in 2001 when I went fully digital.

Every time I go on a photo expedition I think to myself "ya' know, I think I'm finally getting the hang of this photography thing", then I take a good look at my images and think of all the things I could have done better.

It gives me a reason to go again!
And to buy more stuff to make up for my lack of knowledge!

Auto racing is more expensive, I don't need to get back into that but it's a good way to get more camera equipment. Whenever I mention racing DW quickly says "Why don't you buy a lens instead?".