How long have you been a photographer/ practicing photography.

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Adamcski

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As a relatively new photographer (about a year or so now) I often see images on here that are simply amazing.

I just wondered how long people have been playing the game so to speak.

I think for me, it can be hard as I see something and think that looks fab, I will do it and then my results often leave me underwhelmed (or really annoyed).

Perhaps new togs like me put too much pressure on ourselves to achieve the same sort of images / standards as others. I know photography is often a personal thing and I see it as a journey of learning so to speak (I'm only at the start).

Just wondered how long you folks have been involved with photography and what you found hardest to get to grips with initially?
 
I used to help my Dad make photographic prints (B&W) in the mid 60’s, got my first camera in about 67-68 and have been taking photos ever since. So a bit short of 60-years. Still learning, still trying to improve, still get it wrong.
 
I've been at this for about 8yrs. What I've learned is, don't try to copy others. Be inspired by all means, but trying to make copies (or as near as) just doesn't work, it stops creativity and just makes you feel frustrated.
 
About 50 years but still rubbish, however I enjoy producing mediocre stuff, maybe it’s my inner eggleston coming out
 
Been faffing about for a few years, but been trying to make a real go of it as a hobbist for the last year, my reason for joining up here.
 
I faffed around with a compact digital during uni….bought a DSLR then immediately got asked to shoot weddings in the space of a few months…and that was like back in 2005…i guess it really took off from then.

But I recall walking home one day and did the hand framing thing to see if certain thing look good in a photo, before i even had a camera.
 
Since about the age of 8 following in my father's footsteps many years ago. Technique, style and creativity come for many over many years.
 
Had cameras of some description all my life, but only about ten years ago did I start to take it seriously. Like you, I'm amazed and astounded by the quality on offer here, but I know from reading posts, and reading between the lines, how much time and effort goes into these photographs. With that in mind, along with my own natural (lack of) ability, I just ease back and enjoy the hobby and the occasional success.
 
Developed my first film aged ten.
 
I bought my first camera a brownie 127new should give some idea. First digital camera was a kodak 2mp to see what all the excitement was going digital.
 
I first took photos with my dad's box camera and that was over 60 years ago...........and by degrees I am still learning stuff :)

PS the rolls of film were dropped off at the nearby chemist shop and the negs & small deckle edged prints were collected IIRC about a week later.

PPS Over the years I don't think there was ever a time when I did not have a camera!
 
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I've pretty much always had a camera really (the 35mm film camera I have was bought for me by my stepdad in the mid 90's) but it's only the last 5-10 years that I've really taken things much more seriously with what and how I shoot.
 
Fifty years and counting, still rubbish at it, still astounded by the work of professional photographers; but then I've been riding big motorbikes for 45 years and would still get thrashed by a sixteen year old Moto3 rider on a Fizzy ( you have to be of a certain age to know what that was). There are professionals in all things...and then there's me :confused:
 
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I suppose how long have you had a camera and how long have you been photographing seriously, i.e. more than just family snapshots, are two different questions*.

I’ve been photographing seriously e.g. planning my photography, working on projects, making prints and zines etc, since about 2006 or so. Took me a good few years to become anything like visually competent and develop a style of my own.

*Those are just my own definitions / questions by the way, everyone’s approach to photography is different and it’s all good!
 
Just shy of 2 years for me. Progress is up and down but I’m still loving it.
 
Had my first camera at probably 6 or 7. First got serious around '86. Did some paid work for a couple of years but couldn't afford to take personal pictures and get them printed so stopped until mid 2000s. Bought first DSLR in 2013.
 
On and off all my life, but the main periods have been the last 5 years, and 10 to 15 years ago.
 
I got a Kodak Instamatic 36 for my birthday when I was little and that was it but I can't remember if I actually asked for it or if it was my parents bright idea. I still have it over 50 years later.

I had compact cameras after that but when I was working and on good money I decided to buy myself a present every month and once I'd got a watch, hifi and various other things I walked in to a camera shop (they had them in those days) and asked what was better than my compact and came out with a Nikon SLR and that was I suppose my first serious camera.
 
60+ years roughly
 
Probably 50 years ago a friends Mum brought home from a school jumble sale all the bits needed to develop B&W film.

One roll of film later through an old Ilford Sportsman and after loading the film into the tank under the bedclothes with the curtains drawn(!) we were both hooked :)
 
Got my first camera back in 1982 but it was a passing teenage phase.

I bought a compact in 2003, with no real interest. The bug did bite hard in 2007 though when I got my first DSLR.
 
Around 14 years and still learning and still aspiring to be as good as others.

The trick is to look at others for inspiration but judge your images only against your own. As long as your next image is better than your last, you’re on the right track.

Remember that even the best photographers will shoot dozens of crap images before getting a good one and you’ll only ever see their best work.
 
I started with a little Kodak Instamatic. Must have been late Sixties / Seventies. From there I somehow made the jump from that to a Pentax MX. More like a giant leap, thinking about it now. But, like a lot of things they come and go, and I've been taking photos, in some capacity, ever since. Still got the MX as well, as I've gone full circle, almost. Not sure I'd consider myself a photographer though. I take photos, but I feel that is different.
 
My first camera took 110 film cartridges and I’ve always had a camera about the place since then but only started to get seriously interested when I basically took ownership of my hubbys little canon G6, I got my first dslr in 2008 and since then have never not had my kit with me.
 
Since 1966.

I managed to get myself a Pentacon FM with a Meritar lens and have been taking pictures ever since. An image recorded with that combination...

Pentacon FM 67-9006.JPG
 
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I've been doing it since 2005 and I am the most mediocre photographer I have ever met.:ROFLMAO: I haven't developed any decent photograph skills and I make very simple mistakes. I see all of the photos of the amazing photographers on here and I think to myself.. one day I can create fantastic images like that. It may seem harsh to myself, but I am being realisitic and hoping to change by booking myself on a Skomer workshop and later in the year I am going on some other workshops. Hopefully achieve some decent photos by the end of the year.

Hardest concept I found was the maths behind photography, but I understand it now.
 
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On and off since 1980. I started to take it seriously 3 years ago. I'm happy with the technical side as I did astrophotography for several years. However, I really struggle with composition.

I really struggle to frame a scene properly. My brain seems to filter out all the clutter - which I see clearly as soon as I get the photos on the computer screen. Most of my family can take nicer photos with their mobile phones than I can with my expensive camera and collection of lenses.

However, I am getting there. Slowly, but surely.
 
58 years since I started taking many photos, and 62 years since I had my first camera (only have a few photos left from that).
Still a beginner, take photos for fun and memories.
 
I started taking a phone shots in 2009, mainly of landscapes and where I was driving to. I got more into it and got a compact camera a year later and my first DSLR in 2011. It wasn’t very good but I learnt a lot about composition in that time and shot pretty much anything, I loved it and was seeing photos almost everywhere. I upgraded to my first Nikon system in 2012 (D7000) and decided to concentrate on landscapes as that was what interested me in the first place. I started getting my first decent shots a year, it took a while to click and for me to understand light on the landscape but from autumn 2014 my hit rate went up massively.
I started shooting on a full frame system at that time (D810) which I think helped me take photography even more seriously. I use a Z7ii now and again feel like I’ve made another step forward from that, I don’t think the kit necessarily improves your photography but with the investment and realising how capable it is it pushes me to get the best out of it and try and be more creative.

I’ve had some dips with photography and thought about taking a year out from landscape this year, if you’re having a rough spell with weather conditions and luck it as I was for the first half of last year it can be draining and demoralising, especially if you’re only able to shoot at weekends or holidays. On reflection I couldn’t imagine not being a photographer, I put in maximum effort to get out of that spell and had a great autumn and winter has been my best so far, so I’m hopeful I’ll keep improving and enjoying the experiences it brings. It’s still a buzz being up a hill above a valley covered in mist, or capturing stormy light and rainbows over a great view.
 
Taking photographs for 50+ years but didn't get into "photography" (rather than just happy snapping with a 110 instamatic) until about 45 years ago. Honed my "skills" on film and still have a few of themk!
 
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