I feel a little disillusioned.

[Will.B]

Hi, so i've been enjoying photography for some time. My inspiration ebbs and flows as does my output accordingly. But i dunno. I just feel whats the point a lot of the time. I like to share and get my work appreciated. who doesn't. Whats the point otherwise right? Is this just the human compulsion to get attention, to be validated. I don't know. I feel that i barely get any likes or hits much of the time whereas i think my work, or some of my work is pretty good. It does from time to time get a bit of interest but i look at others and see them getting plenty of likes and comments etc. I just think what am i doing wrong. I don't get it. I'm not the most tech savvy or social media engaged individual granted. Is it just down to algorithms that i'm not understanding how to play or am i missing something else? I just feel a bit dejected and well to use a modern phrase, meh.
Anyway here is a recent shot i took of a fish. A reef fish that if you have tried shooting yourself you'll know they can be a bit of a challenge to capture in a satisfying manner. Hope you like it. I do.

The specimen is a Golden Anthias otherwise known as Pseudanthias aurulentu if you would like to know.

 

[Fuji Dave]

Hi Will, with how the weather is my thoughts are far from photography some times. Then I will think stuff this, I Love my photography and that gets me to snap back into it. We all love it when we get a like or a Wow great shot, but I am slowly learning that not everyone will like my photos, so keep doing what you are doing and ENJOY it. On the fish shot, I do like it and think it goes well in B&W, have tried many times to do this and muck it up. Good shot and keep them coming

 

[Will.B]

Cheers for the response Dave. Yes, I agree, you're right. Thoughts and emotions are much like the weather. I've always liked this analogy since i came across it. I do get enough out of the pure enjoyment out of photography most of the time. Just today feel frustrated at lack of responses on certain sites. When i look at other pics hosted and the amount of attention they receive i just feel i'm missing something. Then part of me feels well to hell with it. Can i be bothered. If the work doesn't stand on its own whats it really worth anyway. For the sake of superficial likes or comments. Is it worth effort and it calls into question my and others, perhaps the whole games motivations. Which granted gets a bit deep and philosophical. Not necessarily a bad thing. Anyway just expressing my feelings at the current moment. I'm a bit worn out so probably just being a bit grouchy and irritable to be fair. Glad you enjoyed the fish pic. Many other efforts have not worked quite so well. Fish can be pernickety subjects for sure. All the best.
Will

 

[PaulButler]

Whilst I'm sure most people like their work to be appreciated by others, if that is the motivation for doing it then I'd suggest finding something else to do. Sorry if that comes across as harsh, but you should be making images that you appreciate and tell the story your way and sod what others think.

 

[reheat module]

Whilst I'm sure most people like their work to be appreciated by others, if that is the motivation for doing it then I'd suggest finding something else to do. Sorry if that comes across as harsh, but you should be making images that you appreciate and tell the story your way and sod what others think.

Absolutely correct. If you have a view to seek praise for your work all the time, I would suggest not entering any Club competitions either ( some work which I thought was good was dissected by judges), but I liked them And I enjoyed taking them. That's what counts.

 

[Will.B]

Perhaps you're right. Though its not my only motivation but it would be nice to feel appreciated. Ha. Guess that just says more about me and people in general and our want for validation and attention. Human condition. I might just be having a down day but its an interesting phenomenon to observe and i guess come to terms with. Its all an opportunity to learn about ourselves and our motivations and the pros and cons of all involved within. Which i guess is an unexpected place the journey of photography has/ is taking me to. Anyways thanks for the response excuse the melancholy mood. I am sure it'll pass.

 

[Will.B]

Not necessarily praise. Feedback would be nice. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Just engagement i think is what i seek. But its always nice to be complimented of course.

 

[Will.B]

But yes i take the point, i need to do some soul searching and see if i can rectify my view, wants or desires in this regard if they are an unproductive or unhelpful attitude i've been developing.

 

[PaulButler]

Not necessarily praise. Feedback would be nice. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Just engagement i think is what i seek. But its always nice to be complimented of course.

I'm happy giving constructive crit where I feel I can, if you post an image which you want crit on, I have found that using the "Critique" tag in the title helps draw people's attention to it.

 

[Will.B]

Fair cop gov.

 

[SteveSc]

It might not be the sort of thing that you enjoy but have you considered joining in the 52 project that runs on this forum? You will find a friendly community who regularly comment on and critique each others shots each week. It started at the beginning of Jan but it's never to late to sign up.

You can find the section here: 365/52 section

 

[Will.B]

Thanks Steve, I will take a look.

 

[sirch]

Where are you posting your work for comment? How much commenting do you do on other people's work? I've posted stuff on here that has had somehere between 100 to 200 views and not a single comment, what I take away from that is that whilst I thought it good enough to share, people looked and were just not engaged by it. Some people cultivate a particular style and become good at it and attract a following because they post consistently good work in that style. It takes time and energy and I think regular high quality work (hard as that is) really helps if attention is what you seek.

But you asked "what is the point otherwise"? For me the big reason is personal enjoyment but there is also documentary (the only reason we have old photos is that someone took them a the time), experimentation, practicing technoiques and developing new skills.

Your fish photo is clear and sharp with a good mono conversion but I am left wondering why mono? I assume the fish is colourful rather than dull brown/grey?

 

[oldjoe90]

i had Reef fish in my Reef tank a few years ago and i can and do appreciate the effort needed to photograph such a fast mover ,well done. keep at it as i think we all have our down periods, cannot remember the number of times i have listed all my kit to sell but i still have it and use it. get yourself a project. i am doing 2 52 projects this year or the kit may well have been listed for the final time. it is always nice to have what you do appreciated but with such a subjective thing as photography or any art form the liking or not is all in the eye of the viewer and you have to accept that. i have been lucky to have had a few images hit "Explore" on Flickr and to be quite honest i cannot see why but that is the way of it. as the reply above from serch i would have liked to see it in colour also.

 

[Alastair]

@Will.B - Getting good, constructive and supportive feedback is something that some people will value more than others - you can see this in the range of responses to you post.

Finding people that can provide you with this isn't as easy as casting your work out to a forum of 57,000 members - the chances of it being found by the 6-12 whose opinion and support you can accept and value becomes rather hit or miss. One way that forums, Flickr and Facebook are all very similar is you generally get back out what you put in. If you bait the waters by putting out the sort of comments you'd like to receive against images that engage you, you will in time start to get back the sort of comments you value against your own images. It's not an overnight process. Small Flickr groups used to be very good for this but there seem to be fewer and fewer of them, Instagram pods may the way forward for small support groups. I'm not sure that massive online forums have the structure to allow small groups to form outside of narrow special interest cliques.

The take home message is that you get back what you put out. Whether it's on the forum, Flickr or Facebook it might mean leaving 10-20 comments against the images of someone whose outlook, opinions and views you're interested in before they notice you enough to return the favour by deliberately seeking out your images. Leave the sort of message you want to receive back - the more you engage with someone's images with your comments the quicker they'll notice and decide to look you up in return.


(I would suggest sharing your images on UR, but from what I can see the Photography section there has died massively since I was last active in reefing)

 

[redhed17]

Sorry for the long post, just started and, well, you know.

A lot of us go through periods when we don't feel like taking pics, and some even question whether they want to carry on, like the OP. I think you have to ask yourself why you are taking pictures. It may not be one reason of course, but if a major aspect is the praise of others, then you may find disappointment much of the time. You only really need a lot of others to really like your images if you want to sell them, if not then meh!

I can only speak for myself, but I want to produce images that I find attractive and engaging for general scenes, or in the case of sports pics, capture an interesting or decisive moment. I want images that I want to look at again and again. I used to seek out the opinions of others, and hopefully praise, but then if I received no feedback did that suddenly make the image I was very happy with somehow worse? Thankfully I came to the conclusion pretty quickly that other people’s opinions, or not, have little relevance as to the enjoyment I have from photography. When I have asked specifically for Critique, I have found that more useful, if anyone had taken the time to comment, as they have specifically considered the image rather than simply 'liking' for various reasons.

Added to that, when stated taking pics again in the digital age, when I would come back from taking pics and ended up with nothing I was really happy with, I would feel quite bad, and become quite down. Then I rationalised that did the final results make my enjoyment at the time of taking the images irrelevant? I didn’t think so, any time you have fun doing something is not time wasted imho. I then broke it down even more. When I take the pictures, I enjoy the process and the moment. When I review the images I generally enjoy the procedure. I also enjoy the editing process, sometimes coming back years later when I have improved, or the software has improved. If and when I show the images to anybody else I obviously find enjoyment if people appreciate any of the images. So, from capturing one image I have the potential for four separate moments of enjoyment, does nobody liking, disliking, or ignoring my images, should anyone else even see them, negate the hopefully three previous moments of enjoyment! If I was happy enough to show others any images I probably enjoyed some or all of the previous three steps.

Depending on where you show your images, and why you are showing your images may affect the responses, or not you illicit. If you want people to critique your images and actively seek out comments, then you put them in a place where that is the primary function, and in a specific area for that type of image, to catch the eye of people in that genre who may have more informed responses. And if there are no responses then you can ask why? A place like the like the Sharing and Critique section of this site for example, and specifically asking for Critique is a good place for that type of thing. Keep in mind that if you are not the type of person who comments, critiques or likes other people’s images, why would you assume that there are loads of others are waiting to comment or express an opinion of your images. Take into account the number of responses others are getting.

If you show your images on a gallery site like Flickr or 500px etc, then you are putting your images in front of a lot more people than on a Forum, but you are also fighting for attention with many many other images, and maybe not in your genre. A lot of these types of sites stray into social media, where some people’s aim is to illicit ‘like’ and/or make ‘friends' / 'followers’ and potentially join a clique. You do that commenting or liking others images and hoping for a reciprocal action. It sometimes works subconsciously of course, if someone likes an image of yours, or follows you, then you want to do the same for their images, and maybe also follow them. Now their images may not appeal, and/or you may not be interested in seeing any of their images, but you feel the 'need’ to reciprocate. Some go specifically to these sites with the aim of building a following to boost their ego's with lots of likes and/or in an attempt to boost their profile to possibly gain financially in some way. Whatever makes you happy, but be honest with yourself why you are showing images.

I have posted images similar to those of others online that I feel are ‘better’ but they have many more ‘likes’ and comments. I could be wrong, and their images are better, or they could have a larger network of people seeing their images, and so have a lot more ‘reciprocation’ going on. That is up for the individual to decide, but seemingly images not as good as your own images receiving (positive) responses, in your own opinion, should not be a reason to become disheartened if you are enjoying 'Photography'. If you are not enjoying any of it, find something else that will hopefully fulfil you better.

 

[Will.B]

Where are you posting your work for comment? How much commenting do you do on other people's work?... clear and sharp with a good mono conversion but I am left wondering why mono? I assume the fish is colourful rather than dull brown/grey?

Thanks for your response.

I have posted on here in the past and wasn’t getting a bad response to be fair. It was a little slow at times. I was making the effort to comment on others work as well, yes.

I hadn’t been on here for some time as I went through a spell in lacking inspiration at that time. However getting out and doing some travelling and diving re invigorated my inspiration so I have been taking pics again. I was mostly frustrated at flikr when I posted this last night. I was however really tired and a bit down after a long day which catalysed my frustration and prompted me to post this.

I do get a lot out of photography contrary to how I may have come across last night. Whether it be that it gets me out and about into nature and places I wouldn’t otherwise venture necessarily. It gives me that time to be alone and focus myself in a variety of ways and gives different perspectives on how we view the world I feel, for example, an enhanced aesthetic appreciation for life. As well as the reasons you mentioned above such as experimentation, learning and developing technique etc.

I do have particular style(s) that I lean to. They are not perhaps too consistent. In the respect that its not everyday I manage to get ‘one of those shots’. I guess I need to work to that strength and maybe refrain from posting too much of it and collect a body of work. Then I would have more consistent bank of work to show in said style.

Anyway your points are well received and certainly food for though, thank you.

The fish photo above I just liked the mono conversion. It had a feel about it that spoke to me. I think the mono brings out the textures and patterning really well. That I felt for the minimalism of it as an image.

 

[Will.B]

All good feedback and some very good points. Thankyou all for your input.

 

[Will.B]

It is colour you seek, yee shall have it.



And have one of the full uncropped image while we're at it. She is a beautiful fish.



And for interest this is what the male looks like, although forgive the picture quality on this one, just for reference.



They are really interesting fish. The males are haremic and territorial, keeping many females under watch. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they all start life as females. When a male dies the dominant female will take its place turning into a male, changing not only sex, but color and pattern.

 

[metroman]

Whilst I'm sure most people like their work to be appreciated by others, if that is the motivation for doing it then I'd suggest finding something else to do. Sorry if that comes across as harsh, but you should be making images that you appreciate and tell the story your way and sod what others think.

I also have been in a similar position as you and felt that appreciation was also lacking but, as Paul has said " .....you should be making images that you appreciate and tell the story your way and sod what others think" Redhed17 above used the term "rationalise" which, unbeknown to myself, is what I did.
I rarely post an image on this forum anymore as my photography hardly ever matches the same quality or creativeness that a lot of members on here produce and the critique I have received in the past actually stifled me going forward and made me second guess myself when setting up a shot or pressing the shutter. I read on here once, a member said that before appreciating an image they "Deconstructed" the image first, when I read that it was a turning point for me. It said to me that the viewer is looking for everything wrong with an image before anything they may like about it. It was then that the rationalisation (thank you Redhed17 for that word) of my hobby and love for photography changed the way I approach each shoot I do. I understand myself better and no longer aim to please others but now take images that please me and satisfy my inner self. I took a shot last weekend that I am so pleased with that is my Iphone cover and will be my desktop image for quite sometime so that I can appreciate it every time I receive a call or turn on the computer, it will get replaced at some point but in the meantime it is feeding MY APPRECIATION of it, I CREATED it and it pleases me no end.
My photography is driven by a desire to please me, I was recently published for some work I did and I have two other shoots pending publication but those images do not satisfy me enough to keep them in front of me for a lengthy period to appreciate over and over and the people who purchase the magazine will just gloss through and forget them in the turn of a page so, Will.B, satisfy yourself and don't look to others to massage your ego, they have ego's of their own to fulfil, you already said how difficult it is / was to photograph your fish so you obviously know how to take a photograph and use your equipment to produce your image so put it on your desktop and appreciate it, love it and in time replace it with your next best image and have the satisfaction that YOU created it.

 

[rjbell]

Great thread will.

I too haven't made the transition yet to shoot for myself and not for likes of others but I'm working on it.

 

[Will.B]

Cheers guys, wise words.

 

[Mark Johnson]

Much prefer the colour version of the fish.

Um re the problem of photos not being commented on, part of the problem is that when a photo is uploaded, it is not being shown on the home page. (IMHO)

Thus we have to search through all of the forums to see the photo. The TP structure is slightly askew there, My thoughts are that a published photo should be displayed on the home page as soon or shortly after its been uploaded. Thus everyone who lands on the home page will see the photo, and have a chance to look at it closer, and if inspired make a comment.

The present structure only displays the photo after three entries have been made on the new thread. Suppose one can "bump" a couple of times.................

Agreed that in busy times, the home page will shunt photos through in quick succession..........

Have banged on about this before, with no effect ha ha. Will, keep publishing your photos, run up plenty of posts, TP'ers will respond eventually

 

[Nick Owen]

Hi, Will, the glums get us all from time to time. As you say, human nature. The thing is, if you get a warm glow from taking a picture that YOU know was tough to achieve and that you like, then that is in itself, the best reward. If others then see the virtue of what you have done, then that is, of course, a bonus, but it should never be the aim. Follow that road and you invite depression and ruination of spirit. If you then want to compete with your peers in the perceived quality and excellence of photography, then you must compare what you are achieving against what you admire. Look, learn, repeat and improve. This way you then have a target of achievement and hopefully will surpass whatever the current standard is of your particular genre. It's not easy to do. But the process should be engaging enough to banish the glums!

Right, having not posted a thing for months here, I shall now go off a post something to share. Something I like. Something I enjoyed making. In the end, it's just nice to share.

 

[metroman]

For a wider busier and appreciative audience try these sites to post your images.

https://youpic.com/home

https://500px.com/

https://www.viewbug.com/frontpage/wall

You can tag your images so that people that search for a genre come across your stuff.

 

[Will.B]

Thanks Metroman. Haha, feels like i'm talking to a super hero. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say i am.
I'll check these out. I'm on 500px actually but should use it more than i do. I think i need to do some reading and spend some time learning to get the most out of these sites.

 

[Will.B]

Much prefer the colour version of the fish...

Have banged on about this before, with no effect ha ha. Will, keep publishing your photos, run up plenty of posts, TP'ers will respond eventually

Thanks Mark I will do. I'm travelling at the moment in SE Asia so am collecting some nice images. Will have a good stock from which to publish and contribute to this and other sites.

 

[Will.B]

Hi, Will, the glums get us all from time to time. As you say, human nature. The thing is, if you get a warm glow from taking a picture that YOU know was tough to achieve and that you like, then that is in itself, the best reward. If others then see the virtue of what you have done, then that is, of course, a bonus, but it should never be the aim. Follow that road and you invite depression and ruination of spirit. If you then want to compete with your peers in the perceived quality and excellence of photography, then you must compare what you are achieving against what you admire. Look, learn, repeat and improve. This way you then have a target of achievement and hopefully will surpass whatever the current standard is of your particular genre. It's not easy to do. But the process should be engaging enough to banish the glums!

Right, having not posted a thing for months here, I shall now go off a post something to share. Something I like. Something I enjoyed making. In the end, it's just nice to share.

Yes, again wise words, you are quite right. Even though from a philosophical viewpoint your point, "Follow that road and you invite depression and ruination of spirit." Whilst true in turn can and should in time come full cycle and lead to a reinvigoration and rebirth metaphorically speaking. What i mean by this is that that in itself carries the lessons one needs to learn. So as long as you don't give up it all serves to improve us and teach us. Much as life itself. Natural dynamics or something. I'm a believer in the concept of negative karma being an ally. A process that, should we engage with it correctly, is there to serve us in our growth and evolution.
Thats my 2p of daily woo for you.

 

[metroman]

Yes, again wise words, you are quite right. Even though from a philosophical viewpoint your point, "Follow that road and you invite depression and ruination of spirit." Whilst true in turn can and should in time come full cycle and lead to a reinvigoration and rebirth metaphorically speaking. What i mean by this is that that in itself carries the lessons one needs to learn. So as long as you don't give up it all serves to improve us and teach us. Much as life itself. Natural dynamics or something. I'm a believer in the concept of negative karma being an ally. A process that, should we engage with it correctly, is there to serve us in our growth and evolution.
Thats my 2p of daily woo for you.

Looks as if you have solved your issues yourself, it just needed a little nudge along

 

[Will.B]

Aye, cheers. Was just a bump in the road and a down day. One that has borne fruit a plenty in this ere thread. Thanks to all of you for said nudge.

 

[snerkler]

Interesting topic. I think first and foremost it comes down to subject matter. Obviously you like your fish, and whilst I love nature and wildlife I can't get too excited of a generic picture of a fish no matter how well it's been captured I'm afraid. I know this can be hard to hear or appreciate, especially when you have a keen interest and gone to a lot of trouble to get the shot.

I used to get baffled sometimes which pics of mine gained the most interest, then some I was really pleased with got little to no attention at all. But I learnt that folk aren't really concerned with the trials and tribulations you've gone through to get the shot (as they probably have no idea) and just look at the shot for what it is. Some of my favourite shots are ones Ive had to work hard to get, or try time and time again to get, which then make them all the more rewarding. However, they've got no feedback at all but tbh it does not concern me in the slightest. I still look at them fondly

 

[Mintchocs]

Looks like you're fishing for compliments! Just joking. I think the majority of us have been in that boat at some point or another. I have a Flickr account and would spend ages just thinking how to get my photo "explored" (I.e viewed and liked millions of times). It's been many years and it never happened. It's a bit like grieving and the stages one goes through. Shock, what no one likes your photos, anger, how dare they not like it after all the time and effort, depression, why does no one love my photos the way I do and then finally acceptance where you just go out and take photos for yourself and to hell with what other people think about them!

 

[Scirocco_09]

Photography is an art form, you want to engage people with your pictures. The ones you've posted here aren't doing that I'm afraid to say, at least for me. The fish may be nice examples but you need more interesting angles of them and the technical skills both with camera and editing need to be higher, buy one of the Outdoor Photographer of the Year award books to see some very inspiring underwater pictures. I'm worried I sound condescending, but I remember when I started photography I thought far too highly of my own pictures and wondered why I wasn't getting attention either, and it took a few years to realise I wasn't as good as I thought. There is no right to be popular, just do it because you enjoy it and if you try to improve every time you take a picture then one day people might start pressing those 'fave' buttons on Flickr, but honestly something virtual like that isn't going to change your life. Photography for me is about getting out and exploring places that I wouldn't otherwise have done, I've seen some great sights and met some really interesting people through it, some have become good friends. Facebook likes or Flickr faves can't compete with that

 

[Will.B]

Eye see.

View attachment 96727

Thanks for your feedback.
I agree with what you say and you have given me food for thought regarding the quality of my pics vs my perceived quality of my pics.
I see your point and it isn't coming across to me as condescending. More as an opportunity to see where my weaknesses are and to better my photography as well as, what much of this thread has highlighted. To review the value i hold for any attention received or otherwise.
Or at least the desire for such attention vs more 'purer' motives as both you, I and others have mentioned in this thread. Thanks again. I will endeavour look more discernibly at others work as well as mine and do my best to adapt accordingly.

*Edit; On reflection from your first point. Personally, the first edit i posted engaged me on an artistic level which is why i liked it. Hence why i opted for the mono edit and crop. But art being a subjective thing, it is what it is. There is no accounting for taste
Don't get me wrong, i am not trying to disagree with you regarding your own feeling on the image of course and no doubt many would agree with you. Which is all good. Just my feeling on it.

 

[THIRTYFIVEMILL]

The trick with getting help to improve is finding just one or two people who's work you respect to give you critique and advice. Putting work out on a forum for the purpose of getting constructive critique is more often than not a failed plan from the start as many who will respond are not qualified to do so.

With regards getting more response, people are people and they hunt in packs. If you need popularity you'll first need to spend time building relationships with members. When you have enough that like you you'll be able to post a picture of an out of focus cow pat and get loads of responses, many of whom will tell you your turd is brilliant.

My parting words would be these: if any hobby is a hobby because you need interaction then you'll never become great at it because your motivation is flawed and mentally our needs ebb and flow. Photography needs to be something you love yourself, your images give you great pleasure and you strive to be better because the more you excel the more you love photography. I think when someone is truly passionate about photography you immediately see it in his/her work. There's just something different there. Even if technically it may not be perfect and the composition might be a tad off, they will have spent time and effort both before taking the shot and again in post processing. You'll see something meticulous in their work and you'll also see them quickly improve. They'll ask for advice but know who to listen to and they'll apply it. But they'll do what they do because they're passionate about photography and nothing else.

 

[Pixelator]

I always liked photography, something in it which just excites me.

The attraction it draws (both gears & photos) provides a emotional intoxication. Intoxication is always for a short time. Once you cross this stage is when the real journey begins and that's when you understand about what attracted you in photography.

When I started people around me made me feel as though I was the best photographer in the world, again the emotional intoxication part but when I stepped out into different forums realised that my work was ok but not great.

Now, I just enjoy taking pictures. Trying out different lens and how they render pictures. Don't post pictures that often because I have realised what I like about photography and what gives me joy.

 

[metroman]

.....................When I started people around me made me feel as though I was the best photographer in the world, again the emotional intoxication part but when I stepped out into different forums realised that my work was ok but not great.

Now, I just enjoy taking pictures. Trying out different lens and how they render pictures. Don't post pictures that often because I have realised what I like about photography and what gives me joy.

Just about sums me up, Pictures not great and I post them rarely but they give ME A LOT OF PLEASURE

 

[Nick Owen]

The trick with getting help to improve is finding just one or two people who's work you respect to give you critique and advice. Putting work out on a forum for the purpose of getting constructive critique is more often than not a failed plan from the start as many who will respond are not qualified to do so.

With regards getting more response, people are people and they hunt in packs. If you need popularity you'll first need to spend time building relationships with members. When you have enough that like you you'll be able to post a picture of an out of focus cow pat and get loads of responses, many of whom will tell you your turd is brilliant.

My parting words would be these: if any hobby is a hobby because you need interaction then you'll never become great at it because your motivation is flawed and mentally our needs ebb and flow. Photography needs to be something you love yourself, your images give you great pleasure and you strive to be better because the more you excel the more you love photography. I think when someone is truly passionate about photography you immediately see it in his/her work. There's just something different there. Even if technically it may not be perfect and the composition might be a tad off, they will have spent time and effort both before taking the shot and again in post processing. You'll see something meticulous in their work and you'll also see them quickly improve. They'll ask for advice but know who to listen to and they'll apply it. But they'll do what they do because they're passionate about photography and nothing else.

First class advice from Dunc. If you love photography, you will show the passion that will eventualy show as quality within your work. In the meantime, discover people who's work you admire and that you aspire to attain their level, and interact.

 

[metroman]

..... discover people who's work you admire and that you aspire to attain their level, and interact.

That's exactly what I have done, Damien Lovegrove being my inspirational hero.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Bear in mind that when it comes to photographs of fish people on photography sites who have little interest in fish will view the pictures differently to people who are passionate about fish. It's up to you to decide which audience you are aiming at.