Frustration issues with photograpy

[fsendel]

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've been around here but in the past I have had very positive responses from the crowd here, so I have an issue now that I wanted to comment on with everyone.

Sometimes I get frustrated photography, with a couple of things:

1. I go out and take a shot of a subject, whatever, say a seagull. Then I go back home and post in online, only to find that there are thousands of shots of seagulls that are many times better! So in times like this it makes me wonder , why bother at all? I was wondering if you ever have similar frustrations and what to do about them, because in general I do enjoy shooting.

2. Sometimes I look at my collection of shots and get frustrated because I just don't know what to do with all of them! Does this ever happen to you? There are only so many shots I can print and hang on the wall or give as presents!


Anyway... I've had this on my mind the past few days and was wondering what you guys think.

Happy 2011 from Mexico!

Federico

[Mad Aussie]

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've been around here but in the past I have had very positive responses from the crowd here, so I have an issue now that I wanted to comment on with everyone.

Sometimes I get frustrated photography, with a couple of things:

1. I go out and take a shot of a subject, whatever, say a seagull. Then I go back home and post in online, only to find that there are thousands of shots of seagulls that are many times better! So in times like this it makes me wonder , why bother at all? I was wondering if you ever have similar frustrations and what to do about them, because in general I do enjoy shooting.
I think your last statement helps to answer this one. As they say, it's not only the destination that matters, it's the journey as well.
You enjoy shooting ... so keep shooting. If you want to compete with other peoples work, then you will need to take positive steps towards reaching that goal. You will need to look at their work (or get us to) and diagnose where your own offerings are lacking and then work specifically on those weaknesses. It could be an exciting turn in your photography.
And, there's ALWAYS someone better it seems ... we ALL have that problem! Accepting that and focusing on what is really important to ourselves in photography, our art, our recreation is what's important most.




2. Sometimes I look at my collection of shots and get frustrated because I just don't know what to do with all of them! Does this ever happen to you? There are only so many shots I can print and hang on the wall or give as presents!
Well, there's several ways for an amateur photographer to use their photos.
Online albums are fairly obvious. For example Flickr allows you to join 'groups' and show your photos of a specific theme and get some feedback from others in the group. Not usually very specific feedback and you have to sift through a lot of rubbish but what the hell.
Recently we got a 40 inch Digital TV that has a built in photo slide-show. Now when friends and relatives arrive they can watch my photos rolling over which is great for conversation and it's nice to see my photos getting used.
A blog could be another option perhaps.

[Wicked Dark]

I know how you feel, but if you enjoy shooting you can work on developing a more distinct style if it bothers you. You can also try and find unusual subjects or locations. Or find a way to photograph a mundane object in a different way. Otherwise just enjoy the process. I blogged a little bit about this subject - The Shots I Don't Take (http://wickeddarkphotography.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/the-shots-i-dont-take/) - if you want to check it out.

[Iguanasan]

Both have given great advice so far but I'm going to chime in too as I have had the same feelings from time to time. A few of the things that keep me going is that I keep trying to get that shot of the seagull that no one else has ever gotten. I check out the shots I've taken and find the ones that didn't turn out the way I wanted and try to understand why so that next time that doesn't happen or at least I can get more successful shots than unsuccessful.

One of my projects that I have is my "photo of the week" at work. I print one 8x10 every week and post it outside my office cubical for anyone who cares to view. I share photos here and on Flickr too but those are just digital copies.

The biggest drive I have is to create new images. It doesn't really matter to me how many great shots or horrible shots I have taken in the past, I feel driven to create the next image with as much skill as possible.

[Andrew]

I've taken many photographs since the mid sixty's and I only know of a few that I was totally satisfied with. You also know that most really good shots in magazines and advertising are one of hundreds taken by the photographer. He had bad ones too. Keep shooting, keep learning, keep evaluating, keep changing, keep sharing and most importantly keep having fun.

[Mad Aussie]

I've taken many photographs since the mid sixty's and I only know of a few that I was totally satisfied with. You also know that most really good shots in magazines and advertising are one of hundreds taken by the photographer. He had bad ones too. Keep shooting, keep learning, keep evaluating, keep changing, keep sharing and most importantly keep having fun.

I was out yesterday teaching a group about their new cameras and told them this very thing. Very few people can claim they take a good shot every time ... and many of them are lying ;)

[Iguanasan]

I was out yesterday teaching a group about their new cameras and told them this very thing. Very few people can claim they take a good shot every time ... and many of them are lying ;)

Very true. I shot about 10,000 frames in 2010 and I probably only got a handful of shots with which I was really satisfied.

[Peter]

For me it’s getting out and about. I have explored different areas of my city and the area surrounding it on a mission of taking a great photo. If I don't get that photo it’s no big deal It was fun trying. I was a hunter and I would spend hours reconnoitring areas for the future hunting season. That was more fun then the kill. Now I’m hunting with my camera. Peata loves me and I still have the thrill of the hunt. Its fun.

[fsendel]

Well I am very glad to have gotten so many responses. Thanks a lot! I will surely keep all of this in mind from now on and I will keep on shooting! I'll also come back here and share some shots :)

[Wicked Dark]

I'm with you on the exploring Peter. So many new to me places that I'd never seen before. Tomorrow I plan to hit another one. It's just about the most fun aspect.

[Marko]

Fine responses to this thread :highfive:

I've been shooting for over 20 years and if i had to guess my (fussy) ratio of REAL keepers to trash bin I'd guess something like 35 : 1 (It used to be a bit lower when I had to pay for film)
darwin wiggett (http://darwinwiggett.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/hidden-gems-of-2010/) just blogged about this as well. He's an awesome landscape pro
"I probably shot over 10,000 photos but only kept 1300. These 1300 are use-able to sell in stock or for magazine articles etc. I probably only like really like about 20-40 though."

in terms of what to do with all the shots - one idea is self publishing
lulu.com
blurb.com
mpix.com etc.

Hope that helps - Marko

[Wicked Dark]

my year ended up similarly, Marko. I shot 10,000 frames give or take, and about 1000 of them are keepers that I shared online. Of those 1000 maybe 60 are outstanding.

[kat]

One can actually be satisfied with a photo? LMAO! I have yet to get that one photo that I look at and say yes! That is a lie..I've done it for a couple but as time goes by and I look back at them..they are no longer what I initially felt of them.

I think we are always growing. Our likes/dislikes and tastes refine with time and with that..so does our shots.

I too find this frustrating. Although more so for my husband who can glance at a photo and think it's just great but I tear it apart. He says I can take the fun right out of it. So, I try to enjoy the not so perfect too..because after all..those shots have a memory to go with them. Even if it's just for me.

[Bambi]

this thread reminds me of this graphic:10765

[casil403]

As far as self publishing...I did for Christmas this year photo calendars and a coffee table book for friends and family. I used Blurb for the book and Snapfish for the calendars...all good! I also use my shots for stationary and cards which I both give to friends and keep for myself. Kind of like a homemade Christmas.
I'd say so far the Keepers vs Tossers ratio is about bang on to those of the others here. My keep ratio is getting higher than it was initially though which comes with practice.... practice...and more practice.
I agree that the most fun about it all is the just getting out part. The most difficult is when you are "out" with people that do not share the same passion about photography as you do and would rather say "go and get a hotdog in town over staying and exploring an old abandoned ghost town"....which happened to me last year on a trip to Montana! :headslap: Turned out the hotdog place was closed too which in my mind was a bit of Karma! http://www.emofaces.com/en/emoticons/b/big-grin-emoticon.gif
That graph pretty much says it all! :laughing:

[Kawarthabob]

First off, You are your own worst critic, like the rest of us. What you think ahhh, someone else see's as great. Myself, I try to out do myself everytime i go out. Study your subject. You gave the seagull as a for instance. Learn it's behaviours, read more about it then read some more. Take pictures that tell a story. This is what i've tried to do in the past year and it has worked wonders for me at least.

[fsendel]

Thanks to all! I love this forum! :) I had never heard about self publishing your pictures, I'll look into it.