Photography quandary

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I’m in a bit of a quandary with my photography. I still enjoy it but I’m unsure as to where to take it and what to do with it. I don’t doubt that I’m not alone in thinking this way, so any thoughts or experiences are greatly received. I don’t really know anyone else into photography so I have to vent my frustrations on here, sorry.

For me, with photography, I don’t just enjoy the picture taking, I enjoy the whole thing, from researching and buying new equipment, to reading books, magazines and blogs, to post processing and of course putting it all into practise by taking pictures. If I’m not taking pictures, I’m either reading or watching videos on some aspect of photography or another. I love to learn and challenge myself.

So what do I currently do with my photography?

The bulk of it is snapping whilst I’m out and about. I like to walk in the hills or on beaches when I can, so there’s a strong bond with landscape photography. But as nice as that is, I yearn for more. I’m currently being tempted into converting a van into a camper. I don’t do holidays very well as I can get a bit bored, especially as I’m on my own. With a camper van I can have a few long weekend type breaks throughout the year, take pictures of different beaches and landscapes and hopefully have a bit of fun.

So what floats my boat?

The photographs that really draw me in are the people ones. I follow a number of fashion photographers on things like facebook and I love the work that they do. I like the pretty models and the combinations of all the artistic elements that go into the pictures. I also love it when portraiture captures an expression or look that gives it depth and soul. I just see that sort of thing being massively out of my reach though, no kids or partner to annoy by constantly shooting them.

At present I’m hankering after studio lights, but I know I don’t have the space or the people to shoot. I read all this great stuff and I get so enthusiastic, but then reality kicks in and I get frustrated. I don’t have any ambition to go pro as I have a good career that pays the bills but I do want to be recognised as doing something half decent. I like it when I send people images and they really like them, I get satisfaction from it. I thought about doing a wedding or two, so that I can exposure to people who aren’t fighting not to have a picture taken, just a thought.

All this is just the tip of the iceberg, I find it difficult to fully articulate what I’m feeling and thinking, but this is a start. I can be very driven and focussed and have a great capacity to learn, I’m just struggling with finding out where to point all my energy.

Thanks

I am at some point going to rehash the website and its content. That should amuse for a bit, but after that I’m at a loss.
 
Well, to be a "people phototgrapher" you need to be a "people person," or at least have the ability to put on that persona. If that's not you, then that's not going to be a good fit. It can be learned to some extent, but that doesn't require any gear. It does require a lot of effort.

For me it's refining/improving what I already do... With landscape/outdoor/art type stuff that can be very hard to do as so much can be out of your control (wx). It can also be kind of "depressing." There are so many "potential images" I don't take because something's not quite right and it won't be any better than a similar image I've already taken (or even as good as)...

But, therein lies the challenge... to stay motivated and detemined despite it all... and that's what makes the greats better than the rest of us.
 
There's not a lot wrong with your people photography, so all you're really looking for is structure. Look for a local studio that does 'studio experience' type courses. Before trying to fly alone, you're better off getting a helping hand.

When you're comfortable with the environment, you can plan your own shoots, looking for models and styling shoots can be much more time consuming and fulfilling than having your own lights and just cajoling the nearest human being to sit for you. You can find students who want their fashions shooting, aspiring models that'll work TFCD etc.

This takes into account your obsessive personality and plays to your strengths rather than concentrating on your lack of accessible subjects.

Meanwhile, get out and shoot still life, and some more natural light portraits to widen your repertoire and learn about people and light.
 
Thanks chaps, some valid points there. It does help to hear from others even if it’s only to reaffirm what I already know. We all need a kick up the back side from time to time. Thankfully I’m not a quitter, the sheer amount of money spent alone is enough to keep me going; I can’t have it all going to waste.
I’m a good people person and at times a great communicator, my problem is lack of access to people, at least the ones who are prepared to let me take pictures of them in the ways I want to (not weird ways either). Street is a thought for sure; it would certainly get me out of my comfort zone.
I think you are right Phil, build up to a studio course of some sort, see if I really like it rather than imagining I like it. You are also right about my personality. By day I’m an engineer and I quite often have to scrutinise things to the N th degree. It also helps me take in information and sort of understand it.
 
I guess you do have access to people to photograph (those you interact with in daily life)? If you relate to them as people, there are ways of photographing them that are neither street nor studio. Be yourself & let them be themselves. If they trust you, they may be less likely to 'pose'. Look for the natural light (indoors or out), wherever you happen to be. And maybe think mono? Photographer and subject can both be purposeful but relaxed. Photograph on the fly (living dangerously!) or use a minimum of direction. See what comes.
 
You could try something a little radical - spend a week without even looking at your camera, reading a magazine or looking at anything photography related on-line.
You might find that by the end of a weeks isolation you feel really quite motivated - plus you can catch up on all those dvds!

I like the camper idea, that opens a few doors.

cheers, cw
 
Try photographing some music perhaps. It's often quite easy to gain access locally and there'll be music to suit all tastes going on somewhere around you, I'm sure. With a mix of musicians on stage, off-stage and their audience/crowd, and with interesting and sometimes quite challenging lighting, I bet you find photographic inspiration very quickly. Get in close, leave your flash at home and enjoy yourself. Shoot for someone or something (even the local ents section of the local paper). Having an assignment will help access and the determination to succeed. If you show respect to the performers and their fans and act discretely when shooting, you'll find them all a friendly and interesting bunch. Plus, musicians need pictures of themselves. So, often they won't mind you being there.
 
Thanks. I like to feel I’ve progressed beyond the happy snapping stage. I’m much more reserved about what I now shoot, I think about the picture, what it’s saying or showing and if it’s something I would enjoy looking at again. I feel like there is a lot more “art” coming out of me recently and thankfully I’m allowed to do bad art without upsetting too many people. The issue I think has been going from that happy snapper stage to the next level and maybe I’ve been dithering about a bit too much and not committing enough. I fully appreciate that at times you have to go out and make your own opportunities; it’s just hard to follow my own advice. As with my day job I’ve always appreciated having something I can complete and handover rather than just grinding stuff out day after day. Yet another example of identifying what floats my boat and how I like to work.

I like the idea of finding some local bands or something, maybe giving myself an assignment will allow me to develop but still keep me focussed and hopefully provode a willing subject or two.

This maybe a daft idea and I haven’t fully thought it through, but what about approaching a local college or something and offering to help out the hair and makeup students. They all do shows at the end of the year and maybe some free portrait work for a portfolio might be a good way to get willing subjects.

Thanks and keep the thoughts and views coming.
 
Alastair, thank you posting the link to the inspiration piece ... A wonderful read, inspiring, uplifting and so true. OP, you could do a lot worse,than follow this advice. Hitherto, I've been a serial bus hopper! But am gradually getting into my personal photographic groove, learning new PP skills and taking fewer, better images. Still not there yet with my personal key theme or style, but finding I'm taking less rubbish and getting a better hit rate out of the images I do keep.

A few more bus stops to go yet I fear, but starting to enjoy the trip more, get more out of it and feel as if I'm getting somewhere at last ....
 
Or skip the studio for now and keep improving what you already do, most photographers that amaze me at least are doing location shoots rather than studio shots. Imo studio is more for work and ordinary portraits. Not saying it's impossible
to be creative in a studio but it is kinda restrictive compared to location shots. :)
 
nondani said:
Not saying it's impossible
to be creative in a studio but it is kinda restrictive compared to location shots. :)
Click to expand...


What? How on earth did you arrive at that? You can use studio lighting outside of a studio you know? :)


At the OP... nondani is both right and wrong.

You don't need studio lights to create wonderful images, so don't feel it's something you have to do. It's also another learning curve. However, nondani is wrong because it is not restrictive in the slightest. It opens up an entire world of possibilities.
 
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@Pookeyhead I just told him to skip the studio he had no room for,
where did I tell him to skip the idea studioLIGHTS?

And yes a studio is very restrictive compared to on location because
bg and enviroment + choice of distance is very limited compared.

gosh...
 
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