to sell up or keep at it?

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Mummy, where do babies come from?
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Anthony
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Ok so iv been shooting for about a year and a half not but feel my earlier images are alot better then my more recent stuff.

I think im at the point where i feel should i just pack it in or keep trying and hope i get the spark back?
 
A hobby should be a pleasure more than anyhting.. if your enjoying it.. keep at it :) Its not about the pics.. its about you :)
 
I would keep at it but try different stuff as by looks of your flickr you just shoot the one thing, im in the same boat and only shoot motorsport but have in the last few months started shooting different things, creative photograpohy such as shooting little people (google slinkachu), water droplets and ive found thats given me a creative kick start. Hope this helps you in some way

Dex
 
KIPAX said:
A hobby should be a pleasure more than anyhting.. if your enjoying it.. keep at it :) Its not about the pics.. its about you :)
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Yeah i understand that but i don't get how my pics have gone down hill. I enjoy taking pics if i get good results but when for the past few months every time you pull the camera out your not happy it gets quite dissheartening.
 
duttytd said:
Yeah i understand that but i don't get how my pics have gone down hill. I enjoy taking pics if i get good results but when for the past few months every time you pull the camera out your not happy it gets quite dissheartening.
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Perhaps maybe its you being to hard on yourself because to me they look like briliant photos. Hope that makes sence, as i dont now how to word what i mean
 
D-pearce92 said:
I would keep at it but try different stuff as by looks of your flickr you just shoot the one thing, im in the same boat and only shoot motorsport but have in the last few months started shooting different things, creative photograpohy such as shooting little people (google slinkachu), water droplets and ive found thats given me a creative kick start. Hope this helps you in some way

Dex
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Work shots i do events but for personal stuff i do a bit of all sorts from water drops to birds to macro.
 
every one has photographic plateaus etc - how about setting yourself a challenge like a 12, 52, or 365 or entering POTY , or trying a genre you havent done before

you just need something to give you some va va voom back
 
big soft moose said:
every one has photographic plateaus etc - how about setting yourself a challenge like a 12, 52, or 365 or entering POTY , or trying a genre you havent done before

you just need something to give you some va va voom back
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Id like to try some studio work but don't have a clue where to start.
 
duttytd said:
Id like to try some studio work but don't have a clue where to start.
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Find someone with a local studio. If you're feeling brave hire it out, hire a model and just have fun. It doesn't matter if the shots turn out crap as you're just shooting for yourself.

Failing that google local sports or whatever in your area, turn up and shoot away (with permission if needed of course).

Failing that again, next time you've got a day off go somewhere you've never been before with your camera and just have fun.
 
If its your hobby then figure out what you're not happy with and then try and figure out how to put it right. Why not post some images up here for feedback and work from there?

If you're looking for a new challenge why not consider one of the challenges as suggested such as a 52 or a 365 which pushes you to pick the camera up and think about what you're shooting.

If it is your hobby then let it be your hobby, relax and enjoy what you're doing. :)
 
ACW said:
Find someone with a local studio. If you're feeling brave hire it out, hire a model and just have fun. It doesn't matter if the shots turn out crap as you're just shooting for yourself.

Failing that google local sports or whatever in your area, turn up and shoot away (with permission if needed of course).

Failing that again, next time you've got a day off go somewhere you've never been before with your camera and just have fun.
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I don't have the confidence to just hire a studio and model, i wouldn't know how to talk or tell the model what to do.
 
wibbly said:
If its your hobby then figure out what you're not happy with and then try and figure out how to put it right. Why not post some images up here for feedback and work from there?

If you're looking for a new challenge why not consider one of the challenges as suggested such as a 52 or a 365 which pushes you to pick the camera up and think about what you're shooting.

If it is your hobby then let it be your hobby, relax and enjoy what you're doing. :)
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I am happy with the shots i do for work but its more the shots i take for myself i am never happy with.
 
duttytd said:
I don't have the confidence to just hire a studio and model, i wouldn't know how to talk or tell the model what to do.
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A lot of studio owners are used to amateurs and will help you set up -and if you hire as pro model rather than doing a TFP deal she'll know how to pose etc and can pretty much help you through it

if cost is a problem you could set up a meet in the meeting place section and get a few other midland based togs along to help share the cost
 
big soft moose said:
A lot of studio owners are used to amateurs and will help you set up -and if you hire as pro model rather than doing a TFP deal she'll know how to pose etc and can pretty much help you through it

if cost is a problem you could set up a meet in the meeting place section and get a few other midland based togs along to help share the cost
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That's a good idea. Il post up now and see if i can get any interest.
 
I've been through this sort of thought process on a couple of occasions and while people keep saying your photos are terriffic etc. it still leaves you without confidence in your ability. I've just been through your Flickr photos and there is a lot of similar photos (portrait and nightclub) and they are good (even if that doesn't help).

What I did was take a fortnight without shooting anything, then started again with a completely different sort of subject (mine went from airplanes to macro the first time) and a couple of shoots later I was buzzing again. I'm now shooting a lot of birds at the moment and definitely improving with it and I'm still buzzing. I take a lot of different subjects now and treat it as a fun hobby rather than trying to get every shot perfect.

I remember when you first got your camera, going into a shop for Canon gear and coming out with a complete new setup and man, you were definitely buzzing then. I'm not suggesting going into another camera shop and spending a fortune though, just don't give up without trying to find that certain something again. Good luck.
 
I went through your Flickr to. and your synopsis is right - your conclusion however??

You started out with t very defined style - something few people even get to, however this appears to have sucked you quickly into an artistic vacuum. We all land in them some times - set yourself a goal and research a different look entirely - then go out and shoot some more - rinse and repeat.

You'll then have a wider repertoire and a greater understanding that'll help you develop more of your own ideas.
 
duttytd said:
That's a good idea. Il post up now and see if i can get any interest.
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Have you spoken to Keigo at Studio197, he's trying to get something going in Birmingham ;)
 
big soft moose said:
every one has photographic plateaus etc - how about setting yourself a challenge like a 12, 52, or 365 or entering POTY , or trying a genre you havent done before

you just need something to give you some va va voom back
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Definitely agree with this

I find that shooting rugby and football all season makes me feel a bit bleurgh and not pushing myself. I try to find sports that are different in the off season to go along and get some oompf back. Last summer I had a go at Horseball which was different and interesting
 
duttytd said:
Ok so iv been shooting for about a year and a half not but feel my earlier images are alot better then my more recent stuff.

I think im at the point where i feel should i just pack it in or keep trying and hope i get the spark back?
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Enroll on a part time college course, nothing mental, perhaps a level 2 city and guilds, you will have to complete projects you wouldn't normally shoot, you will meet like minded people and some courses even culminate in an exhibition that you get your best work displayed. Enrollment ain't all that cheap but you will defiantly learn something.
 
I guess it comes down to one question: why do you shoot? If your only reason for shooting is to achieve some kind of arbitrarily-defined quality bar, then of course you're likely to end up discouraged. If, however, you shoot because you feel creatively inspired to shoot, then you'll continue to enjoy doing so. I think people place far too much importance on consistently producing "quality" images, instead of just enjoying getting out and using the camera. Improvement will come naturally, without the need for placing too much emphasis on it; if you feel that your images have degraded in quality, perhaps it's because you're focusing on the wrong thing.
 
My offer still stands, mate.
 
MWHCVT said:
Well you can always make the switch to Pentax :naughty:
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do try and keep up matt , he started off shooting canon and his pictures were okay , then that despicable influence andy turned him to the darkside and his pictures got worse.

Clearly he needs to turn back to the light side to return to his previous form :lol: :exit:
 
modchild said:
I've been through this sort of thought process on a couple of occasions and while people keep saying your photos are terriffic etc. it still leaves you without confidence in your ability. I've just been through your Flickr photos and there is a lot of similar photos (portrait and nightclub) and they are good (even if that doesn't help).

What I did was take a fortnight without shooting anything, then started again with a completely different sort of subject (mine went from airplanes to macro the first time) and a couple of shoots later I was buzzing again. I'm now shooting a lot of birds at the moment and definitely improving with it and I'm still buzzing. I take a lot of different subjects now and treat it as a fun hobby rather than trying to get every shot perfect.

I remember when you first got your camera, going into a shop for Canon gear and coming out with a complete new setup and man, you were definitely buzzing then. I'm not suggesting going into another camera shop and spending a fortune though, just don't give up without trying to find that certain something again. Good luck.
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You are right when i first got my camera i was so hungry for it and was shooting anything in sight. Tomorrow i have cleared all plans and decided to go out for the day for a nice bonding session with my camera and see if i can get that spark back.
 
big soft moose said:
do try and keep up matt , he started off shooting canon and his pictures were okay , then that despicable influence andy turned him to the darkside and his pictures got worse.

Clearly he needs to turn back to the light side to return to his previous form :lol: :exit:
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NEVER!!!
 
big soft moose said:
do try and keep up matt , he started off shooting canon and his pictures were okay , then that despicable influence andy turned him to the darkside and his pictures got worse.

Clearly he needs to turn back to the light side to return to his previous form :lol: :exit:
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Your clearly right on that front Pete :naughty:

duttytd said:
NEVER!!!
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Yeah right :D you keep thinking that :D
 
Haven't read this thread, only the first page, but you should sell your stuff if you no longer want to do photography.

If you feel that your work is of a lower standard than it was previously, but you still have a passion to shoot good pictures, then take a step back and evaluate the differences between your old and new work. Frame of mind, time of life, motivations, etc..

If you've hit a slump, then steal techniques, ideas, and concepts from other photographers. Making a great picture, even one completely unoriginal, is far better than making a lousy unique shot.

Your lack of satisfaction from shooting may be a result of your ability to recognise bad photography developing faster than your ability to take good photographs. Some people take the worst shots and love them, so if you're taking the worst shots and hating them, it would, in my opinion, indicate that you've taken another leap forward in your journey as a photographer. At some point, if you stay motivated, you will find a balance.
 
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Come to us at TipTop - we have a fab club, we do Model Nights and both Steve and I are more than happy to spend time with you in the studio until you find your feet.

Deb
 
duttytd said:
I don't have the confidence to just hire a studio and model, i wouldn't know how to talk or tell the model what to do.
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A model with experience will be able to take the lead.

Its fun. Found that hiring a studio and model with say three or four local amateur photographers and do 10 minute one on one sessions, then change lights / costume and try something else. Studio manager would be on hand to explain, suggest, teach.
 
I felt the same a while ago until i dug my old film camera out of the draw.

Selling up might be a bit hasty, if none of the suggestions above work out pack up your gear for a month or two and just have a break from it for a while, you'll most likely find you miss it and will get back into it.
 
Its a hobby..... enjoy!

My pictures are nothing special and never will be, but you know what, my camera gets me out the house and when home on this forum.

I would say there's two good reasons to keep it. :)
 
On a serious note just keep it up, it happens to us all. First of all we get a plateau from time to time but most of all the better your knowledge gets the more you judge your work, that will never change. Give me a shout if you need any help with anything.
 
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