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Post by emberfaye on Apr 7, 2015 16:55:30 GMT -11
I can't be the only one.
Amateurs, professionals, people who just like them?
I've talked my husband's ear off this last month about it, and figured he could use a break. I just joined a new forum for photography, hopefully they aren't full of the same snobs that I've encountered in other forums. But I know you guys are awesome. =)
Let's talk!
How would you classify yourself? What do you like to shoot?
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Post by peonysunday on Apr 14, 2015 13:20:02 GMT -11
I am not a photographer although I occassionally take a few pics. I would take pics of homes that I like but I can never remember to carry the camera. I am more of a random pics generator type of girl.
The pics I take are generally loved ones.
Do you want to take pictures just for yourself or to share with others?
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Post by bronachdruid on Apr 14, 2015 16:43:29 GMT -11
Photography is my passion! I know exactly what you mean about the photography forum "snobs". lol I fully admit to being a Nikon snob....but only in a fun and humorous way. I consider myself a semi-professional photographer. Professional because I do make money with it. Semi because I don't make enough to support myself with that income.....yet, I am always hopeful.  I am basically a nature photographer. I also shoot a lot of abandoned places, that is personal hobby. Although I do sometimes do children's portraits and people events, when asked. I've also done some requested promotional type stuff, but nature is what inspires me. |
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Post by emberfaye on Apr 16, 2015 16:59:54 GMT -11
I am not a photographer although I occassionally take a few pics. I would take pics of homes that I like but I can never remember to carry the camera. I am more of a random pics generator type of girl. The pics I take are generally loved ones. Do you want to take pictures just for yourself or to share with others? I usually end up taking pictures of my friends and family (especially the kiddos because I'm with them so much) but I also like nature and urban stuff. I take pictures, and share them usually, but I do it because it makes me happy, and since I'm not super artsy, it's a great visual outlet for me (as opposed to writing, which is such a different medium. I'm actually really hesitant to share my photos online anymore because of past experiences. When you say take pictures of homes, do you mean like abandoned houses, or more just like what you'd find in a Better Homes and Garden magazine? Ever since my small camera stopped worked, I find myself without a camera so often that I make myself sad. Thank goodness for my phone! (Better than nothing, right?) I do like Nikon quite a bit. Just seems more natural to me. It seems like a lot of photographers forget the difference between a fact and an opinion when trying to comment on something. Fun fact: I actually got banned for spam on the first photo forum I had joined in over 4 years, because I posted 4 things over the course of 24 hours (My introduction, two replies to people who commented, and a simple comment on a photo). And they never contacted me back. Made me quite depressed actually. Abandoned places are awesome! My friend is super awesome at finding them. I'll only go if I have someone else, because I freak myself out. What time of promotional stuff? |
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Post by peonysunday on Apr 17, 2015 4:23:05 GMT -11
Emberfaye, I mean pictures of nice looking houses. Places that I might like to live. Places that inspire me. Sometimes they give me ideas how to dress up my own house. Spam! That's ridiculous. You are better off not going to a place that doesn't care about it's users. We are glad you are here. |
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Post by emberfaye on Apr 17, 2015 16:06:11 GMT -11
Oooh, yeah. Those are always awesome. I use pinterest to do that as well. I can't wait to buy a house, so many ideas. *star eyes*
Yeah I'm glad I'm here too....MW and now here has been one of the only places I feel welcome. Especially after 2013, which without hijacking the thread, really says something. (And also I went to their forum today and someone had started about 4 threads in the critiques/gallery asking for feedback/showcasing a photo) Urgh.
Anyways! =) What kind of camera do you have? And feel free to show off some of your stuff! =)
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Post by bronachdruid on Apr 17, 2015 16:45:18 GMT -11
I am not a photographer although I occassionally take a few pics. I would take pics of homes that I like but I can never remember to carry the camera. I am more of a random pics generator type of girl. The pics I take are generally loved ones. Do you want to take pictures just for yourself or to share with others? I usually end up taking pictures of my friends and family (especially the kiddos because I'm with them so much) but I also like nature and urban stuff. I take pictures, and share them usually, but I do it because it makes me happy, and since I'm not super artsy, it's a great visual outlet for me (as opposed to writing, which is such a different medium. I'm actually really hesitant to share my photos online anymore because of past experiences. When you say take pictures of homes, do you mean like abandoned houses, or more just like what you'd find in a Better Homes and Garden magazine? Ever since my small camera stopped worked, I find myself without a camera so often that I make myself sad. Thank goodness for my phone! (Better than nothing, right?) I do like Nikon quite a bit. Just seems more natural to me. It seems like a lot of photographers forget the difference between a fact and an opinion when trying to comment on something. Fun fact: I actually got banned for spam on the first photo forum I had joined in over 4 years, because I posted 4 things over the course of 24 hours (My introduction, two replies to people who commented, and a simple comment on a photo). And they never contacted me back. Made me quite depressed actually. Abandoned places are awesome! My friend is super awesome at finding them. I'll only go if I have someone else, because I freak myself out. What time of promotional stuff? What past experiences? Did you have stuff ripped off? Sharing is fun, but you do have to be careful where you share stuff. I love Nikon lenses! I don't think you can beat them, but they are so expensive! Yes, exactly! Some of the forum people will try to say there is only one right way to do something, that you need to have certain specific equiptment.....or that you need to do a b or c. Photography isn't really about the equipment, the shutter speed, etc it's all about your view of the world. What you see when you look through that lens and how you choose to capture it. Awww...don't let places like that get you down. LOL...well it's actually safer to never go alone. Some places are very unstable and dangerous. Exploring abandoned buildings or houses alone really isn't a good idea. Promotional stuff....I get asked sometimes to do things for local stores for special events. Like create a Father's Day fishing event poster. The promotional ones are normally a combination of photo elements and graphic art. |
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Post by emberfaye on Apr 19, 2015 4:49:01 GMT -11
As far as I can tell, I've never had anything ripped off. It's more so of the attitude of people online...like, after two years of photography classes I changed my profile from "inexperienced" to "experienced" and someone said I should change it back because I obviously do not have any experience. They also said that two pictures (one of which won an award) were awful because they weren't making eye contact. Overall, unless I'm posting on facebook or occasionally on DA, either my photos won't get anything (likes or shares etc) or they get people who as I said earlier, don't know how to differentiate between an opinion ("I think it lacks a connection with the viewer") and fact ("It looks out of focus") and how to critique ("That OOF...was that a mistake or did you mean to shoot it like that to show <blah blah blah>"). And since I already struggle with lack of confidence and depression, I just avoid those places like the plague now.
And that's cool! It's awesome that you're making some money off it, because in a lot of places it's super saturated with graphic designers and photographers.
Yes, Nikon is expensive but so totally worth it. I've found some pretty good deals. When my husband gets his bonus from his work he's promised me a 50mm and an 85mm since I'm still working with kit lenses. And a new camera bag because mine is not ideal. =)
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Post by bronachdruid on Apr 21, 2015 16:31:14 GMT -11
Wow! That is so sad and ridiculous Emberfaye. Don't you listen to those people. They are obviously NOT real photographers. Photography is an art form. And yes not everyone who owns a camera is a "photographer" but those people need to go and look at some truly great photography works before they open their mouths. Sometimes it's taken to look out of focus, sometimes you don't want your subject making eye contact. Sometimes you even want to make things appear over saturated or so macro that you get a bokah effect in the background. I would avoid those places too.
As you say, there is nothing wrong with offering good advise, we all need to learn and grow in any art form, but what you are talking about is just plain rudeness and ignorance. You follow your heart, take your photo's, play with them, make them into your art and ignore those people.
Oh yes....it is a tough market. You have to find your niche and try to stay original. I started off with just photography and advanced to learning photo manipulation and graphic art to keep things interesting. I am completely self taught (with help from my dad, he was a photo journalist when he was young). I run two zazzle online stores, was lucky enough to have some friends in good places to help me get in with some local businesses and of course there is word of mouth. It takes time, long hours and hard work. But I love it. Even if I didn't make money with it, I would still do it.
You said you mostly take pictures of people yes? Are you interested in becoming a portrait photographer?
I would recommend lowespro's bags. I have a lowespro sling bag and I love it. Also if you don't have them already a tripod and a remote can really come in handy.
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Post by emberfaye on Apr 22, 2015 2:50:12 GMT -11
Yeah, I try not to let them get me down, which is why I finally joined that other forum, and then immediately got banned. Urgh, so discouraging. Luckily, I have a really awesome support group in real life (and here =P). My sister in law is a photographer, and my best friend is an artist who dabbles in it, and I went to school and made some awesome friends.
Yeah, I really want to do all the photography, but I am going to just focus on portraiture first otherwise it'll be harder to get clients and stuff when I'm already working 40 hours a week and have so little time to build a portfolio for everything else.
Loweprowe's pretty good, I'm hoping I can find the Kata reporter bag, I absolutely love it from what I've seen online.
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Post by bronachdruid on Apr 28, 2015 15:39:26 GMT -11
Got banned?? Boo! That is crazy.
Glad to hear you have people who support your dream and apparently ones who can also really help you out in learning!
Well...here is a suggestion for building a portfolio and clients. Start volunteering your services for free to everyone and anyone you know. Offer to take engagement photos, new baby, maternity, family etc in exchange for using them in your portfolio and online. Every time you do a photo session, post a few of the photo's after you edit them on your FB or other social media pages.
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Graphite
Moderators 
The Big Bad
Trimming fat
Posts: 453 
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Post by Graphite on May 5, 2015 13:31:28 GMT -11
I love photography and I used to do a lot of it, but as of late I just have not had the camera for it. I only have the camera in my smartphone, but it makes for some nice pictures every once in a while. Cannot wait to have the money to get a proper digital camera.
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Post by peonysunday on May 7, 2015 12:41:04 GMT -11
This spring and summer I would like to take photos of flowers. Maybe this winter I will make a collage of them.
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Post by emberfaye on May 24, 2015 15:37:40 GMT -11
Smart phones are almost comparable to some of the smaller point and shoot cameras. May I ask what happened to your previous camera? You totally should! And post it here!  That's what I have been doing. Hasn't led to any paying jobs yet, but I'm okay with that. For now, I just don't have the space, time, or energy to really pursue it too much but at least I can do it occasionally. =) BTW, I would totally love to see any and all work you wanna share, graphic design or photography. That goes for any of you. =) |
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Post by peonysunday on May 29, 2015 3:48:25 GMT -11
You totally should! And post it here! BTW, I would totally love to see any and all work you wanna share, graphic design or photography. That goes for any of you. =) That totally sounds like a challenge. But am I up for it? I don't know. Must start carrying the camera when I leave the house. |
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Post by peonysunday on Jun 8, 2015 9:38:40 GMT -11
Ok, someone gave me a crossbody strap for my camera. Now all I have to do is leave the house. And take pics. Sounds easy; doesn't it?
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Post by emberfaye on Jul 21, 2015 16:09:11 GMT -11
Ok, someone gave me a crossbody strap for my camera. Now all I have to do is leave the house. And take pics. Sounds easy; doesn't it? Easier said than done though! Have you managed to find any time yet? I'm super surprised, because just recently I ended up booking an anniversary portrait session and a wedding (the wedding is not paid, it is for a friend but still!). So I've had to go through and redo all my contracts and really think about the fine print moments, and I'm inspired and hopeful. Still sucks I haven't heard back from the administrators from the forum I got banned from. Oh well. I have you guys! |
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Post by peonysunday on Jul 26, 2015 4:04:25 GMT -11
No, it got spper hot outside. 100 degrees all week. Ick! So I am staying in and scanning all my old polaroid pictures before they totally fall apart. Yay for doing business like stuff. |
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Post by bronachdruid on Jul 26, 2015 16:23:29 GMT -11
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back here. I will try to look for some stuff to post. In the meantime if you want to you can ck out my main online store if you want to. This one is a mix of photography, both straight and manipulated, as well as graphic designs. Hopefully the admins won't mind if I post the website. It's observationcreations.com |
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Post by bronachdruid on Jul 26, 2015 16:26:56 GMT -11
That is awesome news! Congrats! |
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Post by emberfaye on Aug 16, 2015 16:14:19 GMT -11
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back here. I will try to look for some stuff to post. In the meantime if you want to you can ck out my main online store if you want to. This one is a mix of photography, both straight and manipulated, as well as graphic designs. Hopefully the admins won't mind if I post the website. It's observationcreations.com I checked it out, you have some amazing stuff! If you don't mind me asking (feel free to not answer of course), do you make a good business selling online? Or is it more random hit and miss months? |
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Post by bronachdruid on Aug 16, 2015 17:26:15 GMT -11
I checked it out, you have some amazing stuff! If you don't mind me asking (feel free to not answer of course), do you make a good business selling online? Or is it more random hit and miss months? Thanks! It's been very interesting for me, and I am continuing to learn and grow along the way. It's not a make big money quick and easy thing....I started my first store almost 5 years ago, in the beginning it was very much hit or miss, then it started to improve and for the past two and 1/2 years I have had regular monthly sales and they keep increasing. Right now I am doing pretty well. It takes awhile to get noticed online and you have to work at it. However, also keep in mind, I have dial up internet, and I have limited time to work on it. So it's been slow going for me, but I love it and I find it fun and rewarding. |
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Post by peonysunday on Sept 3, 2015 12:30:09 GMT -11
Takes then deletes Selfies. Doh! The camera broke!  |
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