Keen to learn but struggling to start

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SO I am wondering how you experienced people photographers got to the stage where you are now? Now I have photographed people in a studio type environment before and had some 'nice' results, but nothing that makes me or anyone else go 'wow' like I see with other peoples photos. I have decided I will concentrate on my people photography and was leaning to shooting more outdoors/on location until i recently saw a photographers website that made me realise studio stuff doesn't have to be boring. I seem to be in a difficult situation at the moment when I will communicate with models on sites and begin to arrange TFP, then I will panic that I won't be able to get the results that I, or indeed they, would expect and I don't go through with it. I have read and watched many videos about shooting outdoors with OCF and am dying to improve but I just seem to have this stage fright! Does anyone have any tips or advices for me?
 
Hey! Do you know what....I feel exactly the same!:).....Although i am even one step behind you! as ive never done 'studio portraits' before!!

I am currently looking at some equipment to buy though, as ive had some friends asking me to do photo shoots!!

Ideally i prefer the outdoors but thought i'd give all types of photography a go and see what i learn along the way, and where im best suited!;)

I think you just have to think positive and be determined and practise practise practise.....
I have so much passion to do this, and am giving myself a timescale of about 6 years to eventually (hopefully) be qualified and skilled enough to advertise myself as a pro!! lol

Remember all professional photographer's have their own style aswell, they all do things differently, so you have to go with your own creation, and what works for you!....

Mel :)
 
I am kinda in the same boat and have been looking for ways to improve my skills. For me, I have two major issues ... one I work on average 7 days a week 10hrs a day and find it hard to spare time for any hobby and two I am the kind of person who needs a well laid out structure to progress something. Most professionals I have talked to sum it up as study and practice. I realise there is a plethora of information available out there but for me it is difficult to absorb and focus on

TP has been a great source for me so far and browsing through the 'beginner' posts earlier I came across a discussion on a particular online course which I am seriously considering. Take a look, it might be of benefit to you. I am hoping it will give me some sense of direction and who knows a year from now I might be (I better be!) at a different level from where I am atm.
 
sids said:
I am kinda in the same boat and have been looking for ways to improve my skills. For me, I have two major issues ... one I work on average 7 days a week 10hrs a day and find it hard to spare time for any hobby and two I am the kind of person who needs a well laid out structure to progress something. Most professionals I have talked to sum it up as study and practice. I realise there is a plethora of information available out there but for me it is difficult to absorb and focus on

TP has been a great source for me so far and browsing through the 'beginner' posts earlier I came across a discussion on a particular online course which I am seriously considering. Take a look, it might be of benefit to you. I am hoping it will give me some sense of direction and who knows a year from now I might be (I better be!) at a different level from where I am atm.
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Yes very true!....The key is to try and study as much as you can but also to put it into practise and try out new things al the time.....the only way to learn is through trial and error!:)

I am starting a course in 3 weeks!....and will then go on to study city and guilds 2 in photography! very excited!....:)

Mel
 
Thanks for the replies. Hopefully have a couple of shoots lined up. Will see how they go and take it from there. Will post for feedback of course once I've done them.
 
Perhaps a decent way to gain confidence in shooting portraits would be by asking friends to do 'test shoots' with you? That's how I got going, altho I'm far from where I hope to be. It got me engaging with a model, thinking about different approaches, trying out different techniques & once I felt comfortable with the direction I was headed I began arranging shoots with models I didn't actually know. I'm pleased to say that the work I've produced with those models were much better & made it into my portfolio. Don't limit yourself ~ be creative!
 
Thanks. Believe me I have offered my friends and I don't seem to have any luck with that! :( the problem is, I want great results now! Ha. Prepared to work for it now though, just need to get going. I have no desire whatsoever to make money from it, but I'd like the quality if work to suggest I could if that makes sense. All the theory has been digested, I just need to work on the practical now.
 
practice, practice and more practice and when you think you have had enough practice ... practice some more ...

Why don't you offer free or near-free services? People are always looking for good photographers that can do sessions at reasonable prices. Put a webpage up with your details and what you are willing to offer (along with some of your work). Even better if you offer to visit clients. The more you market yourself the more exposure you will get. Also, see if you can find photographers in your area, you could then get together once in a while and model for each other etc? There are plenty of people on the forums here, most extremely helpful, give it a try you never know.
 
And don't forget the post processing side of things. Its a vital today as darkroom skill used to be in the film days.. If you shoot RAW ( YOU SHOULD ) then PP is a vital part of the process.

Go to places like Kelbytraining.com ... there are a million bits of free info on photoshopusertv and the other sites there...
 
sids said:
practice, practice and more practice and when you think you have had enough practice ... practice some more ...

Why don't you offer free or near-free services? People are always looking for good photographers that can do sessions at reasonable prices. Put a webpage up with your details and what you are willing to offer (along with some of your work). Even better if you offer to visit clients. The more you market yourself the more exposure you will get. Also, see if you can find photographers in your area, you could then get together once in a while and model for each other etc? There are plenty of people on the forums here, most extremely helpful, give it a try you never know.
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I wish it was this straight forward. I have learned as much as I can without actually getting any practical experience, I've got a website, I've got some portraits on my website, I spend ages on Facebook, model mayhem etc. I have asked everyone I know and a whole load of people I don't.

Can I get anybody to pose for me, for free or even paid!?

So far not a single person. Frustrating to say the least.
 
As he said above, I have asked and offered friends an family but no one seems keen at all. Very frustrating indeed.

Your right about the PP. it's something I'm trying to learn much more about. I know the basics and do indeed shoot RAW. Pretty much always have.

I have been in communication with a few models of the reccomended sites and have plans to shoot with them once the weather improves. Just hope I can get something decent. I also see the benefits of paying an experienced model and was chatting o a very, very good one but decided not to go through with it as I feel her skills far outweighed mine as a photographer and therefore it would have been a complete waste.
 
we11ingon said:
And don't forget the post processing side of things. Its a vital today as darkroom skill used to be in the film days.. If you shoot RAW ( YOU SHOULD ) then PP is a vital part of the process.
Click to expand...

Just like to emphasise this myself. My personal favorite photo this year was only realised after a good half hour on the computer re-cropping and balancing exposure. Limiting yourself to what comes out of the camera is like limiting yourself to only working with a single camera setting. You might grab a decent snap, but only with the full range of tools at your disposal will you get the best out of yourself and your equipment.
 
Jamtea said:
..only with the full range of tools at your disposal will you get the best out of yourself and your equipment.
Click to expand...

↑ Couldn't have written it any better myself. The digital darkroom is essential these days.
 
Totally agree but there is sooooooo much to learn!!! Still trying to sort some shoots at the moment but no willing victims/models. I have contacted a few but it's taking time to arrange and man, am I nervous about shooting with a model!
 
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