Get out of your comfort zone!

[Kodiak Qc]

•

If this is not the right place,
please move to proper forum!
​

I see to many members sticking to what seems to be a winning
recipe. Doing so, will only confirm, time after time, that you are
doing well in that given area. Posting "x" number of photographs,
all a variation on a same theme, will unlikely stimulate you and the
other members to explore new avenues, techniques, approaches.

…or am I getting bored too fast?

 

[blakester]

@Kodiak Qc
I would say this would be better placed into talk photography but I'm sure a mod will move it in due course.

Back onto your OP, I wouldn't say you are getting bored too fast, I agree entirely with your point.
I think in order to progress or develop as a photographer we have to keep moving so to speak, keep challenging ourselves.
That is easier said than done I feel though.

Food for thought. I look forward with interest in others point of view on this.

 

[rob-nikon]

I can understand where you are coming from with this thought Daniel. I think a few enthusiasts combine photography with another passion hence they get railroaded down one path. Maybe it's about linking other genres of photography with their passion that may stimulate exploration. I mainly do wildlife as I like getting out and seeing wildlife as much as photographing it, landscapes for me is that other avenue that I'm trying to get something different. I find it's unlikely for me try street, portraits etc as they are far removed from my interests outside of photography.

Perhaps the way forward is to try opening a thread that gives everyone the same objective/theme each month. It may be a way to get people try different things.

 

[EdwardL]

Que?

I photograph all sorts of things but feel I'm rather a jack-of-all-trades apart from one particular genre of photograph I take. Sometimes I wish I didn't try so many subjects (e.g. landscapes, nature, macro, studio, people, etc) as I might actually improve my standard in one or two areas

Horses for courses I suppose!

 

[shreds]

You only have to go to a camera club in the UK or even a forum competition to discover how most people (boringly) stay in their comfort zone. We can usually predict who took what in a competition which goes to show that stagnation is rife.

I suppose everyone likes to be good at one thing, but once they have achieved that, they often want to continue to win championship points or look good to their friends.

It can take time and criticism to change. It wont be instant, but undoubtedly is worthwhile for all concerned when it is achieved..

 

[gramps]

 

[Kodiak Qc]

better placed into talk photography

•



Is that something I can do myself following your pointer?

 

[blakester]

•



Is that something I can do myself following your pointer?

Afraid not Daniel, that's a job for a mod.

 

[Blank_Canvas]

I can understand where you are coming from with this thought Daniel. I think a few enthusiasts combine photography with another passion hence they get railroaded down one path. Maybe it's about linking other genres of photography with their passion that may stimulate exploration. I mainly do wildlife as I like getting out and seeing wildlife as much as photographing it, landscapes for me is that other avenue that I'm trying to get something different. I find it's unlikely for me try street, portraits etc as they are far removed from my interests outside of photography.

Perhaps the way forward is to try opening a thread that gives everyone the same objective/theme each month. It may be a way to get people try different things.

That's thread exists in the form of a weekly 52. However, There was a monthly themed competition but that's just been binned.

 

[Tulipone]

It is an interesting thought, but I wonder how many people photograph what they do because of the opportunities that come up for them? I guess pro togs have even less incentive to image anything other than that they are paid to.

 

[blakester]

That's thread exists in the form of a weekly 52. However, There was a monthly themed competition but that's just been binned.

I found the 52 good for stimulating creative thinking Nick but not so much for taking one out of their comfort zone.
Having said that, working to a deadline tends to apply a little pressure to things which to contradict myself can take some out of their comfort zone

 

[kendo1]

For most people here it's a hobby.
They enjoy being in their comfort zone, sometimes combining a couple of pastimes - walking and landscapes etc.
Why take the enjoyment out of it?

Should amateur footballers start playing for professional teams? Or start playing rugby?

 

[Kodiak Qc]

I guess pro togs have even less incentive to image anything other than that they are paid to.

•


My clients are industries of all kinds, distributors,
legal offices, super markets, a local hair dresser,
medical centres… a long list.

I hardly have the chance to repeat a "formula! in
another job. I must renew myself all the time…

 

[blakester]

•


My clients are industries of all kinds, distributors,
legal offices, super markets, a local hair dresser,
medical centres… a long list.

I hardly have the chance to repeat a "formula! in
another job. I must renew myself all the time…

You must still have a style though Daniel?
Go to lighting set ups etc. Hats off to you if you are changing things around each time, innovating with each differing job/client?

 

[Kodiak Qc]

You must still have a style though

•

I have an approach and a quality standard but a style
I can afford only in my "personal" photography.

The success I had the past 12 years or so is based on
communication:
— How to communicate the corporate identity, the product
or service of a given client.

All I can put in there is the best understanding of the task
and the best gear to support my ambitions to realize a
project that will be acceptable, receivable, feasible.

 

[blakester]

@Kodiak Qc
Where are you as far as a comfort zone goes Daniel?

 

[Kodiak Qc]

•

I have to admit that I am an addict.

I can't resist a challenge. I don't mind not seeing /knowing what
the next assignment will be… as long as it's coming soon!
I don't mind the insecurity! In fact, I am afraid like hell of shooting
shoes for weeks, or jewelry or… my hyperactive brain would not
stand repetitive work.

Frankly, I fell better, and work better without the "comfort zone".

Does that make sense in English?

 

[kendo1]

•

I have to admit that I am an addict.

I can't resist a challenge. I don't mind not seeing /knowing what
the next assignment will be… as long as it's coming soon!
I don't mind the insecurity! In fact, I am afraid like hell of shooting
shoes for weeks, or jewelry or… my hyperactive brain would not
stand repetitive work.

Frankly, I fell better, and work better without the "comfort zone".

Does that make sense in English?

Yep.

I'm the same with my day job.
I'm constantly trying to improve what I do. No two jobs are the same anyway.
Constant challenges and surprises...

It's good to relax with my hobby

 

[blakester]

That makes perfect sense @Kodiak Qc

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Constant challenges and surprises... It's good to relax with my hobby

•
My main hobbies are… photography and guitar at this time.

After a job, if my son is not back from school, as I got some
gear in the car, I go to the marsh to shoot… whatever is there.

When the weather is not playing along, then I go home and
strum a few bars (sometimes with a friend) until Olivier is back
from school.

…then he is the centre of my attention. When he does his
homework after supper, I head to the PP room.

 

[Derek897]

•

I have to admit that I am an addict.

I can't resist a challenge. I don't mind not seeing /knowing what
the next assignment will be… as long as it's coming soon!
I don't mind the insecurity! In fact, I am afraid like hell of shooting
shoes for weeks, or jewelry or… my hyperactive brain would not
stand repetitive work.

Frankly, I fell better, and work better without the "comfort zone".

Does that make sense in English?

It makes perfect sense.
To go back to your original point, I am strictly an amateur, and I don't have any real aspirations to do this for a living. That said it doesn't mean that I don't try different aspects of photography, portraits with a very limited lighting set up, macro, sports, landscape lately, wildlife. I try to mix it up as much as I can with what lenses I have at the time, with limited budgets I can't always have super lenses for all types of shots all the time, so I might need to sell a long lens in order to get a decent wide angle for a while and then sell it on so I can get something else. I like to experiment and try out new stuff and learn what I can along the way and hopefully put it to use on The next thing I do.
I'm happy when out of my comfort zone as it's a good indication that I'm learning or trying something new.

Derek

 

[Kodiak Qc]

I'm happy when out of my comfort zone as it's a good indication that I'm learning or trying something new.

•

I like that very much… that's the spirit!

 

[kelack]

I can't move it as I'm.on the app but here's one we tried a couple (well 4!) years ago on here. It is a good idea (not just saying that because I tried it - haha), I certainly had fun stepping out of my sports bubble and it definitely made me appreciate photography once more. The incentive for me was to find other types of photography fun rather than just the one I'm paid for. I had a hobby again!

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/index.php?threads/377081/

 

[Ed Sutton]

Most people repeat what has worked in the past because they are frightened of failure and/or ridicule if they post something different. It's why hobbyist photo mags are filled with the same kind of pictures as they were 40 years ago. It's why everything these days has to be 'stunning', why landscapes are always shot early and late, why all portraits have to be shot at f1.4....

Go and make some mistakes.

 

[gramps]

Go and make some mistakes.

See, I've been at the cutting edge for years

 

[Jelster]

•

In fact, I am afraid like hell of shooting
shoes for weeks, or jewelry or… my hyperactive brain would not
stand repetitive work.

I would suggest that, on the contrary, this would drive your imagination to shoot, say jewelry, in a different way to what you would normally. It could quite well get your creative mind working to deliver something that is both different but outstanding for your clients.

Just a chain of thought.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

…this would drive your imagination…

Yes, your right but…

I don't mind working a whole week on the jewels or shoes… it is the
typical catalogue shoot that bores me: take the shoes, set the shoes,
shoot the shoes, next shoes… in the same light for say 800 pairs!

 

[sirch]

Most people repeat what has worked in the past because they are frightened of failure and/or ridicule if they post something different. It's why hobbyist photo mags are filled with the same kind of pictures as they were 40 years ago.

I really don't think it's because of fear of failure or ridicule, more because of a desire to be liked and have likeable photos. It's a bit like Disney cartoon characters, bigger eyes, narrower waists, broader shoulders; there is a formula that lights up areas in our brains more strongly. Blue skies, fluffy white clouds, deep shadows, saturated colours, indeed @Kodiac often comments that a photo does not stretch from 0-255 in dynamic range.


So people seek to recreate something which is most appealing to a large group, that way they are more likely to attract attention and get some recognition.


I think another aspect of this is something that is being seen in pretty much all hobbies and pastimes; that being "professionalization". It used to be enough to just have a go, join in, it wasn’t the winning but the taking part. But now we must all develop and improve, train, go on courses, buy ever better gear. People now spend on cycles what would have bought a house 40 years ago. There is nothing wrong with wanting to develop and improve but it seems to me that the current trend drives people down a very narrow route.


There is also the difficulty of being able compare and evaluate, of accessibility. If I post a photo of limited dynamic range, slightly out of focus, is it because that is what I intended or is it because I don’t know what I am doing and need to be helped to make it “better”.


2016-5-AbandonedRock by TheWub, on Flickr

 

[chris malcolm]

I've always been very leery of this idea of "find your style". How could there be a style which which accommodates architectural photographs, flower portraits, and excavations of the city's under-the-road infrastructure, to name only three of the things I like photographing? It seems to me that a photographer's "style" is a marketing concept which will help to sell photographs and win contracts and avoid confusing clients. Would you prefer to have your dog photographed by someone who only photographed dogs, or someone who also photographed building sites and beetles?

When I went to university I decided not to study English language and literature, my then favourite and top marked subjects, because I cared too much about them. There would therefore be a serious risk of my becoming an educational casualty when I insisted on disagreeing with the authorities.

I'm very pleased to have completely given up on the idea of earning some money from my photography. It's far too much fun.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

I've always been very leery of this idea of "find your style".

•
…not everyone's cup…

If I compare photography to say songwriting, I find, in this regard
many analogies.

Many "noise makers" and swinging bums are there for the fame
and money and they don't sound very personal… just trendy.

Creators like Dylan, Paul Simon, Katie Melua, and many others,
found a way to do the same thing (music), the same way (songs),
in their own style!

There is more to enjoy in a creator than a cheap pop star!

 

[Rich_Ellis]

I've always been very leery of this idea of "find your style". How could there be a style which which accommodates architectural photographs, flower portraits, and excavations of the city's under-the-road infrastructure, to name only three of the things I like photographing? It seems to me that a photographer's "style" is a marketing concept which will help to sell photographs and win contracts and avoid confusing clients. Would you prefer to have your dog photographed by someone who only photographed dogs, or someone who also photographed building sites and beetles?

When I went to university I decided not to study English language and literature, my then favourite and top marked subjects, because I cared too much about them. There would therefore be a serious risk of my becoming an educational casualty when I insisted on disagreeing with the authorities.

I'm very pleased to have completely given up on the idea of earning some money from my photography. It's far too much fun.

I do photography for a living and am yet to find a 'style'. The shots i take for clients are pretty much all different due to their requirements. A web site product shoot is usually different to a lifestyle advert shoot. For a while I wished I had a 'style' and could be recognised for it. However, over time, I too realised I'd just get bored VERY quickly if i just repeated time after time, the same tried and tested methodology i used for shoots 3 years ago.

Sure, some clients want standard product shots, but they're bread and butter work. I don't hate doing them, I just don't LOVE doing them.

I shoot tons personally (including holiday 'snaps') and tend to strive to achieve my ideas with personal projects. However, each shoot is always different to the last (I think!) and the processing meant to capture the feel i'm after which always pushes and challenges me. Are they any good? Would they appeal to a wider audience? I'm not sure, and honestly, I'm not sure if I care too much. I love to shoot them and it keeps me interested and never bored....well, not yet anyway.

Shooting for a living definitely hasn't dampened my enthusiasm and certainly not my creativity (within my own abilities of course!), if anything, they've been enhanced.

 

[juggler]

•

If this is not the right place,
please move to proper forum!
​

I see to many members sticking to what seems to be a winning
recipe. Doing so, will only confirm, time after time, that you are
doing well in that given area. Posting "x" number of photographs,
all a variation on a same theme, will unlikely stimulate you and the
other members to explore new avenues, techniques, approaches.

…or am I getting bored too fast?

Better to stick to a winning recipe and invite critique than not to post at all. There are an awful lot of people here who comment often but rarely post.

Now I think of it - I don't remember seeing any of your work, only your son's.

.. and fwiw I usually only post stuff here where I've done something new or different for me and want input.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

•



I can not post works for my clients… understandably!

Furthermore, I clearly states in an other thread that I don't intend
to post any my pictures nor suggestions in any post for the time.

If you want to see my work, just visit my website.

 

[GreenNinja67]

I agree entirely.

A few years ago I only took nightscapes (with or without water in them) as that's what I enjoyed and seemed to be good at.

I've shot a few weddings, both paid and for friends and relatives

Now I've got an IR camera I'm enjoying seeing what I can do with that. HDR I've had a dabble with too.

You have to challenge yourself to improve.

 

[MattyW]

Breaking out of the comfort zone is the fun part for me. I'd get bored quickly shooting the same thing over and over. I enjoy pushing myself to improve by trying new techniques, trying to shoot new locations and trying to refine my skills.
A lot of stuff I have posted over the years has not gone down well with others, but I think that it is these experimentations that help to round a better finished product now.
I'll keep experimenting, and keep enjoying what I do.

 

[juggler]

•
Furthermore, I clearly states in an other thread that I don't intend
to post any my pictures nor suggestions in any post for the time.

Alas, I don't read _all_ your threads Got a link? Or care to explain why? Posting stuff here for critique is rather different from having a website of available stuff - though many members don't even make work available that way.

 

[big soft moose]

to be fair to kodiak I won't post here for crit either , we have too many trolls and general arseholes who will attack any shot anyone with a contentious rep posts, and play the man not the ball.... not that i can't take a little heat but it just leads to bickering and thread lock which isnt good for the forum as a whole.

Matt and I co admin a facebook critique group so i tend to focus my posting for crit (and increasingly my crit giving too) there where the idiot quotient is a lot lower

On the topic of the OP - personally i don't get anywhere near the shooting time i'd like and thus i'm going to concentrate that I do get on what i either like taking (landscape/wildlife) orwhat people will pay me for (weddings/christenigs etc), there are whole ouvres of photography ive either never tried or i'm not very good at (studio, N&G, sports, street, fine art etc) but i don't feel inclined to waste my precious shooting time on what doesnt interest me

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Now I've got an IR camera I'm enjoying seeing what I can do with that. HDR I've had a dabble with too. You have to challenge yourself to improve.

•
In my Montréal studio, I had plenty to do with IR in the "art appraisal"
business.

IR in anything else is something I did not but surely will explore and
with the gear at my disposal and my natural curiosity…

This is a cool challenge as you say Matty,

 

[Kodiak Qc]

to be fair to kodiak

•

Pete, I'm grateful for you to have put this in English and that
someone understands my decision from my side of the fence!

I heard someone say somewhen:
"I'd prefer to die misunderstood than to speng my life explaining myself!

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Posting stuff here for critique is rather different from having a website of available stuff…

•


Maybe, but I don't have to read stuff from the people Pete was
referring to. I don't really need that.

The stuff on my website is personal projects or charity or shoots
where I was allowed to use there.