I’m curious. I’ve been reading other blogs and see that some photographers subscribe to multiple magazines, read, look at other photographer’s works, go to art galleries or museums, etc. I just consistently go out and take photographs and attend a workshop or two.
A long time ago I took a New York Institute of Photography ‘class’ where I had to mail in my assignments, they were critiqued,etc. I thought that it was worthwhile, but after a point, doesn’t it come down to the individual to get out, get after it, and click the shutter?
I used to subscribe to Lenswork, which I found pretty interesting, but let my subscription lapse because I found that quite a bit of the work therein wasn’t the particular style that I liked, but it was good nonetheless.
Just wondering what the rest of you folks do …
No related posts.
10 Responses to “How do you improve yourself?”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
I spend a good bit of cash on Magazine subscriptions. There’s not really any decent workshops in my area and I don’t have the time to travel to them. Joining flickr groups that fit my interests, camera, etc is very helpful. Being able to ask questions to individuals is invaluable. In the end, analyzing your own work is the best way to grow I think; being very critical about every shot and trying to find the mistakes and/or ways to improve the next photograph.
I have never been to any workshops, but have had a close friend who is a professional photographer…teach me a bunch of stuff. I do however teach myself and read and study other photographers work. I am as you could say a self taught photographer. I try my best to improve and if it don’t work the first time…I try again. It is great having a delete button on the camera now.
Shooting in groups with other people has helped me consider different approaches, seeing how they work differently from me really gets me out of my rut. Sometimes…
I spend the odd hour or two browsing flickr, looking at amazing images for inspiration, but you’re spot on, that’s not going to help unless you’re out there shooting for yourself, and learning from the results. I haven’t had the urge to buy a magazine for 6 months – somehow it just started to get monotonous.
I’d love to go on one of those ladscape workshops, being in Ireland I’m sure I should be capturing some of the amazing scenery – but any spare cash at the moment has to go to new glass instead!
Real talent is there. Pele played with a rolled up sock that his dad gave and became the worlds best futball player. Ali Daei, the worlds top goal scorer played in the backstreets of Tehran with plastic balls.
Subscribing can help, but it wont make a person become good. What you’re doing is great Paul. The only way to improve is not through written text, advice, or this and that, its through experience taking photos. Sure some of those things help us get an edge, but its not what makes a person a good photographer.
I doubt you need anything else Paul, your shots are nice and clean.
I’ve always been a believer in whatever it is you do, to be as informed as possible. Utilize what is available to you with the time you have to your best ability. Anything else is just a waste. And I don’t mean that the person with the point and shoot camera photographing the kid’s birthday party is wasting their time. They just aren’t as interested in making a great photograph as you. Digital technology is constantly changing to better itself. If you want to understand it, you have to change with it. Magazines, podcasts, seminars, on-line tutorials/classes, school, books, web sites like these we visit, feedback from those around us, and of course good ole hands on experience.
Tena koe ehoa
For me Paul I peruse as much photography that’s alternative to my own undefined style as I possibly can. I regularly buy magazines, go to galleries locally and not. I submit work and exhibit when and wherever I can. Yet for all I do it doesn’t and shouldn’t define me as a photographer.
It doesn’t define me as a professional or an amateur.
It doesn’t mean I’m a struggling artist with a complex.
It doesn’t mean I’ve acomplished more or less than anyone else.
It does mean to me I love this artistic form and medium!
I think it’s different strokes for different folks.
There is a reasonance that art in any form has with a person. They either gravitate to it’s magnetism or don’t but, I’m sure they have alternative forms of inspiration and areas in which to test their own talents.
Cool shot!!
I subscribe to a lot of magazines. Saturday afternoons are read magazines day. I like them because they’re like a mini refresher course once a week to keep the little bits of important info in the foreground of my mind. Plus, I’m usually exhausted from getting up early to go shooting, and don’t want to do anything else. After a short while of reading, a little nap usually follows. I have decided to let a lot of my subscriptions run out this year, though, and just stick with the meatier of the mags. Lensworks is one of my favs, although I’ve actually yet to subscribe to that one. I just purchase an issue now and again.
I also try to read a little bit of a photography book a couple nights during the week. This will usually be regarding something I don’t know enough about…a type of photogrpahy I want to learn/improve upon, or a study of film/darkroom/history/bio.
And then once a week, I’ll check out a lot of film forums. I like to read what the older fellas (the one who have been shooting and developing film for decades) are discussing and sharing. I probably learn my most from there.
I subscribe to 2 photo magazine that focus on nature / landscape photography. A Geman one called “Naturfoto” and a Swedish one the is called “Camera Natura”. Both are great and I mainly don’t use them for a specific purpose. I simply enjoy the view…
However, they also provide me with a framework on where I stand and how much I still have to learn. Sometimes I also get inspired to pursue a particular project or try out a new technique.
It’s more or less the same with photo-forums or -blogs.
Sometimes, I also buy the occasional book. My favorite so far is Freeman Pattersons “Photography and the Art of Seeing”.
Certainly do do do but I am also a researcher. I tend to run up against a problem trying to do something I want to do or run into a word or method someone mentions and I dive into finding out more about it.
(Ive been meaning to respond to this for a week)
I be analytical to improve
Just kidding! 
I get out there and shoot. The photoblogging community has helped immensely but I think I’ve gotten more out of meeting fellow photographers than anything! Theres just an air about people and certain knowledge that can rub off in a day of shooting it seems like. Whats that saying? “You can learn more in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.â€