Whats Holding your Photography Back

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Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby biggerry on Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:18 pm

Always a good stimulating topic - there are plenty of photographers here varying from all sorts of levels, experience and time in the game so it would be interesting to glean some ideas about this.

What is or has held you back in your realm of photography?

Time is not a valid answer since it's bleeding obvious :rotfl2:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Mr Darcy on Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:49 pm

biggerry wrote:Time is not a valid answer since it's bleeding obvious

Being obvious does not alter its validity.
How about I restate it without the T word.
Other commitments that impinge on my ability to the resources required to growing in the craft.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Steffen on Fri Sep 02, 2011 12:48 am

I'd have to go for the other T word, I guess with me it's mostly lack of talent. But that's ok since I'm in it more for the process than the result :lol:

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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby surenj on Fri Sep 02, 2011 1:03 am

Mainly it's myself that stops me.
Not enough picture taking.
Not enough critique (especially self critique).
Not enough risk taking and wanting to change from the simple old stuff like rule of 3rds etc to more adventurous arty stuff.

Doing more critiques on photosig is helping me view images in a different light. :cheers:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby gstark on Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:25 am

May I challenge the question?

What does "holding you back" actually mean?
g.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ATJ on Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:06 am

gstark wrote:What does "holding you back" actually mean?

:agree:

Now, if you mean "What's stopping you from shooting better photographs?", I guess for me the honest answer would have to be "I don't know". If I really knew what was stopping me, I'd most likely be able to correct it and I'd take better photographs. Certainly, more practice, more critique, etc. MAY make my photographs better but it may not. Perhaps I'm at my limit. Perhaps it is something else I need to learn or do to make my photos better.

At the end of the day, photography is a hobby and I do it for enjoyment. It is working for me because I enjoy taking photos. That doesn't mean that I won't strive to take better photos, but without knowing exactly what is needed to make the photos better, I may never get there.

Oh... and what is a better photograph?
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby chrisk on Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:45 am

Mr Darcy wrote:
biggerry wrote:Time is not a valid answer since it's bleeding obvious

Being obvious does not alter its validity.
How about I restate it without the T word.
Other commitments that impinge on my ability to the resources required to growing in the craft.


x2
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby biggerry on Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:02 am

gstark wrote:What does "holding you back" actually mean?

ATJ wrote: gstark wrote:What does "holding you back" actually mean?


What is preventing you from improving your photography or expanding your photography.

for example, one maybe held back from achieving beautiful bokeh wren shots cause they only own a 18-200mm lens, simplistic example but nonetheless.

or, one may be held back from branching into a new style/genre of photography by lack subjects or resources physically nearby, or lack of contacts...

As everyone moves through their photography life there will be times where you need to branch out or overcome certain aspects or barriers to achieve a new or better result.

Take Andrew as an example, before you got into underwater photography what were the hurdles and barriers you needed to overcome to get 'better' underwater shots? is there anything else preventing you from getting better shots or different shots? maybe locations and access to them? maybe that spanky new dry suit will help make diving more enjoyable and quicker?!
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby biggerry on Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:03 am

ATJ wrote:Oh... and what is a better photograph?


start a new thread :roll:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby sirhc55 on Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:59 am

Simple answer - my zimmer ran out of petrol. A real catch 22. Without mobility photography becomes mute :rotfl2:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ATJ on Fri Sep 02, 2011 12:05 pm

I think in general terms it is three interrelated factors: Time, Money and Luck.

Time has a at least 2 aspects to it. First, on a pure statistical basis, more time (for photography) means more shots and so more keepers (even without improvement in technique and artistic vision). Secondly, more time means more experience and so (hopefully) improvement in both technique and artistic visions. It also means trying difference things and learning what works and what doesn't which may mean saving time (by not trying things that don't produce good results) giving more time for trying new things or doing what works.

Money has at least 2 aspects to it. First is new (better) equipment. That lens which has a longer reach or is sharper at 300mm than the current owned lens. A mini dome port which allows better lighting for CFWA (close focus wide angle). Money also allows for travel to exotic (or just different) locations providing more (or different) photo opportunities.

Luck plays a big part, especially in underwater photography. With good luck the water conditions may be more conducive to photography: less surge, clearer water. The luck of diving at the right site on the right day. The luck of taking the right set up for the dive. For example, setting up for macro and coming across a whale shark would be bad luck. Simply the luck of suitable subjects being around.

I can think of quite a few "luck" situations that have affected me. For example, there's a dive site off south Maroubra called Magic Point. There's a cave there that at certain times of the year is frequented by grey nurse sharks. The first time I dived there with the express purpose of taking photos of the sharks the conditions were perfect. Visibility was great and there were 6 or 7 sharks in and around the cave. There also weren't many divers on the boat so everything was looking good. Somewhere between home and the dive site the cable for my strobes stopped working. (I had tested at home as I always do and all was good, but on the dive the strobes would not fire with any consistency.) The two times I have been back, the gear has been fine but either there were no sharks and/or the visibility was poor.

A good luck situation was coming across two moray eels in one hole and them posing for me:
Image

Now, if I had more time I'd probably have less money, although I'd have more time to spend it. If I spent more time diving, I'd increase my good luck situations. If I traveled more often, I'd increase the good luck situations.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby PiroStitch on Fri Sep 02, 2011 4:51 pm

Nothing else but me. Too much self critique and too many excuses even though I've got access to all sorts of inspiration (material online, my surroundings, opportunities to see other cultures around the world). I can't blame my tools either, so just comes down to me :surrender:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Chaase on Fri Sep 02, 2011 5:36 pm

biggerry wrote:What is or has held you back in your realm of photography?

Decent gear, I got got stale due to the limitations of my 400D esp in low light plust owning average lens's.

Now I have upgraded I have the fire back in my sizeable belly and more importantly with my limited talent I am taking decent shots IMHO.

All I now need is more time to get out shooting more!
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Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Wink on Sat Sep 03, 2011 8:50 am

I've been playing with photography for 2 years now and I've decided I'm at the stage where I'd like to shoot people (with my camera).

What holds me back is being able to interact with people to make them feel comfortable and be able to pose them for the photos.

Having an innate understanding of my equipment and lighting, natural or otherwise.
My normal subjects afford me all the time in the world to adjust my camera and I can do it quickly. But shoot a different style where I need to adjust settings I never have before, in a way I never have before or as quickly as I never have before and it becomes clear that I struggle.

I have good quality gear and enough of it (that's a lie, there's never enough). It's limitation is me.

I was asked to shoot a tiny wedding yesterday at the last minute. I laid out my experience to them very clearly and they still wanted me to shoot the day as photos weren't a big priority, so I agreed.
It hasn't turned out so well IMO, but I'm glad I did it because it's highlighted the areas I need to improve on.

If you can recognise and address your short comings then you're in a good position to improve IMO.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby aim54x on Sat Sep 03, 2011 9:34 am

I'm with Andrew in stating the time/money paradox, I just left the est paying job I have had to date to pursue something degree related. In the mean time I wilk have no money but plenty of time as opposed to money but no time.

I also agree witb everyone who has stated SELF as a reason. I often find I dont have the confidence and/or experience. This is the only photographic forum I frequent and you have all helped me along with your critique and advice as well as drawing inspiration from the work you share.

Gear is less of an obstacle for me. I do have a severe case of GAS (Gear acquisition syndrome) but at the same time I am content with what i have.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby CraigVTR on Sat Sep 03, 2011 1:40 pm

Balls and time.
The balls (confidence) to get out and just get on with the attempt of getting the shot I would like. When I do give it a try and the result is not perfect, in my eyes, I get a bit discouraged.
Time is always short.

I have learnt a lot from this forum and feel that I have achieved better shots because of the advice and feedback. I also find that time behind the camera and then reviewing the shots teaches me. But, disappointingly, I seem to review too late to enable me to get a better shot as I cannot always go back.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Murray Foote on Sat Sep 03, 2011 6:00 pm

biggerry wrote:What is or has held you back in your realm of photography?
ATJ wrote:Oh... and what is a better photograph?

start a new thread :roll:

No, I think that's a cop-out. What is "your realm of photography"?
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Murray Foote on Sat Sep 03, 2011 6:03 pm

I think before you consider what may or may not be holding you back in photography you have to consider what you want from photography and how that might, will or should change in the future.

For many misguided people it may be having the best equipment possible so that equipment can take better pictures that others who have made diffeent choices. Or even that the equipment could do that if it were ever used.

For some there may be business aspirations, in which case business skills are likely to be more important than photographic skills.

For many it is just having fun and recording social occasions or family events in which case photographic skill may matter little.

Some recognise the potential for art in photography but accept limitations due to their personal circumstances, lack of commitment or more important priorities. In other words, everyone has such constraints but these are people who say "I only want so much out of photography" or "I'm only prepared to commit to so much effort".

To me, photography is a reflection of life and a creation of a new reality. It can be a path to improved perception and to that extent it's an engagement in life. It can be an obsession and to that extent it's a withdrawal from life. Before you can ask yourself "What's holding me back in Photography?" I think you have to ask "What's holding me back in Life?".

I think before you consider what may or may not be holding you back in life you have to consider what you want from life and how that might, will or should change in the future.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ATJ on Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:12 am

Murray Foote wrote:I think before you consider what may or may not be holding you back in photography you have to consider what you want from photography and how that might, will or should change in the future.

Oh... I thought the question was "What's Holding your Photography Back", not "What do you think other people might think is holding their photography back?"

I also thought Gerry's clarification of the question made it pretty clear. But, hey, maybe that's just me.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ozimax on Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:26 pm

Good question. I am seriously considering selling my gear, buying a reasonable point and shoot, 4/3s or whatever and shooting on a budget. I am at the stage of serious disinterest in photography at the moment, mainly because it is no longer a hobby. Almost every shoot is a "business" shoot, not a "hobby" shoot. I am not a pro photog, and have no wish to be.

Someone now phones for a job and my response is, "not another weekend job"!

Maybe it's just a phase that many go through?

Maybe a change of gear/view will help my photography?

Maybe these ramblings are way off topic?
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby surenj on Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:50 pm

ozimax wrote: "not another weekend job"!

I think this is an important distinction Ozi. I guess this question may apply differently to Pros vs Amateurs.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Murray Foote on Sun Sep 04, 2011 3:52 pm

ATJ wrote:
Murray Foote wrote:I think before you consider what may or may not be holding you back in photography you have to consider what you want from photography and how that might, will or should change in the future.

Oh... I thought the question was "What's Holding your Photography Back", not "What do you think other people might think is holding their photography back?"
I also thought Gerry's clarification of the question made it pretty clear. But, hey, maybe that's just me.

This perhaps is the imprecision of colloquial English. I wasn't referring to other people, I was talking generally. I haven't responded for myself yet.

Murray Foote wrote:I think before one considers what may or may not be holding one back in photography one has to consider what one wants from photography and how that might, will or should change in the future.

Does expressing it that way make it clearer?

In other words, considering what "holding you back" means is one thing, but what are you being held back from? ... sorry, what is one being held back from?
Last edited by Murray Foote on Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ozimax on Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:02 pm

surenj wrote:
ozimax wrote: "not another weekend job"!

I think this is an important distinction Ozi. I guess this question may apply differently to Pros vs Amateurs.


Exactly Suren. If I was making a full-time living from photography, I would be saying, "Great, another weekend job!". For an amateur though, taking paid jobs as I do occasionally seems to have taken the fun/hobby side of things away.

If only the X100 came with interchangeable lens, my decision would be far easier! That is of course a silly statement. "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."

Maybe a trip back to the film side would re-invigorate my photography interest? Maybe not.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Murray Foote on Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:11 pm

OK then, according to my own logic:
(1) What do I want from life?
Not a question I'm accustomed to asking much. Creative fulfilment, variety, good health and satisfaction in personal relationships, perhaps. That's probably pretty generic. I'm not much motivated by materialist objectives, though. I think the converse question is equally telling - What does life expect from me? After all, we live in and contribute to a society that is abusing its resource base including for water, soil and food stocks while we are also changing the climate in a way that could in time be catastrophic. I think my current response to that is at least to try to become acutely aware of the real situation so I can support appropriate political action.

(2) What's holding me back in life?
Laziness, lack of imagination to find new possibilities to explore, lack of drive to follow up existing and new courses of action as far as possible. There's always room for improvement, perfection is never attainable (and thoughts can turn into platitudes). There again, we live in a society in which we think of ourselves as individuals which in many ways is a delusion. It may be equally valid to ask "What's holding our society back?".

(3) What do I want from photography?
Creative fulfilment, I think, in my own terms. Success can be a delusion. Too little can be demoralising; too much can be a millstone. I would like to pursue and hopefully achieve excellence in photography in the areas that interest me. For me that's landscape, wildlife, street photography and experimental. I have little interest in studio photography, for instance. I'd also like to be effective in ecological photography with political overtones. The closest I've got to that so far is where my photography of Easter Island crystallised an analysis of the urgent need for sustainable development.

(4) What's holding me back in Photography?
Well, if I were a better and more insightful person living in a better and more insightful society, surely I would be a better and more insightful photographer. But then, personal and socioeconomic history doesn't hold us back, it just provides a starting point. Given who I am and my social context, I tend to think there's nothing much holding me back but I'm limited by the extent of my own imagination and drive.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Murray Foote on Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:02 pm

ozimax wrote:
surenj wrote:
ozimax wrote: "not another weekend job"!

I think this is an important distinction Ozi. I guess this question may apply differently to Pros vs Amateurs.
Exactly Suren. If I was making a full-time living from photography, I would be saying, "Great, another weekend job!". For an amateur though, taking paid jobs as I do occasionally seems to have taken the fun/hobby side of things away.

If only the X100 came with interchangeable lens, my decision would be far easier! That is of course a silly statement. "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."

Maybe a trip back to the film side would re-invigorate my photography interest? Maybe not.

This may partly come down to payment. If I were a commercial photographer I would have to be charging real money for what I do commensurate with earning a real income that would support me, my family, my aspirations and provide funding for retirement. I don't think I'm likely to be able to get anywhere near that, or like the implications if I did, so I don't even try. Consequently, while I may charge, people have to come to me on the basis that I might want to do something rather than that they can demand my services with an offer of inadequate payment.

That's my attitude, anyway. May not work for anyone else. Maybe if you're charging you need to put your prices up.

I saw a rumour on the web that Fuji are working on an interchangeable lens version of the X100. Remains to be seen. The NEX-7 may come close, too. Lenses are the problem. The Zeiss 24mm f1.8 should be excellent. I would think the Sony 50mm f1.8 should be relatively easy to manufacture and should be OK. The new 55-210mm may be OK if oversized for the body. Ultrawides are scarce, though. Unfortunately the 16mm pancake is not that good (though better than initial reviews from preproduction lenses). I suspect Voigtlander (Cosina) and Samyang will make small primes for NEX within a year or two. Currently there are 12mm and 15mm Voigtlanders with a converter.

Of course equipment is not usually the problem. Maybe just go for a trip somewhere and take a camera.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby biggerry on Mon Sep 05, 2011 12:51 am

[say this with teh appropriate Mr Miyagi accent]
ahhh young grasshopper

followed by:

Murray Foote wrote:I think before you consider what may or may not be holding you back in life you have to consider what you want from life and how that might, will or should change in the future.


million dollar question Murray - i know what quote I am putting in next weeks fortune cookies.

Some good thoughts from all in this thread, oddly enough it is very insightful and helpful to read these comments.


Murray Foote wrote: biggerry wrote:What is or has held you back in your realm of photography?
ATJ wrote:Oh... and what is a better photograph?

start a new thread

No, I think that's a cop-out. What is "your realm of photography"?


your world of photography, this can encompass stuff that you do not even do at this time, stuff that is on teh horizon, comcepts and ideas etc.

what makes a better photograph is a huge topic - its gonna be different for everyone, safe to say most people are looking to make 'better' photographs, whether that happens or at what speed is not really relevant in my mind.


ozimax wrote:taking paid jobs as I do occasionally seems to have taken the fun/hobby side of things away.


yep, thats why, imo, its very important to keep work and fun separate, except if it involves a few bottles of import scotch.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby aim54x on Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:45 pm

biggerry wrote:
ozimax wrote:taking paid jobs as I do occasionally seems to have taken the fun/hobby side of things away.


yep, thats why, imo, its very important to keep work and fun separate, except if it involves a few bottles of import scotch.


I would drink to that!
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ozimax on Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:55 pm

aim54x wrote:
biggerry wrote:
ozimax wrote:taking paid jobs as I do occasionally seems to have taken the fun/hobby side of things away.


yep, thats why, imo, its very important to keep work and fun separate, except if it involves a few bottles of import scotch.


I would drink to that!


In my (teetotal) case, a few packets of imported tea! :D
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby petermmc on Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:51 pm

I'm doing a bit of study at the moment and that is holding my photography back a bit. Its something to do with guilt. The subject area of my doctorate is 'time managment' so you would think I would have it all organised but sadly that is not the case.

Being colour blind also holds my photography back a bit but more from a post processing point of view. It does not stop me taking photos and I always have b&w to fall back on.

Another thing, while I am at it, that held my photography back for a few moments last Monday, was a Scarlet McCaw parrot that jumped on my back while I was visiting the bird sanctuary in Karunda near Cairns. These are big parrots. He proceeded to chew off the top button from my cap while I was crouched over and trying to put my 70-200 on to take a photo of him. I did end up with a photo of him chewing the button to pieces which, I might add, contained some aluminium and some plastic.

Other than that my photography is going really well, and though disappointed about the non event of the D800xyzmkII, life goes on. By the time that they bring out this new FX, they will have made so many good lenses for DX that changing over will be difficult.

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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ozimax on Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:21 pm

petermmc wrote:Another thing, while I am at it, that held my photography back for a few moments last Monday, was a Scarlet McCaw parrot that jumped on my back while I was visiting the bird sanctuary in Karunda near Cairns. These are big parrots. He proceeded to chew off the top button from my cap while I was crouched over and trying to put my 70-200 on to take a photo of him. I did end up with a photo of him chewing the button to pieces which, I might add, contained some aluminium and some plastic.


I hope the parrot gets a stomach ache! :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ATJ on Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:48 pm

petermmc wrote:...Scarlet McCaw ...

Is that Ritchie's sister? :P
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby biggerry on Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:58 pm

here we go...
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ozimax on Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:58 am

ATJ wrote:
petermmc wrote:...Scarlet McCaw ...

Is that Ritchie's sister? :P


No, Quick Draw's brother...

Image
Quick_Draw_McGraw by Ozimax, on Flickr
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby gstark on Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:00 am

ozimax wrote:
ATJ wrote:
petermmc wrote:...Scarlet McCaw ...

Is that Ritchie's sister? :P


No, Quick Draw's brother...

Image
Quick_Draw_McGraw by Ozimax, on Flickr


And just like that, Scarlett was Gone with The Wind!
g.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ozimax on Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:06 am

biggerry wrote:here we go...


Indeed Gerry, things are deteriorating rapidly, as they seem to do around here... :lol:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby sevencolours on Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:59 pm

This is a very interesting thread. It has opened a wide range of responses stimulating reflection.. I have enjoyed reading the varied responses.

I have taken up photography a few times but stopped due to not having money at times and others not having time as a family arrived. It is impossible to justify spending money on a hobby and disappearing for hours when there are young children who need your time. Sleep becomes very important as well.

Now later in life I am involved again. The main objectives
I cannot take photos while sitting in my office, I have to be out walking around
And I have to be looking; it forces me to look at the world differently

And sometimes I capture an image that I am really happy with - and that is just a bonus.

I was in my wife’s office yesterday and noticed that on her desk she has a photo I took of our three daughters at the eldest daughter’s graduation. And for me it is a great photo.

So I am not interested in post processing, that is done at a desk.
I am interested in the now of photography - the walking around with my eyes open and my mind alert. Therefore the only thing holding my photography back is myself.

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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby surenj on Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:01 am

ozimax wrote:If only the X100 came with interchangeable lens, my decision would be far easier! That is of course a silly statement.

Ozi, I agree. This question has nothing to do with gear. :wink: It's interesting how many people have mentioned various gear in this thread. That's missing the point of this question. I think it's good to define every word of the question, but at the end of the day, it's 'fairly' clear what it's asking. It's up to each of us to ask this question to one self and try and answer it in an individual way. The answer will be different for each person. [For some, it may well involve buying gear! :roll: Especially if you have a P&S and want full manual control etc... :mrgreen: ]

It's these different answers which make the thread interesting and informative.

At the end of the day, what's important is asking the question. What's holding you back? I think most people would want to 'improve' or take 'better' pictures. It's nice to clarity 'how'. If you can't answer for yourself, it would be difficult to improve consciously.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ATJ on Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:34 am

surenj wrote:It's interesting how many people have mentioned various gear in this thread. That's missing the point of this question.

Um... Gerry, the person who original asked the question, was the one that suggested gear.

surenj wrote: I think it's good to define every word of the question, but at the end of the day, it's 'fairly' clear what it's asking.

It is obviously not clear if your understanding of Gerry's clarification is so wildly different from mine.

biggerry wrote:What is preventing you from improving your photography or expanding your photography.

for example, one maybe held back from achieving beautiful bokeh wren shots cause they only own a 18-200mm lens, simplistic example but nonetheless.

or, one may be held back from branching into a new style/genre of photography by lack subjects or resources physically nearby, or lack of contacts...

As everyone moves through their photography life there will be times where you need to branch out or overcome certain aspects or barriers to achieve a new or better result.

Take Andrew as an example, before you got into underwater photography what were the hurdles and barriers you needed to overcome to get 'better' underwater shots? is there anything else preventing you from getting better shots or different shots? maybe locations and access to them? maybe that spanky new dry suit will help make diving more enjoyable and quicker?!
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Mr Darcy on Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:55 am

sevencolours wrote:I cannot take photos while sitting in my office, I have to be out walking around

Not necessarily. Unless your firm specifically bans the use of cameras at work, and sadly many do, office life can be a very rewarding subject for photography. In the early days of digital, I always had a PHD at work. Ostensibly to record meeting notes. A quick snap of the white board was a very efficient way to record. There were also photos of the daily grind, activities around the water-cooler etc. Later the company banned cameras. I stopped recording meetings and the general efficiency in my department went down as there were more disagreements about the contents of meetings.

There are also lunchtimes and the daily commute. Rodney (remorhaz) uses these times extensively for his photography. And he produces some stunning work.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby aim54x on Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:27 am

Mr Darcy wrote:
sevencolours wrote:I cannot take photos while sitting in my office, I have to be out walking around

Not necessarily. Unless your firm specifically bans the use of cameras at work, and sadly many do, office life can be a very rewarding subject for photography. In the early days of digital, I always had a PHD at work. Ostensibly to record meeting notes. A quick snap of the white board was a very efficient way to record. There were also photos of the daily grind, activities around the water-cooler etc. Later the company banned cameras. I stopped recording meetings and the general efficiency in my department went down as there were more disagreements about the contents of meetings.

There are also lunchtimes and the daily commute. Rodney (remorhaz) uses these times extensively for his photography. And he produces some stunning work.


I must start using the commute and lunch times again
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Raskill on Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:44 pm

Well, taking the question at it's face value (and I believe intent), rather than every possible permutation and possible meaning under the sun, there are a few things holding me back.

Firstly, my ambition. I want to shoot adventure type photography and motorsport. I've successfully shot both, and enjoy it immensely. However, the gigs are severely limited in number for someone living where I do. If I was willing to change my ambition and shoot portraits or landscapes, I live in, and on the door step of, one of Australia's most scenic areas. But thats not what I want to shoot, so, I mope and kick the dirt.

My gear definetly doesnt hold me back. I have every lens I can possibly need (save for the 500 F4, which *might* happen), and then some, I have multiple bodies, and then some, I have studio setups, flashes, backdrops and more. Heck, I'd even be so bold as to say I have the skills to use them also. Thats not to say I''m not looking at some nice D3s bodies......

My time is a limiter. I have a full time job, with lots of recalls, and, being separated from my wife means on my few days off, I have my boy. (He doesnt pose well, I tried taking his photo). I also have a new lady in my life, so the time I get that I dont have my boy or dont have to work means I spend it with her. (She is taking her first steps into photography though.... 8) ).

And so, to 'advance' my photography, I need to make the step into the unknown. Find a niche. A niche that can fit into my current life style... and I have one such niche in the wings.... Just need some more gear.... ;)

Oh, and thanks to the original poster, this has been a little bit of a cathartic post for me :)
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby surenj on Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:47 pm

ATJ wrote:Um... Gerry, the person who original asked the question, was the one that suggested gear.

I didn't see this post! It's all Gerry's fault. :rotfl2:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Big V on Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:03 pm

GRAVITY! - I want to photograph the world from the air more and I do not yet have a pilots license, so until that happens this interest of mine only occurs when I fly commercial and that is always a rather hit and miss. I am investigating remote options but would rather be up there to compose the scene.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby biggerry on Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:38 pm

Mr Darcy wrote: sevencolours wrote:I cannot take photos while sitting in my office, I have to be out walking around

Not necessarily.


Remember its about you as a person and your situation - given what seven does, i certainly hope he concentrates when in teh office :wink:


surenj wrote:
ATJ wrote:Um... Gerry, the person who original asked the question, was the one that suggested gear.

I didn't see this post! It's all Gerry's fault. :rotfl2:


ahh man i am getting stick from all angles here!

Big V wrote:GRAVITY! - I want to photograph the world from the air more and I do not yet have a pilots license, so until that happens this interest of mine only occurs when I fly commercial and that is always a rather hit and miss. I am investigating remote options but would rather be up there to compose the scene.


interesting Big V, i would suggest not pursuing your license if photography from aircraft is the final outcome, rather look for a way to become a pax on the required aircraft/route/site etc. When your piloting the aircraft you ain't gonna have time to dick around with taking pictures. Now if your talking about hard mounting your camera to teh airframe and the like than thats a different ball game.
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby Mj on Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:12 am

mmm... ok... so for me I might simply bring it down to money.
I had a dedicated studio a couple of years ago setup at home... then I downsized to an apartment which presents some challenges there. I could buy, lease or rent studio space all costing money. Much of my photography bent is focused on creative studio or location work... props (and more so the storage of) as well as location costs would probably be some of the key things holding me back. More often than not, locations are wanting sums of money for the privilege of using their space. Cameras and lens etc become a small cost... models, mua's, locations end up costing more than I'm prepared to pay for a purely artistic pursuit. So I just need to keep a check on what I'd like to do and do what I can afford. :cry:
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby surenj on Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:16 pm

Mj wrote:locations are wanting sums of money for the privilege of using their space.

I can empathise with you here. If I had the space, I'd have my little studio lights setup and ready to go at anytime. Now I just have one light in the lounge room... If you leave it there long enough, others don't notice it much.... :mrgreen: tell them it's short term only intially...
Perhaps you need to think about how to overcome these space issues without spending a whole heap of money... Even David Hobby doesn't have space for a home studio so he improvises in big ways!
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby tasadam on Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:29 am

Money, and the day job (being that I cannot use the T word).

I reckon I could make a small fortune with my photography business.
Problem is, I'd need to start with a LARGE fortune...
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby ATJ on Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:47 pm

tasadam wrote:I reckon I could make a small fortune with my photography business.
Problem is, I'd need to start with a LARGE fortune...

Maybe - but it would also take a lot of hard work: http://laurencekim.com/2011/04/28/the-p ... can-dream/
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Re: Whats Holding your Photography Back

Postby biggerry on Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:45 pm

tasadam wrote:I reckon I could make a small fortune with my photography business.
Problem is, I'd need to start with a LARGE fortune...


:D haha, very common phrase, i hear it every second day in the aviation world ;)
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