Progressing from Beginner to Master

[MarkBarbieri]

It seems to me that there are different phases that a photographer passes through on their way from Beginner to Master.

Stage 1 - Point and Shoot
A photographer starts out by just pointing the camera at what they find interesting a taking pictures. When they get home and look at their pictures, they wonder why their pictures aren't as good as they would like them to be. This spurs them to learn more.

Stage 2 - Learning the Basics
In this phase, the photographer memorizes a bunch of rules to help them take better pictures. They learn a bunch of rules about thirds, apertures, filling the frame, and stuff like that. When they take pictures, they try hard to remember the rules and apply them. Taking pictures is a lot more work, but their pictures are better for it. They still aren't as good as they'd like. This spurs them to learn more.

Stage 3 - Knowing the Basics
In this phase, the photographer now knows all of those basic rules that they learned in the Stage 2. The difference is that they no longer have to think about the rules. Now, shooting starts to become more natural again. Their pictures are a little better and a lot less work. They still aren't as good as they'd like. This spurs them to learn more.

Stage 4 - Knowing When to Break the Rules
In this phase, the photographer not only knows the rules and uses them naturally, they really understand the rules and why they work. With this knowledge, they now understand when to break the rules. This enables them to truly start experimenting. Their experiments aren't just random attempts to do something different. Now, they can envision what they want and figure out how to make it happen. Their pictures still aren't as good as they'd like. This spurs them to learn more.

Stage 5 - Expanding Technical Horizons
In this phase, the photographer is starting to add unusual techniques to their bag of tricks. They are experimenting with advanced light control, not just bouncing their flash. They are working with HDR images. They are using specialized lenses and other specialty gear. They are doing these things not because they are emulating something they've read; they are doing these things to help them achieve their own creative vision. Their pictures still aren't as good as they'd like. This spurs them to learn more.

Stage 6 - Mastery
In this phase, the photographer has mastered all of gear. They intuitively understands how and why each piece of equipment does what it does. They no how to make even the most impossible seeming shots work. Their pictures still aren't as good as they'd like. They realize that improving is a never ending quest. They realize that if they ever reach the point that they are completely satisfied, it will not be because they have perfected their art. It will be because they have ceased growing and learning.

 

[blackears]

Once again, great info Mark...According to this, I am on Step 2.5. I see others, read alot and shoot alot, all while wondering how to make my shots better. I am trying to wean myself off of Auto and constantly experimenting w/ other modes. This site has done alot for my quest for answers and info. I am still amazed that I am finding most of my photog info from a Disney forum

 

[Jeff Fillmore]

Stage 1 - Point and Shoot
A photographer starts out by just pointing the camera at what they find interesting and taking pictures.

I will never go to Stage 2 - In all seriousness this statement completely summarizes my approach to photography.

 

[DVC Jen]

I will never go to Stage 2 - In all seriousness this statement completely summarizes my approach to photography.

Jeff you are waaayyyyy past stage 2. Just because you point your camera at something that interests you and take a photo doesn't mean you haven't progressed well beyond stage two it means you can point your camera at something that interests you - and turn it into a photograph that also captures the interest of other people.

That is something the snap shot shooter doesn't do and why (in some cases) it is so incredibly painful to sit and look through hundreds of vacation shots.

I have never seen a shot of yours that that bored me.

 

[pointandshoot]

I will never go to Stage 2 - In all seriousness this statement completely summarizes my approach to photography.

Vision makes a difference. I go on photowalks with my 10 year old daughter. She shoots on program mode but has a curiosity and abililty to see that blows my images away. She has even reached the finals in a few contests. I can make good technical images. She takes interesting pictures and creates art.

You can have fun and make great images in Phase 1. I sometimes wish I could back to that stage and focus on vision first.

Chuck

 

[Jeff Fillmore]

Jeff you are waaayyyyy past stage 2. Just because you point your camera at something that interests you and take a photo doesn't mean you haven't progressed well beyond stage two it means you can point your camera at something that interests you - and turn it into a photograph that also captures the interest of other people.

That is something the snap shot shooter doesn't do and why (in some cases) it is so incredibly painful to sit and look through hundreds of vacation shots.

I have never seen a shot of yours that that bored me.

LOL- Thanks Jen. I appreciate the comment but in reading through the list I don't know the wheels are turning all that much. I do know what I find pleasing when I look at a photograph or through the lens- but how that translates into actual rules?

(I can send you a link to a bunch of painfully boring vacation shots if you like BTW. )

Vision makes a difference. I go on photowalks with my 10 year old daughter. She shoots on program mode but has a curiosity and abililty to see that blows my images away. She has even reached the finals in a few contests. I can make good technical images. She takes interesting pictures and creates art.

You can have fun and make great images in Phase 1. I sometimes wish I could back to that stage and focus on vision first.

Chuck

My 8 year old daughter has a D40 and when I posted some of her pictures a while back the discussion came up of encouraging kids creativity vs. understanding the operation of the camera. I think being creative is much more important. I don't get too hung up on what 'mode' the camera is in.

 

[°O°Joe]

Jeesh Jeff... looking at your pictures I would have thought you were in the "mastery" phase.

My thing that I need to learn more about is artificial flash lighting. Natural lighting I'm pretty good with, and at this point in my "photographic journey", I use natural or available lighting exclusively.

Great post Mark.

 

[ssanders79]

I think I am in somewhere in the middle. Sometimes I regress, sometimes I suprise myself.

I need to work on getting away from Auto WB and learing how each WB setting effects the pictures in camera vs messing around in Photoshop.

 

[WeLoveNemo]

Jeff, I appreciate what you're saying about not ever going onto stage 2. I don't hear defeat there, but resolve.

This week marks my birthday and the 3rd anniversary of the day I met my Nikon D50. I can look at a picture taken by someone else and know the concepts behind it, but to get further on my own than point at something I love and shoot, not happening (no matter how many times I read Understanding Exposure).

But, three years later, I am making pictures that make people happy to look at, including myself. I have to admit, I have developed a good eye. In fact, I am now getting a bit irritated by the line, "I have to get a camera like that, it takes such nice pictures" and just want to tell them that perhaps I had something to do with the pictures that camera took!

So, on this momentous occassion, I too am resolving to be the best "pointer and shooter" I can be, thanks to Lightroom and PSE, of course.

 

[annnewjerz]

So, on this momentous occassion, I too am resolving to be the best "pointer and shooter" I can be, thanks to Lightroom and PSE, of course.

Hey, at least you are honest!

I would like to say that I am a little combination of a few stages. I shoot things I like, so that's a little of stage 1. I am learning the concepts (but don't always put them to good use) so that's a little of stage 2. I try to throw out the rules every once in a while...I don't ALWAYS fill my frame, sometimes I actually like a photo to be slightly under or overexposed, etc...so that's a little of stage...what...4??

I do have to say though that when you are a complete beginner, looking at a beautiful photo someone took does make you a little envious of their camera, not the photographer.

One photo I saw recently was of Jeff's christmas cookies in the holiday thread. I thought it was an awesome picture. Before getting my first dSLR I would have thought "WOW! If I had a D300 (or whatever) I could get that same shot!!", only to realize that having a D300 doesn't make you a better photographer necessarily, just gives you better tools...it's the skill, vision (and sometimes the editing software ) that makes the photo come out like it does.

I once saw a special on a famous fashion photographer who used disposable cameras (no lie). He may be the only exception to this rule, I don't think many people would be looking at him and envying his camera.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I do have to say though that when you are a complete beginner, looking at a beautiful photo someone took does make you a little envious of their camera, not the photographer.

One photo I saw recently was of Jeff's christmas cookies in the holiday thread. I thought it was an awesome picture. Before getting my first dSLR I would have thought "WOW! If I had a D300 (or whatever) I could get that same shot!!", only to realize that having a D300 doesn't make you a better photographer necessarily, just gives you better tools...it's the skill, vision (and sometimes the editing software ) that makes the photo come out like it does.

I once saw a special on a famous fashion photographer who used disposable cameras (no lie). He may be the only exception to this rule, I don't think many people would be looking at him and envying his camera.

In that same spirit, an interesting article: Your Camera Doesn't Matter (by Ken Rockwell )

 

[YEKCIM]

Very good, concise "scale", Mark. The recurring theme is, of course, that "I'm not there yet", in each stage of the progression. I've made progress, skills-wise, over the years - especially since going digital, but have yet to photograph a subject or event and not had the thought that I could have done a better job. If I ever get to the point that I think I've mastered it, it will probably be time to move on to another hobby, since I will obviously have become delusional.

I'm probably one of those "2.5" folks on your scale, too. I'm pretty comfortable with the gear I now own but still fumble with some basic features from time to time. For example, I still occasionally find that, having been shooting in low light using high-ISO, I then walk outside into the bright sun and - D'OH! - still shooting at ISO 800! Dummy!

Joe, I agree with wanting to learn more about flash photography. I messed around with CLS over the weekend, just enough to get my feet wet, but in the process realized that I need to spend a lot more time learning how to use off-camera flash.

Jeff, your comment about composition vs mechanics is right on target, IMO. Today's gear is so sophisticated that it really frees the shooter to concentrate on good composition and to worry less about exposure, focus, etc, since the camera will do a pretty good job automatically.

Last comment is a general one about digital vs film. Since moving to the digital world, my photography has improved quite a bit due to (1) ability to shoot tons of pictures but only show the keepers (2) ability to correct my (many) errors by cropping, straightening, tweaking exposure, etc. This is particularly true since I became a RAW convert (thanks again, Jeff!).

~Ed

 

[spinetnglr]

I guess I would put myself between 2 and 3 also. Some things I dont really think about anymore and others I still have to make a conscious effort to accomplish. I almost always look at my pictures afterwards and see things I could have done differently to improve the shot. The true fun for me is in the learning and improving ... a great picture occasionally along the way is icing on the cake.

 

[Evad]

I am at about 2.1 on the scale. I am always trying to improve. I don't think that will ever stop. Like Ed said, if and when you become a master it may be time to move on. There will always be something new to try and learn. Here's to an on going adventure, may it never end!!

 

[wenrob]

In fact, I am now getting a bit irritated by the line, "I have to get a camera like that, it takes such nice pictures" and just want to tell them that perhaps I had something to do with the pictures that camera took!

This makes me want to lob my camera at people's heads. I had something to do with how that picture came out dam* it!
Like YEKCIM I think I'm at 2.5. I'm always looking at the pics and thinking I could do better, taking a pic and wondering why it's coming out so funky, oh yeah, I was doing xyz last night.
Love that my photo taking isn't limited to 24-36 shots and special occasions anymore and I don't think I'll ever stop learning, there's always going to something more I want to strive for. And flash, I really need to learn more about flash....
I've also finally decided to go exclusively RAW. I'm anxiously awaiting my LR2! (already read Kelby's book cover to cover in anticipation)

 

[jann1033]

well mark i think you are full of beans( ) i understand what you are saying and agree to a point but really i think the difference( didn't carefully read all the comments but from jeff's first one i think i might expand a little on that) from a "point and shoot" and a " master " has less to do with their mastery of rules/f stops than their "mastery" of being able to "see" what makes a good shot. naturally they need some technique but lots of time you see technically great boring shots...
daughter got married a few weeks back and found a great photographer( great to me) cause his shots not only were framed nicely etc, they also included an element of "surprise" when you looked at them. that to me makes a "master".
humerously, got 4 yr old granddaughter a camera finally( ended up with a best buy brand and a lanyard, so far so good, it had to be cheap, blue and small enough for her but didn't want the kids cameras) and not sure what step she's at but she has the technical "stance" down and shouts "got it" after every shot she takes so guess she likes what she is taking. she uses her left eye to look through a view finder( above mentioned photographer let her take some shots with his nikon and says that is supposed to be a sign of creativity) and kept trying to do that with the lcd

 

[jann1033]

I will never go to Stage 2 - In all seriousness this statement completely summarizes my approach to photography.

i think this proves my point...anybody looking at jeff's photos would be involved with them ( even though i think he knows the tech stuff as well)
pus of course i want to bug mark

 

[DVC Jen]

This makes me want to lob my camera at people's heads. I had something to do with how that picture came out dam* it!
Like YEKCIM I think I'm at 2.5. I'm always looking at the pics and thinking I could do better, taking a pic and wondering why it's coming out so funky, oh yeah, I was doing xyz last night.
Love that my photo taking isn't limited to 24-36 shots and special occasions anymore and I don't think I'll ever stop learning, there's always going to something more I want to strive for. And flash, I really need to learn more about flash....
I've also finally decided to go exclusively RAW. I'm anxiously awaiting my LR2! (already read Kelby's book cover to cover in anticipation)

How did you like Kelby's book? I posted on the smugmug dailies that I was struggling with CS4 and his books were suggested to me. I am going to order the CS4 book soon. Did you find him easy to understand? LOL cause that is what I need - very easy to read and understand. If it gets too technical for me at first - forget it!

 

[wenrob]

How did you like Kelby's book? I posted on the smugmug dailies that I was struggling with CS4 and his books were suggested to me. I am going to order the CS4 book soon. Did you find him easy to understand? LOL cause that is what I need - very easy to read and understand. If it gets too technical for me at first - forget it!

He's very easy to understand. (and funny too, in a cheesy sort of way)He gives you the ins and outs of things and then says, "Okay, that's out of the way here's exactly how I do it." I don't know if it's because I did use a trial of LR2 before so got it quicker but most of what he said I got pretty quick. I can see me referring to the book often, so it was worth buying it. Edited to add: I read it cover to cover in about 3days. Okay, I admit, I skipped the organization stuff. LOL but I have my own system that works well. Eventually I'll convert that to LR but right now, I'm leaving well enough alone.
Where the heck is that mail man?!

 

[DVC Jen]

He's very easy to understand. (and funny too, in a cheesy sort of way)He gives you the ins and outs of things and then says, "Okay, that's out of the way here's exactly how I do it." I don't know if it's because I did use a trial of LR2 before so got it quicker but most of what he said I got pretty quick. I can see me referring to the book often, so it was worth buying it. Edited to add: I read it cover to cover in about 3days. Okay, I admit, I skipped the organization stuff. LOL but I have my own system that works well. Eventually I'll convert that to LR but right now, I'm leaving well enough alone.
Where the heck is that mail man?!

Waiting is sooo hard isn't it? Thanks for the review on the book- sounds like I will be ordering it soon.