what sort of photographer are you?

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happyfish

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eddy
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Hi all

Im sure im not the only one thats wondered what kind of photography I'd like to pursue, after wondering around for a few weeks with my first DSLR or SLR of any type, taking random shots and then getting to grips with the processing part (not my favorite bit)

All my life I thought I was interested in photography because I loved to look at images, photo albums, album sleeves etc etc.
The taking of photos to the developers was always a buzz like buying a record that you'd saved for ( were talking vinyl) then getting it home and putting on the record player.

I have figured out that im not that keen on landscape or animals, buildings or objects. I know this because when it comes to processing them pics I dont spend any time on them, they dont seem to have soul
The pics that I am normally drawn to are ( I dont know what you'd call them)
candid portraits maybe? and then making them quite dark as I believe everyone has a dark side that we dont see, or maybe I do this as its fairly easy to shoot these pics and process them like that.
Now Im thinking that I like this kind of photography as it seems more natural/easy for me.

Do you think I should stick with what I think I like and get good at it? Or should I persevere with other photography and processing in case Im just taking the easy route?

Has anyone else had doubts about their photography or do I need to see a shrink.

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Thanks
 
You like dark photos and why not. Take what you like not what the herd dictates as being the "norm".

I have yet to find my niche' so I just photograph everything and anything.

I too used to be fascinated by the photography on the LP sleeves. My favorite was a double album cover by Earth Wind and Fire. the album was called "Faces" and it was full of very good candid shots.
 
I'm actually the total opposite - I don't like taking pictures of people, it doesn't interest me at all. Pretty much will shoot everything else though.
 
People don't interest me that much either.

I started out doing a lot of lanscape, and still enjoy it, but am shooting more and more nature/wildlife shots at the moment. I'd love a nice long prime and the money to go do a proper safari rather than just heading off to the zoo.
 
OutLore said:
I'm actually the total opposite - I don't like taking pictures of people, it doesn't interest me at all. Pretty much will shoot everything else though.
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same :thumbs:
 
I would think that most photographers have certain things they prefer to photograph than others. If taking dark candid portraits is what interest you most, then go for it. I'm not really into taking candid portraits, but every so often I make myself go and do it, because it's something different from what I normally do and if I end up with a picture I like, I'm really surprised :)

There are a few things I really like to photograph, and it's because of what I am interested in:

Architecture: I like the angles, different textures, perspectives etc;

Flora: It's part of my job to look at plants which is why I started to photograph them;

Cars / motorsport: I love pretty much anything with wheels and an engine.

I'll photograph most things though, as I like to experiment. This goes for processing too; I like to have fun with it. I like to make pictures look either like they haven't been tweaked at all, or to make it very obvious :D
 
Seems the people photographers are in a minority - I also have no interest in photographing people.
For me it is pets or the natural world - landscapes and wildlife and beasties keep me interested most!
 
what sort of photographer are you?

In a word? a pretty crap one if I'm honest..

Trying to get better, I don't have a problem "seeing" the shot, I just can't seem to get the reults I want.

For the most part, I really want to get into Macro work- or abstract work.

You know, shots that make you think.
 
Generally, crap and trying to improve... However, I do like, night sky, macro, animals and other things when the mood takes me.
 
I'm definitely a landscapes and buildings person at the moment. I'm going through a phase of churches at the moment.

Wouldn't mind trying birdies and flowers at some point (well getting something I'd actually want to show you lot!)

Did some shots for my sister-in-law a couple of weekends ago for my niece's Christening, and shooting people scares me! That's something I want to overcome.

Still, the cricket season starts soon, and I want to give that a go. Hubby plays for a local village club, so I'll get plenty of practice.
 
I enjoy taking photos of Landscapes, animals and flowers with water drops, I think its good to photograph what you enjoy and what photography interests you, when Im photographing animals I like to try to capture there character, the most important thing to me when Im photographing (landscapes, animals or flowers) is that Im having fun, when you're doing something you enjoy, I think you take better photos because you're not adding pressure to yourself, thats my two pennys worth lol :)
 
Happyfish - go with your instinct..whatever you can do, or believe you can do, begin it, for there is genius lurking inside trying to get out.

i can't remeber who said it, and I think it is a bit misquoted...it was told to me a long time ago, and basically it is saying BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

You go your own route, not the one people expect you to go.
 
Lensflare said:
Happyfish - go with your instinct..whatever you can do, or believe you can do, begin it, for there is genius lurking inside trying to get out.

i can't remeber who said it, and I think it is a bit misquoted...it was told to me a long time ago, and basically it is saying BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

You go your own route, not the one people expect you to go.
Click to expand...

Hi Thats good advice, people say that to me alot lol (to believe in myself more lol) :)
 
Do what inspires you, it will show in the images :)

I used to hate taking people pics too, avoided it like the plague until I went on a studio course and now I can't get enough. It's sometimes the things that we avoid that we need to overcome to break down a barrier.

What kind of images you like looking at is actually quite a good give away. :)
 
I haven't really been into photography for long enough to know what kind of photographer I am (aside from a very amateur one :D).

Although I was never interested in photographing people before (don't particularly like them ;)), since seeing some of the candid portraits on this forum (especially ones processed in the high contrast style of your two, happyfish), I have started to feel a little bit jealous of those who have what it takes to do this :'(.

The fact of the matter is, I don't totally agree with the ethics of street photography. :shake: Can I say that here? The idea of violating someones privacy by taking (often very revealing) visual records of them in their surroundings and posting them on forums like this for the whole world to see, just makes me uncomfortable. Personally, I would be upset if I discovered pictures of myself (even though I probably wouldn't be doing anything embarrasing/illegal etc. ;)) on the Internet. Because of this reasoning (and my natural shyness), I really can't bring myself to do it.

What I'm trying to say (as I'm certainly not out to crtiscise those who excel at 'street photography'), is that I'm currently "a frustrated photographer" :p.
 
In answer to your question, I'm not a very good one but I struggle though the pain and am glad that I shoot in digital and not Film because otherwise I would be bankrupt for nothing.

I enjoy shooting anything and everything and will not turn my nose up at any subject (Apart from weddings)

I've created a Photoblog to document my images throughout the year and to try and improve my photography. I hope it will show my progression towards the end of the year also and display a nice pattern from the rubbish I produce today, and hopefully some good stuff later on...

(Plug: http://www.gazedd.co.uk)
 
Follow your instincts and shoot whatever you're drawn to the most. Don't worry about darkening the images to create a certain look. It's good to experiment with different styles.

For me it's mostly people/social photography. Capturing fleeting expressions and laughter.
 
I've only 'into' photography since I bought a 30D from a wedding photographer friend who was trading up on a whim a few months back.

I've tried to shoot all sorts, my local bridge has been snapped to death! (Hammersmith it is a nice one). Experimented with varying degrees of processing etc. Went street shooting in central the other day and it's got me hooked. I just think there's so much you can get from those pictures, every one has a story. I'll be doing a lot more.
 
My uncle was a photographer for the Gloucestershire Regiment and was based all over the world including N. Ireland during the peak of trouble. Some of the photo's he took blew my mind as a kid. I still have one somewhere of a mortar shell being fired from the tube, its about 6 inches out and is an amazing shot.

That's what got me interested as a kid although it's only recently the fire has been reignited. I would love to do action photography in war zones but in 3 months I am too old (and unfit) for the army (plus the wife to be would kill me :).

I find myself doing a lot of candid shots, there is just something about catching people unaware that I find fascinating. Wildlife, scenery, Street and Macro once I get a bit better with the camera and get a tad more equipment :)
 
I started out wanting to do wildlife but soon discovered I haven't got the patience to wait 3 hours in a freezing hide for a little brown job to land on a twig for just long enough for me to get an out of focus shot of its tail feathers so I started doing landscapes. I still love landscapes but have found myself being drawn more and more into documentary, candid, portraits and black & white.
I think thats me though, I soon get bored with something and want to move on to something new.

Andy
 
To answer the question - i'm only a recent photographer - for years before i've been a bloke who takes snaps, some of which, looking back at them, were - by happy accident - photographs. Now I think more about things, and i'm getting more "keepers" (and a LOT more rejects as i'm getting far more critical about things) I find it easier/more interesting to take photo's based around my other hobbies - i've no real interest in candid/street photography but enjoy Landscape work.

It's possible that as my abilities and confidence in the mechanical side of photography then I may warm to people photography, but as I spend AGES faffing and getting stuff right, i'd hate to mess my subjects around right now. As for getting in peoples face in the street like the bloke on "The Genius of Photography" on BBC2 last saturday - i'd pretty much say "Never - Not for Me"

As for advice - well - life's too short to do things recreationally that make you miserable. Thats what works for!
 
I'm into portrait photography so your not the only one...trouble is I have my camera set to Monochrome most of the time with a boost of contrast as I love that gritty processed look..I'd even have my TV setup with no colour if my misses didn't mind!! :-P I really don't have a "vision" for landscape photography..it always seems to go past me so to speak and I never know what to take snaps at whereas with people I can always find something or a moment to pickout and capture which I get that buzz from.

Michael.
 
Frustrated :bang:, as some of the others have said, I just can't seem to get the image I want, I know my kit is far better than I am so I just need to practice and keep learning, I have only had a camera for 4 months, ask again next year I might have an idea what sort I am :thinking:
 
I have to say my favorite subjects for shooting are mainly macabre, experimental and industrial, but that doesn't mean I'm good at them yet.

I also shoot a fair ammount of landscapes and macro and love the feel of black and white.

I think it's all down to personal taste, you have to shoot what you want to shoot.

Jym
 
Just a hobbyist. Photography combines some of my favourite things in life....creativity, tinkering with computers, and shiny shiny gadgets! :)

I'm going to put together a website....and would like to be able to sell a few shots when I manage to get some good ones, purely to help pay for what is potentially a pretty pricey hobby, nothing more than that though :)
 
I'm still a 'Japanese tourist' type of photographer. I take photos of anything and everything I find interesting. I particularly like water though, prolly 'cos I'm a water sign as the astrologically minded would say.
I'm not very good at any type of photography yet though, but trying hard.
 
The only thing I really do know is that I don't know enough about any of the various disciplines of photography and how far they go to want to rule any of them out.
 
happyfish said:
...
The pics that I am normally drawn to are ( I dont know what you'd call them)
candid portraits maybe? and then making them quite dark as I believe everyone has a dark side that we dont see, or maybe I do this as its fairly easy to shoot these pics and process them like that.
Now Im thinking that I like this kind of photography as it seems more natural/easy for me.

Do you think I should stick with what I think I like and get good at it? Or should I persevere with other photography and processing in case Im just taking the easy route?

Has anyone else had doubts about their photography or do I need to see a shrink.
Click to expand...

I had and still have some doubts like you do and still am figuring out what is it exactly that I like in photography. Until recently I for example didn't even like people's photography. Now I do enjoy it to some degree but find it difficult to do (apart from a family and freinds) since I am not an easy going people's person.

But personally to me, photography is about always pursuing new things, having doubts about what you do, broadening your horizons, trying to do wacky things no one did before and so on ... To me this is the essence of the enjoyment that photography gives me.

So having doubts is good - it will drive you to try out new things...
 
I'm really just getting going with my photography, at the moment I just snap away at things that interest me whilst playing around with settings and occasionally I end up with pictures I'm really proud of. The husband and are emigrating shortly so everything is a bit hectic at the moment but I'm hoping to really get more serious and try more things when we've moved as I'll have a very exciting new city (Quebec City) to explore and can't think of a better way to do it than with my camera!!!

As for preferred subject matter, nature and animals are my first love whether it's wildlife or domestic pets. I'm sure my dogs get tired of me shoving a camera in their face constantly!!! I'm forever seeing things on here that make me think "Ooooooh, I want to have a go at that!!", usually portraiture and landscapes.

I think the only thing I'd probably never have a go at would be street photography, the thought of it makes me a little uncomfortable.
 
When I was younger in my teens and early 20s I'd take pics of everything, since then I've gravitated towards people and detail/macro (not bugs).

I've always been interested in anything that is mechanical so the detail side of things interests me. The people thing is a bit difficult to understand, I'm naturally quite quiet and shy although less so in the past few years but people just interest me, I'm still experimenting so I can't say exactly what type of people photography I'll gravitate to but I don't mind really, I'll get there eventually.
 
I'm still learning and experimenting. I'm loving it all to be fair, from people to landsdcapes, colour and B&W. I've now started to pay more attention to post processing and have recently invested in a 24" iMac and Photoshop CS4.

Some subjects are harder than others but that's where the challenge lies.
 
Pretty rubbish reallly!! I can get horses as I know and understand them, but with anything else that comes along I go through frequent phases of wanting to pull my hair out :lol:
I am worse at processing than getting pictures, but I have plans in hand to try and improve that a bit, shame getting the pictures in the first place is not cured as easily!
 
For me it's a hobby that gives me an excuse and a reason to be out and about :) rather than sitting in front of the square box...mind you I then spend time in front of the pc sorting and processing my fav pics of the day.
 
Landscapes and portrait (both studio and candid)... I love getting out into the elements and trying to capture the drama/beauty. Just getting out into the fresh air is a bonus, so if I come back with a few nice shots, all the better! :)
I love portrait and natural light or on location (strobe) stuff really floats my boat :D

The only path I've no interest in is birds. I could happily go on a hunt for big wild beasties but trying to snap a little finch just does nothing for me.
 
One who doesn't have enough time for photography.

Subject wise I prefer landscape and wildlife / pets but will try other things. I'm getting quite interested in more grungy town photography at the moment. Keep seeing shots I want to take then never getting round to it.

Hopefully the lighter nights will give me more chance to get out and about. Also two weeks off work at Easter should help.
 
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