SMB2
05-04-2015, 11:32 AM
We all are busy; Family, work, water changes...
But if you want to get better taking pictures, mastering whatever camera you have (even cell phone options), there is just no substitute for actually taking pictures. While I love to read about all things photographic, and I learn a lot from looking at lots of images (one of the great benefits of this gallery), I only get better when I have the camera in my hand...a lot.
One way to force yourself to take more pictures is to join a group. I know, there is no time. But this forces you to take the time. It can be a structured group like a camera club, which will have regular outings or more informal, like a meet-up group. I recently joined a local nature photography meet up group and we had a shoot yesterday. The site was a Delaware wildlife area about a two hour drive from my house. That meant getting up at 4am, something I might have passed on if not for the meeting group. I knew none of the photographers but they were all great to get to know and talented. We pretty much shot on our own but would pause and exchange thoughts on the morning. Abilities were across the board so one should not be intimidated by the 600mm lenses! It was really a pleasant day so I thought I would pass along the idea as a way to get out with the camera.
(The same organization has a group shooting in DC on Friday for a WWII vintage plane fly over. I know nothing about airplanes or photographing them. But it sounds cool so I signed up!)
Here are some shots from yesterday. Greater Yellowleg Sandpiper shot just after sunrise. (I love how water serves to reflect light up under wading birds.) Eastern Kingbird a little later. Tree Swallow (they don't sit much so any perch will do, even a sign post!) around 9am and a Blue Grossbeak at 11am. You can see how the changing light affects the images to the point where the Grossbeak, an amazing bird, is really not an acceptable image because of the harsh contrasty light.
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86883
But if you want to get better taking pictures, mastering whatever camera you have (even cell phone options), there is just no substitute for actually taking pictures. While I love to read about all things photographic, and I learn a lot from looking at lots of images (one of the great benefits of this gallery), I only get better when I have the camera in my hand...a lot.
One way to force yourself to take more pictures is to join a group. I know, there is no time. But this forces you to take the time. It can be a structured group like a camera club, which will have regular outings or more informal, like a meet-up group. I recently joined a local nature photography meet up group and we had a shoot yesterday. The site was a Delaware wildlife area about a two hour drive from my house. That meant getting up at 4am, something I might have passed on if not for the meeting group. I knew none of the photographers but they were all great to get to know and talented. We pretty much shot on our own but would pause and exchange thoughts on the morning. Abilities were across the board so one should not be intimidated by the 600mm lenses! It was really a pleasant day so I thought I would pass along the idea as a way to get out with the camera.
(The same organization has a group shooting in DC on Friday for a WWII vintage plane fly over. I know nothing about airplanes or photographing them. But it sounds cool so I signed up!)
Here are some shots from yesterday. Greater Yellowleg Sandpiper shot just after sunrise. (I love how water serves to reflect light up under wading birds.) Eastern Kingbird a little later. Tree Swallow (they don't sit much so any perch will do, even a sign post!) around 9am and a Blue Grossbeak at 11am. You can see how the changing light affects the images to the point where the Grossbeak, an amazing bird, is really not an acceptable image because of the harsh contrasty light.
86880
86881
86882
86883