Photography Life

PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels

  • Lens Reviews
  • Camera Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • Compare Cameras
  • Forum
    • Sign Up
    • Login
  • About
  • Search
Forums
General
Open Talk
What are your photo...
 
Notifications
Clear all

What are your photography weaknesses?

 
Page 1 / 3 Next
Open Talk
Last Post by Ineluki 2 years ago
36 Posts
13 Users
7 Reactions
4,178 Views
Bo Gussname
 Bo Gussname
(@bo-gussname)
Reputable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter April 20, 2023 6:18 am  

I think most of all I need to SLOW DOWN.

Far too often, I tend to just mindlessly mash the shutter button, without really considering composition or check for distracting elements. (As long as I don't horribly over/underexpose an image, I can usually rectify my lack of attention to exposure in post although software can't fix a poor aperture or shutter speed choice...)

What makes it worse is that I'm usually shooting inanimate objects. They're not going anywhere, so I have all the time in the world to actually think...but I don't

I've seriously considered making myself a checklist to go through before I push the button! 

I've gotten better about checking the edges of the frame, and I use my rule of thirds lines both to remind me to think about framing, as well as check horizontals/verticals, but I still get kind of stupid when I see something that catches my eye.

Sometimes, though, I just don't know what it is I'm seeing. I can think of several recent instances, where I've seen ...something..., but I can't figure why it got my attention. This makes it very difficult to know what to include/exclude/emphasize. I'm hoping I will get better at this with time.

I've also come to realize that I really need to work on postprocessing. 

I am, however, extremely skilled at seeing what I should have done, after I get home and get the images on the computer.


   
dnazarenko reacted
Quote
 delange
(@delange)
Estimable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
April 20, 2023 12:35 pm  

David Duchemin has a great ebook called "Making The Image. It is organized as a list of questions you "should" ask yourselves when in the field trying to compose an image. 

The questions make you analyze the scene and understand what caught your attention in the first lace. It makes you slow down. The ebook is smartphone friendly so it is easy to use in the field. There book makes you ask questions such as "why do I want to make this photograph", "what are the lines doing?",  "are there patterns?", etc

I have found this ebook to be very useful for my personal growth in landscape photography. Highly recommended. 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________________
Pascal Hibon
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/phibon/
Website: https://pascalhibon.net/


   
dnazarenko reacted
ReplyQuote
 delange
(@delange)
Estimable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
April 20, 2023 12:37 pm  

Interesting question by the way.

My current biggest weakness is failing to go out and shoot. But I'm getting ready to change that!

___________________________________________
Pascal Hibon
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/phibon/
Website: https://pascalhibon.net/


   
ReplyQuote
 dnazarenko
(@dnazarenko)
Eminent Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 17
dnazarenko - Skype
April 20, 2023 12:50 pm  

For those times when I have intentional plans for photographing a subject or location, I need to think more clearly about what I want to accomplish and how best to prepare myself to achieve my goal. That and everything else about being to incline to point and shoot. 


   
ReplyQuote
Bo Gussname
 Bo Gussname
(@bo-gussname)
Reputable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter April 21, 2023 6:19 am  

Posted by: @dnazarenko
↑

I need to think more clearly about what I want to accomplish and how best to prepare myself to achieve my goal.

The flip side to that is not being too "locked in" to the subject you intended to shoot and missing other opportunities. I have actually gotten a lot better at that.

Last spring there was a juvenile Red Tailed Hawk on a windowsill, right near where I work. He/she was only about ten feet off the ground and not at all skittish. I went over to take some shots. While photographing the hawk, I noticed a Gray Catbird in a nearby shrub hollering his guts out about the hawk. My Catbird shots were way better than the hawk ones.

 


   
ReplyQuote
Bo Gussname
 Bo Gussname
(@bo-gussname)
Reputable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter April 21, 2023 6:29 am  

Posted by: @delange
↑

David Duchemin has a great ebook called "Making The Image. It is organized as a list of questions you "should" ask yourselves when in the field trying to compose an image. 

I was thinking more like an electric shock collar hooked to the shutter button. That way, you'd have to really really want to take the shot... 🤣 

(No, actually I'll look into the ebook)

Posted by: @delange
↑

The questions make you analyze the scene and understand what caught your attention in the first lace.

The thing is, I can think of at least two recent instances where I actually took the time to look from multiple angles and really try to figure out what it was that caught my eye...and still came up empty. "There's just something about it..." doesn't really help much! I guess I should just take a whole bunch of different shots and figure it out when I get home.

 


   
ReplyQuote
 dnazarenko
(@dnazarenko)
Eminent Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 17
dnazarenko - Skype
April 21, 2023 7:43 am  

@bo-gussname very true. Probably it is a matter of awareness about what is going on and responding thoughtfully.


   
ReplyQuote
Bo Gussname
 Bo Gussname
(@bo-gussname)
Reputable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter April 21, 2023 7:59 am  

@dnazarenko 

The other day, I went to take this:

stairs

....and wound up taking this:

deer

From a "planned" shot, to a completely unscripted shot...which I liked much better. 🤣 


   
ericbowles reacted
ReplyQuote
 delange
(@delange)
Estimable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
April 21, 2023 12:17 pm  

Posted by: @bo-gussname
↑

The thing is, I can think of at least two recent instances where I actually took the time to look from multiple angles and really try to figure out what it was that caught my eye...and still came up empty. "There's just something about it..." doesn't really help much! I guess I should just take a whole bunch of different shots and figure it out when I get home.

Well that is ok too. Maybe there was no image to be had. The fact that you tried from multiple angles is good practice. 

I often leave my camera in my backpack and search for a composition using my smartphone. Only when I find a possible composition with my phone I'll reach for my camera and tripod. 

Also, using a tripod is another way to slow down.  

 

 

___________________________________________
Pascal Hibon
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/phibon/
Website: https://pascalhibon.net/


   
ReplyQuote
Anna Lucia
 Anna Lucia
(@anna-lucia)
Eminent Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 15
April 21, 2023 6:04 pm  

Getting out during the golden hours in the morning and evening. I’ve had many wonderful results but it takes real effort to make the time. 


   
ReplyQuote
 dnazarenko
(@dnazarenko)
Eminent Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 17
dnazarenko - Skype
April 22, 2023 12:36 pm  

@bo-gussname I am with you on that. Be prepared for the unexpected.


   
ReplyQuote
Bo Gussname
 Bo Gussname
(@bo-gussname)
Reputable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter April 25, 2023 5:39 am  

Posted by: @dnazarenko
↑

@bo-gussname I am with you on that. Be prepared for the unexpected.

When people ask what "genre" of photography I do, I answer "Yes".

 


   
ReplyQuote
Bo Gussname
 Bo Gussname
(@bo-gussname)
Reputable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter April 25, 2023 5:41 am  

Posted by: @anna-lucia
↑

Getting out during the golden hours in the morning and evening. I’ve had many wonderful results but it takes real effort to make the time. 

I am one of those annoying "morning people" so this is no struggle for me.

On the other hand getting my wife out the door that early....well..... 😆  

 


   
dnazarenko reacted
ReplyQuote
 ThomasHeye
(@thomasheye)
New Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 2
April 26, 2023 2:09 pm  

For me it comes down to ‘focussing” (no, not AF). Focus on a subject, focus on a composition. Take my time, don’t rush. 

Somehow, with ‘slow’ subjects (like landscapes) I’m always rushing, and with ‘fast’ and spontaneous subjects (wildlife, theatre, etc.) I’m always super calm. 


   
ReplyQuote
Bo Gussname
 Bo Gussname
(@bo-gussname)
Reputable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter April 27, 2023 5:59 am  

Posted by: @thomasheye
↑

Somehow, with ‘slow’ subjects (like landscapes) I’m always rushing,

Hey, Plate Tectonics is a thing.... 🤣 

Light, however can be extremely transient. I was setting up to take some shots of branches and berries (Winterberry?) encased in ice. As I was setting up the tripod, the sun came out and lit everything up like diamonds. 

"OH! This is gonna be so cool!"

I finish getting set up and the sun went away.

"No problem. I'll wait..."

I turned around a looked and the sky was completely overcast, for as far as I could see, in every direction.

<SIGH>

 


   
ReplyQuote
Page 1 / 3 Next
Forum Jump:
  Previous Topic
Next Topic  
Forum Information
Recent Posts
Unread Posts
  • 24 Forums
  • 635 Topics
  • 5,357 Posts
  • 3 Online
  • 1,231 Members
Our newest member: minhngocvt90
Latest Post: Z 7 Firmware Version 3.80
Forum Icons: Forum contains no unread posts Forum contains unread posts
Topic Icons: Not Replied Replied Active Hot Sticky Unapproved Solved Private Closed
Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options

Learn

  • Beginner Photography
  • Landscape Photography
  • Wildlife Photography
  • Portraiture
  • Post-Processing
  • Advanced Tutorials
Photography Life on Patreon

Reviews

  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews
  • Best Cameras and Lenses

Photography Tutorials

Photography Basics
Landscape Photography
Wildlife Photography
Macro Photography
Composition & Creativity
Black & White Photography
Night Sky Photography
Portrait Photography
Street Photography
Photography Videos

Unique Gift Ideas

Best Gifts for Photographers

Subscribe via Email

If you like our content, you can subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly email updates using the link below:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Beginner Photography
  • Lens Database
  • Lens Index
  • Photo Spots
  • Search
  • Forum

Reviews

  • Reviews Archive
  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews

More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Workshops
  • Support Us
  • Submit Content

Copyright © 2025 · Photography Life