How do you "push yourself" as a photographer?

[rottie102]

What have you done recently that was new to you? What do you do to become better?
Do you try different techniques, gear, styles?

[v10yep]

Browse other peoples work really and just see if I can replicate it or understand how it was created

Other times I'll try something i'm not comfortable with like portraits or street photography and just see how it goes

[Ed_P]

I decide to join a local camera club. It's completely changed my approach to photography. Most clubs have a series of club Merit competitions (and inter-club competitions) throughout the year. An element of competition certainly makes you evaluate what you're doing. OK, the changes will be towards getter better at "competition photography", but it gets you away from your comfort zone.

Within the next year, I'm planning to attempt the Licentiate distinction of the Royal Photographic Society. For this, you need to show competence and variety in approach and technique (but not necessarily in subject matter). If I'm successful, I then plan to start working towards Associateship. There are other recognised photographic distinction routes too.

I'm not saying this would suit everyone, but meeting regularly with other photographers and injecting some element of competitiveness, certainly helped and motivated me.

[DibblyDobbler]

rottie102 said:

What have you done recently that was new to you?

Brushing up on my PP skills which were hopeless, now slightly less so as I can do layers + masks etc

rottie102 said:

What do you do to become better?

Check out other peoples work (many on here!) and learn - eg there's a guy who does really good pet pics with a wide angle close up Did one myself today

rottie102 said:

Do you try different techniques, gear, styles?

Lots and lots of gear, sometimes try other styles. I do like to try lots of different genres though - eg macro, landscapes, birds, star trails etc love them all

[steveatesh]

For me it's both PP getting into the intricacies of Lightroom and things like the Radial Filter and colour tones. The question I keep asking is "how do you know it's right" and it's slowly dawning on me that here is no such thing as right, just personal preference.

Also I recently was asked to take photographs of an engagement do, so with no idea I spent some of the evening taking a combination of posed and natural shots in poor light with the kit 18-55 lens and a 55-200 zoom. I made no promises about the outcome but actually i got some good shots.

Plus I have the Karl Taylor master class DVDs which I go over from time to time, all in the pursuit of a hobby!

[covmutley]

steveatesh said:

Plus I have the Karl Taylor master class DVDs which I go over from time to time, all in the pursuit of a hobby!

I like his videos on YouTube, would you recommend the dvd's?

[steveatesh]

covmutley said:

I like his videos on YouTube, would you recommend the dvd's?

Most definitely. Been really useful to me and I still use them. I wish he'd do some more!

[Gilhooligan]

I bought myself a 50mm prime and made a point in only going out with that. Was quite challenging at first as I normally only use a wide angle lens.

[Colin RedGriff]

I've been doing a scavenger hunt on flickr which has given me ideas for different subjects and made me think about interpretation.

I have also joined a few local groups on Facebook and we meet up which is a are good opportunity to do something different

[ian in lancs]

I mainly do people photography, model ports, head shots and the like. I pitch up at a local studio for a group shoot every week. Not knowing who the model will be, variable quality certainly forces me to make the best of sometimes a bad job. Group shoots are good because you see what others can achieve in the same circumstances. In addition, watching them work means lots of why didn't I think of that. It also allows experimentation with styling and posing and lighting that wouldn't be appropriate for a paid shoot. As far as on line training resources kelby one is superb. Monthly by month subs and circaa 1000 hrs of training

[GetCarter]

My 'togging' is mostly reportage, not art. I'm doing a photo a day documenting life up here (currently on year 5) so pushing myself is mostly trying to keep something interesting available each day, rather than something photographically adept.

Today is CRAP weather, almost impossible to hold the camera steady in the gales, but we have an air sea helicopter hovering over the far side of the loch trying to save some lives... so todays photo is a bit rubbish, but it is at least of interest...



The bonus is that by doing this, by forcing myself out each day, I get some fairly decent photos along the way.

Here's Jan's crop>> http://www.stevecarter.com/latest/latesttorridon15...

[RobbieKB]

If someone offers me some work as a photographer I take it. Sounds simple, but some of the jobs have scared the st out of me but I figure it'll just get easier. I accepted a commercial shoot for a band in a private member's club where I wasn't allowed to see the location beforehand and we only had 90 minutes to do a shoot with no brief. When I got there, my flash gun broke after 1 shot. I had some studio lighting in my car and they were very happy with the results but it's stuff like that that makes you a better photographer in my opinion. Going and doing shoots you know you can do and nailing it every time is great for your ego but you won't improve much.

The more difficult the brief/task/job set for me, the more I force myself to say yes. I'll either get good or have a breakdown.