Folks! What have you learned from TP?

Oh, and I have learned the quality of the offerings for the calendar thread means I have a high standard to aspire to.
 
What have you learned?

That is a cracker of a question, and I think I can quite honestly say a very large amount, I bought my first DSLR in 2005 and I do not think I took it off auto until I started reading the threads and post here. I had read some books but the wrong ones then I lurked in the shadows as a guest for about a year just digesting and learning from others posts and questions.

I think the best thing I have learned is try what ever you want, don’t try to recreate things you have seen.

The most important thing I have found is to experiment, I am still not 100% on all the aspects of photography and I doubt I ever will be but as long as I learn something new every once in a while I am quite content as I am still going forward.

How have you improved?

Sometimes I think I have not if I am honest but then I look at the images I am producing now compared to when I started and I can see the changes.

I still forget the basics sometime and screw up my composition or exposure but I get more hits now, than back then, and I print and display a lot more too.

What makes you keep coming back?

The feed back which is unbiased and honest and the information that I am still obtaining from all the posts.
Also the people, everyone is helpful and friendly and there is a great community of like-minded people here.
Plus it is a bonus that meets are arranged and then all the images can be posted and commented on, which is great as your can learn from that process as well, you can see in your minds eye where the shot was taken from and how you could have improved your own work from a different perspective.
 
EdinburghGary said:
Excellent questions!

What have you learned?

Lots, and lots and lots, but ignoring some of the tips, tricks and other useful info, one thing sticks in my head more than anything. I have learned, that photography is more than taking photos. It's more than clicking a little black button and seeing the results on screen or in print. Its more than someones job, or the weekend hobby which helps you relax. I have learned, Photography is a certain mindset, a way of life if you will. It grabs you, and once it has a hold, nothing ever seems the same again. You walk the streets, and instead of looking at the lovely items in the displays, you are framing anything and everything in your head, working out depth of field and shutter speed without realising it. You are scanning every tiny bit of your vision for that next shot, and you can't wait to take it...then the great bit? Sharing them with your friends, your family of fellow photographers, and I have to say, its absolutely awesome that this place exicsts. Not only do you get to share what you love doing, day in and day out, but you also get to experience the whole thing again via the eyes of your peers. You see what they saw, you get a look into their vision, you take inspiration, and you learn. The whole process is a wierd type of fine tuning and before long, I really think the results start to pay off.

I'm going to stop rambling, or i'll get sore fingers. Long and short, this place is awesome, and I have learned loads, and hope to learn loads more.
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I have also learnt that Gary needs to write a book to tame his typing down on TP... :lol: joke

People like Gary,Marcel, Jimmy_lemon, Petemc, Chris, Matt, MArk, Mike... (the list continues) are avalible in the TP's IRC chatroom and are more then willing to help with questions instantly.
Photography for me, is not the best, fanciest or even that viewed but i know that continuing to hold the advice i recieve and apply this when "out in the field", my shots can only get better. In th few months i have bee doing this i have learnt so much about apeture/shutter speed.focal lenghts, parts of lighting that i can only be producing better shots then i originally did. And not forgetting my partner in crime Whittie, who we regularly go out and try to help each other on days out with the camera's.





P.S I need to declare a warning for people who may wish to visit the TP IRC Chatroom - Bring your wallet! They make you spend you life's savings in there!!!!!
 
I've learnt lots too

But also I find TP a relief from the sometimes loneliness of being a S/Emp person, it's almost like having mates in the next room you can chat to or simply view what's going on around the world in images

I too find inspiration to go Shoot something!

And learn from those far more technically adept than I

TP = Top Place :thumbs:

DD
 
I have learned that I took snaps, and still do, however there are photographs in my collection now. Also taking a photo is only part of the whole process, the software processing is the bit I wasn't aware of.
Thank you TP for helping me, and for making me want to improve.
Bill
 
I have learnt alot about technique and picked up a lot of tips along the way. I am learning what distingushes a photograph from a snap.
TP has stirred up what was already a passion to take good photographs, by getting to see others work, work that is far far above my standard, and also to see others improve and grown along the way. Thats a hugh inspiration. I am no where near close to taking decent shots yet, infact I feel that I am just outside of the snap bracket at the moment, but time, practice and TP will help me grow!

TP has taught me that there are thousand of poeple out there with the same passion, all wanting to help each other grow and improve! I am hooked!
 
Diego Garcia said:
Another note, being honest, I get the impression that I am not that liked on here as I try to convey honesty in my posts, which can be ambiguous due to text. Hope not, I am a decent chap.
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Well, I've been a member for just over a year, from the beginning I had seen your monicker rather alot amongst the various other regulars, I have paid attention to what you've been talking about, your photo's, your thoughts and beliefs and I would say your a like-able chap who I personally will always look forward to seeing your work and writings, there are many members here, too many to name really that I have become fond of and look out for whenever I can.
I learn from you lot and it eases the daily grind being able to read about the recent adventures and findings.

My thoughts on the honest approach (and I this is something I have learned from TP, so I feel it is relevant to the thread), is simply this:

Being honest, is about wanting to tell the truth how you as an individual perceive it.
In order to educate and inform with the best possible success rate one must impliment tact, one must be aware that sometimes the truth hurts but never the less it is the truth.
Critique can stir the worst in someone or widen perception and acceptance of error, it's up to you as the 'educater' how succesful you wish your message to be.

How much do you want your message to hit home?

IMO, along with us regular joe's, the more succesful, the more influencial, the more inspirational, the wiser and the more 'professional' members have the power/ability to make a positive change in someone. If they choose to.
They also can destroy and devastate. If they choose to.
It's about the words you choose. It is, after all, all we have here, images and letters.
It has nothing to do with 'sugar coating' them either. Nothing at all. It's about the choice of words and more importantly, your intention.

"Doctor!, My wife... is she going to make it!??"

"Erm, nah. She's a goner mate, Sweet F.A we can do about really, now if you'll excuse me..it's my lunch break and I'm starvin."

Was the Doc honest? 100% Yes, but about as tactful as a starving leopard.

This why folk get upset with the majority of 'honesty'.

If you may be that kind of person that we all look up to, then be aware that you have a power and the ability to either destroy or cultivate.
Also, the situation can be likened to dealing with problematic clients, you can either burn the bridge and never work with them again or you can help to ease the problems and still continue making money by doing business with them.

Are you trying to help improve someone or show them up for being a bit silly?

I think this is why folk who choose to use the "I was just being honest" train of thought are so stumped or get annoyed when all hell breaks loose. Not all the time mind, but certainly alot of the time.

Please don't think I'm having a dig Pete, I respect you as a photographer, an educater and a TP member. This is just my tuppence on the honest but tactless approach and it applies to everyone.

All the best.

T.
 
Honesty is key, but Thomas is right about tactfulness.

I like getting negative C&C, how else am I supposed to improve. I'd rather those with negaitive thoughts posted them than post nothing at all, otherwise I will never get anywhere. But to accompany negative C&C, tips would go a long way too. Offer help with them and it will really help out the OP. A few times I have had poeple leave -C&C, and so I ask a couple of questions to try and learn from them, but they never return to answer, thats my only frustration here really, but it doesn't happen much.

This thread should be What have you learned so far? As TP has also taught me its that Photography is a constant learning curve!
 
Well.. since i began with this photography lark(wish i'd discovered it in my earlier yrs),i was very self conscious walking about with camera in hand.would never dream of using a tripod or monopod in a public place,but now it's become second nature .If i'm out and about with the wife ,she comments that since i've taken up photography (bearing in mind it's totally down to my dear wife in the first place, god bless her ,she bought me a wee point and shoot for ma birthday (Hp photosmart M417) about 3 yrs ago) .Now she says i see life through a view finder ,how right she is,i can't help it :D. I'm also looking at the photos you guys put up on TP in a lot more detail and learning from them which is cool :).The banter on here some nights is better than any soaps .But JEEEEEZ!!!! it's an expensive hobby,i worked 108 hrs last week to cover costs :bang:
 
Diego Garcia said:
Another note, being honest, I get the impression that I am not that liked on here as I try to convey honesty in my posts, which can be ambiguous due to text. Hope not, I am a decent chap.
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I don't mind you actually. You're posts are generally on the right side of informative and they make a change from all the generic 'that's a really nice shot' posts. Sometimes you appear to be a bit condecending but don't we all when we're struggling to type in a manner that sounds real?

Too many folk on here try to show each other up but I'd say you don't fall into that category. I think you just like to say as you find.

Plus, you've got a long way to go before you're anywhere near as annoying as some regular 'know-it-all' posters...
 
specialman said:
some regular 'know-it-all' posters...
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Now you've just got everyone wondering who they are !!! :lol:

Re mxfun - I don't think it needs to be an expensive hobby, and certainly compared to many hobbies as soon as you've bought some decent gear the ongoing costs can be minimal

I sometimes act as a Judge for camera clubs and the starter for ten on any Critique has to be to find something good to comment on first, then add in how it perhaps could be improved

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
Re mxfun - I don't think it needs to be an expensive hobby, and certainly compared to many hobbies as soon as you've bought some decent gear the ongoing costs can be minimal
DD
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Thats the bit I am finding expensive, building up the decent kit!
 
Rob.7wood said:
Thats the bit I am finding expensive, building up the decent kit!
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Couldn't agree more ,am a gettin there though..:D prob is i've discovered landscape photography,could do with at least one decent wide lens .
 
mxfun said:
Couldn't agree more ,am a gettin there though..:D prob is i've discovered landscape photography,could do with at least one decent wide lens .
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I have discovered off camera flash.... now i need more flashes, stands, broliies... :lol:
 
Rob.7wood said:
I have discovered off camera flash.... now i need more flashes, stands, broliies... :lol:
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Don't get me started.. was in Ffordes at beauly the other day ,I WANT A JOB THERE!!!!!!that shop blows me away everytime.The wife had to drag me out screaming :D:D


It' snowing:eek:
 
I've learnt that good equipment doesn't always mean good photographs. I also now know I'm crap and critiquing peoples images. Best of all I've learnt that the internet isn't just full of lowlife criminals trying to rip you off..... well on here anyway ;) Long live the friendly communiTP.
 
Ajophotog said:
I've learnt that good equipment doesn't always mean good photographs. I also now know I'm crap and critiquing peoples images. Best of all I've learnt that the internet isn't just full of lowlife criminals trying to rip you off..... well on here anyway ;) Long live the friendly communiTP.
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:clap::clap::clap:
 
I learnt that there is a lot more to photography then meets the eye.

I used to hate it until I had to do a module on it at uni. Since then I have realized how much I love it and how much it will have an impact on my animation in years to come.

TP has taught me the basics X10 and has given me the opportunity to share what I probably wouldn't of have even with my mates. I learn a lot from other peoples mistakes and the criticism they receive on them.

I apologize if that doesn't make sense as I am kak at explaining things. :cuckoo:
 
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