| Damien Demolder |
| (Tharg the Mighty) |
| 29/06/2008 20:28 |
Poll - too serious?
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Simple one this week - has your photography become a bit too serious?
There is so much to learn in photography that it can become a bit of a study instead of being just about having fun and getting away from everyday life. I know I get over obsessed with the whole thing and forget that the reason I started taking pictures was because I enjoyed it. I stepped back a couple of weeks ago and looked at what I was doing and could see I wasn't having enough fun - so I've been playing with infrared and trying a snappier style of photography in certain situations - and it has worked wonders.
If you did a quick check now would you find you are getting too serious or that you still find the whole hobby a lot of fun. Maybe you find the serious study fun too.
Either way, head to the Home Page to let us all know.
Thanks
Damien
| FujiSigmaNolta |
| (I can pan!) |
| 29/06/2008 20:57 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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For me it's always fun, I can't wait for the next opportunity to have my camera in my hands, be it for business or anything else. So, in my case, it's a no.
| Rhys |
| (Sasquatch) |
| 29/06/2008 23:00 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I ticked the middle one - yes a little. I find I'm trying too hard now - not seriously so but enough to take a bit of fun out of it. I want to be better than I am and know that I can be, it feels a bit frustrating when stuff doesn't come out as I envisage it. Need to chill a bit more and not think about it too much. Start to have bit more fun..
| Clodhopper |
| (Manyana) |
| 29/06/2008 23:46 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I still find taking photos fun, but I'm finding the processing is a bit of a drag...
| sjaszczak |
| (A Real Gentleman) |
| 30/06/2008 07:30 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I can go a bit "serious" at times...but I wouldn't say it ever became "too serious".
I think the main thing for me is that since getting my first DSLR, it has opened up many more possibilities as with film I was always worrying about not wasting shots. Now, I feel I can try much more...and if it doesn't work, nevermind... something learnt for next time.
I can be quite critical of my own photographs, but that's only because I want to improve...but it doesn't take the fun out of it for me. The process of taking the photo is fun for me, and if anything, being overly critical makes it all the more satisfying for me when I produce something I am really proud of.
| fabs |
| (Carpal \'Tunnel) |
| 30/06/2008 07:53 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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There was a 4th option missing.
"No, I find photography MORE fun than when I started"
My only regret is not taking it up much, much sooner!
| El Sid |
| (Going potty) |
| 30/06/2008 09:07 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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Going out with the camera and finding pictures is always enjoyable but I do occasionally finding myself getting a bit too serious (or do I mean precious......
) about the end result....... 
From time to time it's worth taking a break I reckon.
| LargeFormat |
| (old hand) |
| 30/06/2008 09:10 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I find it more fun than ever after more than half a century. The advent of digital (I started by scanning film until I felt that digital cameras could provide a decent result) created a re-birth. I find the processing so enjoyable that I sometimes work up a file without saving it just for the pleasure.
| Done&rundleCams |
| (Senior Member) |
| 30/06/2008 09:23 |
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Re: Poll - too serious? - with the type of .....
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..... crap I shoot
you can't be serious Jack
| Hotblack |
| (Dead Horse Flogger) |
| 30/06/2008 10:04 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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Quote:
Going out with the camera and finding pictures is always enjoyable but I do occasionally finding myself getting a bit too serious (or do I mean precious......
I know that feeling.
I do get quite serious but I still really enjoy my photography at the same time.
| Benchista |
| (Wich Tyler) |
| 30/06/2008 10:28 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I take photography too seriously. I don't take my photography seriously enough.
| huwevans |
| (Old Hand) |
| 30/06/2008 10:51 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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More serious and more fun - there's not really an option for that. I've gone for the 'No, just as much fun...' one though.
| Terrywoodenpic |
| (A whiff of silicon...) |
| 30/06/2008 11:21 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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After over 60 years of photography it is still as much fun, perhaps not as exciting as developing the first film.
There are always new things coming along to create that frisson.
Learning new things is an essential part of the fun. However there are so many things and spin off's, that one could become interested in, that one must be selective to some extent, or you could easily develop "butterfly brain" and achieve nothing.
Terry
| alanS |
| (Dr Dust) |
| 30/06/2008 12:49 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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My shots can't be too serious as most people that see them laugh out loud.
| OneTen |
| ('Two Breakfasts') |
| 30/06/2008 13:01 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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My photography is loads of fun now and it's important that I keep it that way. Wildlife photography is incredible fun, there's that extra bit of uncertainty that I quite like. I spent days waiting to photograph a Grey Wagtail in our stream without seeing one, then when I finally got a shot the result wasn't that good. I'd still had a great time though.
| daft_biker |
| (Action Man!) |
| 30/06/2008 15:12 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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To an extent I think we have to take things seriously to try to progress certain skills - put the hours in, take the duff shots to learn from and go back even more determined. Call me weird if you like but I find that fun. There's no pressure to deliver.
There are plenty shots I don't think I take too seriously....like those smiley face ones....got a bit of a phone cable waiting to have it's photo taken because if you bend it a certain way it looks like a smiley face. The things you see when stuck in teleconfrences
| Ian_A |
| (Avocadopearaphobe) |
| 30/06/2008 21:01 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I did serious, then obsessed, but now it's 'laid back'.
Maybe it's because I can go from conception to finished result in a few tens of minutes using digital that I no longer have the same commitment?
| Garry McNamara |
| (Snr Tutor/Bongo Banjo) |
| 30/06/2008 22:37 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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Without it I'd have to do some work.
So I take it very seriously indeed.
| Mojo_66 |
| (Rain Kat) |
| 01/07/2008 16:38 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I went for a little, I've recently been submitting stuff to Alamy and all the time spent in front of the computer is making me irritable, it's not fun anymore! Went out with the Mamiya the other day though which was nice.
| Ian_A |
| (Avocadopearaphobe) |
| 02/07/2008 01:05 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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Quote:
Without it I'd have to do some work.
So I take it very seriously indeed.
When I'm at work, they keep interrupting me to go do photography for them.
Which is nice ...
Even picking up some video work now since they hived off the communications department. Not sure my feature film of sludge tankers and access roads will do well at Cannes though.
| mike_j |
| (nobbut a beginner) |
| 02/07/2008 19:59 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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Yes, I think it has. After a long lay off I got back into serious photography two years ago but I must admit enthusiasm is tailing off. I am getting seriously fed up with the inter marque wars and constant backbiting, both in this forum and in my camera club. Also, having spent far too much of my working life in the IT world, sitting in front of a PC manipulating photos is a chore, not a pleasure,
I suspect that my photographic needs would be amply met by a good compact with my beloved Leica M6 as a backup if I felt the need. All the rest of the digi stuff could go - no doubt at a huge financial loss, especially since it is the much derided Olympus system. I always seem to back the losers - I have an Apple Mac Power PC and Powerbook in the loft - cost a fortune in the day and never really delivered unlike the early Macs which we used to fight over in a world dominated by 286 Pc's - but at least the Oly stuff may buy a decent Leica lens.
| snowqueen |
| (Queen of the castle) |
| 02/07/2008 20:42 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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For me it is still fun, as im new to this and learning every time i take a picture......I do get frustrated alot at my lack of inspiration and ignorance! I hope it will always be fun!
| parisian |
| (Over the hill and far away...) |
| 03/07/2008 08:33 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I do worry at times that we become over concerned about both kit and technique to the detriment of the picture.
| Seven.. |
| (...or maybe Eight) |
| 04/07/2008 20:07 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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Goes in cycles for me, enthusiasiasm, enjoyment, satisfaction, serious, precious,not so serious,laid back, bordom, can't be bothered and I'm jacking it all in
Most of all that is borne out of frustration of not getting what I set out to get or being satisfied with a batch of pictures, then along comes another idea or a walk about inspires me and bam I'm off again.
For me the best part is the first and last, the taking and the printing. All the in between I could take or leave, photoshop isn't what I consider to be my hobby but has to play a part in my photography. So I'm not so serious when I take the picture because this is pure enjoyment, frustration sets in on the PC and then I get to the print then all is well if I don't then that's when it gets far to serious!!
So in answer Yes I'm far to serious but thinking about it if I wasn't would I ever make any improvement, I wonder if you get to certain stage where you can just sit back and be satisfied it's all part of the fun
| noangel |
| (journeyman) |
| 04/07/2008 23:04 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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Yes, I love it
Then it all goes to hell
My cameras bounce
My printer now goes through window without breaking glass
None left.Lightroom CD hurled across room decapitating cat, make note, third new kitty this week
Cry myself to sleep over lost lenscap.
Wake up next morning in loony bin
only to discover that it was a wish fulfilment dream, and start immediately persuading wife that I need £3000 worth of new equipment in order to take a decent picture. Wife starts to glow like atomic bomb, then lights go out.On return from casualty I decide its not such a bad start to the day
and I should go and try to take some photos.No,
it never gets seious.Regards,
John
| Monobod |
| ('Phantom' of the forum!) |
| 05/07/2008 15:35 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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Yes, I try to take it more seriously than I ever used to, but not to the detriment of enjoying it. One thing I have noticed is that I am now more observent generally of the world around me. I actually find myself looking at things, rather than just seeing them and moving on. I am fortunate to live in a village location, so the open countryside is just around the corner. I now notice the sunlight streaming through the trees and watch for the odd badger or deer in the woods, far more than I ever used to do.
I suppose I just enjoy life better becasue of photography.
| Linux_Lady |
| (Really, really, really nice and friendly) |
| 05/07/2008 17:48 |
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Re: Poll - too serious?
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I don't know enough about photography to be serious about it... so I tend to find things out through trial and error which is working very well indeed.
I don't take anything in my life seriously... it's a failing in my personality...
I like taking photos though.. it's groovy and I think I am getting better at it