Who wants to be my Photo-Sensi?

[theantiquetiger]

I am serious!!! I am wondering if anyone would like to take me under their wing, give me assignments and exercises, and critique my work, giving me pointers of what and what-not to do.

I feel I am just wondering around aimlessly with no direction in my learning of the art of photography.

I also get the feeling that I am sometimes spamming the board with junk. I'm not looking to be the next George O'Keef, Ansel Adams, etc; I'm just looking to take high quality shots to where I will never have to hire a photographer again for my daughters, and maybe have a nice hobby of photography on the side.

[Greg_R]

One of the things you could start with (and I'm shamelessly lifting this from a quick intro course I took at a local art centre), is the next time you head to shoot you limit yourself to 5 shots only. This will force you to think about how you compose your shots, what subject matter you like to shoot, etc...what he referred to as 'seeing photographically'.

This can help cure the 'shotgun' approach, where you shoot anything and everything and hope for one or two good photos. I know I would rather walk away with one great shot versus 500 mediocre shots.

[Iguanasan]

If you are looking for more structure you might try this: PHONAR – A free and open photography class I signed up since it was free. They've just gotten started and I think you might still be able to get in.

[Marko]

Hope it wasn't a critique that's getting you down, but it's hard when you're just re-getting into something and digital is different than film in quite a few ways. You are still learning some basics but once those are over, your smile will be superwide! The only answer here is practice - and your local camera club may also be a best friend for extra practical hands on advice.

and yup slowing down is indeed important. Greg's idea is fab! 5 shots only.

As a helping tool try to keep a few of these pointers in mind.
- Always look around the frame as much as possible to see what is going on. This is especially true when you have the time to do so. Many people only look at the focal point, but the entire image counts. Maybe use a tripod as that slows you down even more.
Think about what is interesting in the scene (colour, lighting, pattern, lines, curves, shapes, juxtaposition, drama, emotion) or create the scene from scratch.
Hope that may help.

[theantiquetiger]

Hope it wasn't a critique that's getting you down

None what so ever!!!! If anything, I wish my critiques were a little harsher. I am thick skinned, it don't bother me. I guess my best advantage right now is that I know my stuff is junk.

I have noticed HUGE changes in my shots already in just the month I've been here, but just cannot that hump to make it over, to go from poor shots to something noteworthy.

[Marko]

Good glad it wasn't the feedback.
More honesty then - lol.
A month really isn't even close to enough time to get over a hump. You are aware that photography school takes multiple years right? Sure you can quicken learning on the Net but it's gonna take a while. Simple as that. I think many of the regular members here will attest to that fact. Photography has many many facets, I think the slowing down will help.

[Mad Aussie]

I have noticed HUGE changes in my shots already in just the month I've been here, but just cannot that hump to make it over, to go from poor shots to something noteworthy.

You have your answer right there. You are already learning at a strong rate from lots of people with lots of experience with lots of different styles and opinions. There are 2 assignments right here at ph.ca every month so get into those as well.
My advice is not to try to get everything great at once. Maybe pick a couple of techniques and subject matters and then really hook into those. In this way you will see your improvement in a more specific way. For instance, you might go for landscapes and perhaps light/shadow shots. If so, forget the HDR's etc ... just get good at those two first. They would teach you about composition (so very important to learn first) as well as controlling light (the backbone of photography).
One month is nothing mate ... it takes someone about 6 months to really step up to high quality levels, and many take longer than that. But in that time the improvement curve is steep for those that try hard and don't take critiques to heart.

[Iguanasan]

Great advice so far. To try and put things in perspective, Tiger, I spent a few years playing with film 20+ years ago and have been shooting digital since 2003. I've gotten seriously hooked and moved to a DSLR about 2 1/2 years ago and many of my images still suck. It takes lots and lots of practice but you are absolutely right that you've improved in the short while you've been here. Keep at it and and it will continue to get better.