Sunday 1 November 2009

Can you think about your photography too much?

At the moment I feel like I am thinking too much about, 'will my camera and lens do what it is supposed to do?', 'have I got the right combination of aperture, speed and ISO?', ' am I using the correct lens for this shot?', 'will it be in focus?', 'I hope there is no dust on the sensor'. I know - I worry too much, but problems associated with these issues have been happening to me a bit too much recently. I never had as much problems with focusing with the D50 as I have with the D300. Anyway, I hope I can get back to a point where I just go out and concentrate on the shot. Is the technology getting too complicated and technical issues causing more worries?
After I get on top of these issues and take some shots, I then compare what I do with my shots with others, mostly on Flickr, but yesterday I looked through the Editor's choice in the Digital Camera Photographer of the Year (http://poty2009.dcmag.co.uk/)and concluded that I just don't take enough time over the post processing bit. Thing is, I don't want to spend hours with PS and end up with the unreal look of some of the shots, especially some of the HDR crap I you see. That said, many of the finalist's shots of the POTY look over processed and cliched. (BTW - I did enter some pictures to this competition and one shot came to the attention of the Editor:




and I was asked to submit a HiRes version and supply some more info on me, so yeh, maybe I am envious of those who got through, but I can voice my opinions.)Of course, some shots were just plain outstanding.

So my point is? Well, I think there are so many photographers out there doing such great work, not only in digital, highly processed work, but also in little processed digital and film work, that I have to quickly get on top of technical issues (it's hard work James, 'Just Do It'!)and return to taking photographs which tell a story from the interests and passions I have. Be inspired and study others and never stop learning.

I am so determined to prove to myself that I can be creative and show that creativity through photography.

3 comments:

Graham McKenzie-Smith said...

There are indeed a lot of great photographers out there and it's easy to lose sight of your own style and focus. I have to keep reminding myself that I take photographs because I enjoy it, not to keep up with the Joneses.

It's good to keep pushing yourself technically though, and more attention to detail always pays off.

Anonymous said...

You only need to prove to yourself . . . haven't you done that already? Just look back over your self portraits! Not to mention everything else you have shot. You do in one photo what most take a book to accomplish. You only need to reach one person with your work, yourself. Now, your work has garnered my interest. Either serene and natural or whimsical and inquisitive your eye sees an entirely different scenario than does mine. Cheers - G

James Dyas Davidson said...

Thanks Graham - I agree with you 100%.

Many thanks anonymous. I appreciate your kind words.