Have you ever heard the country song “It’s Hard to be Humble”? Well, I am finding it VERY difficult to be anything BUT on this website! I wonder if any of you have experienced the same feelings I have when roaming through this site.
I LOVE taking pictures and although I realize I am in no way, shape, or form a pro; I do think I have taken some pretty amazing pictures….or at least I DID until I started looking through redbubble. The level of artistry is amazing on here!!
I guess it is all a matter of perspective….I have never taken any classes, really have not much of an idea how to use the camera I have properly to get the best shot, and I am a complete amateur. So all in all, I take a pretty good shot! However, with the quality of art found on this site, it will urge me to expand my knowledge and perhaps learn a few tricks to make me grow as a photographer.
Thanks for that!!
Mundy Hackett
Darlene, I couldn’t agree more with you, and I just want to share with you my brief background to hopefully give you the belief that it will happen in time. I have been taking nature images for about 12 years, but over those 12 years I have taken breaks of various lengths that have been as long as 2 years! So I can honestly say that although I say I have been doing this for 12 years give or take, it probably only adds up to about half that in actual effort and practice time in the field with the gear! I, like you, have never taken a class of any kind. I have taken one workshop years ago with Joe Englander in Big Bend NP, Texas that basically set me on the path I am on now. I have been lucky enough to upgrade my equipment as I went, but I have debt to go with those choices. I have been lucky enough to have several sales and publications that I feel both lucky and proud of, but I worked hard to get them. I used to read everything I could get my hands on, not so much anymore. I took alot of what i know from John Shaw, and i have a lot of enthusiasm for nature so I learn about all things great and small. I say all this to you because I feel not only did I make way more mistakes, waste much too much time and money making bad images, and basically struggle up the learning curve because i was too shy to take advantage of all of the wonderful photographers that are out in the world and are amateurs like you and me! Never, ever be afraid to ask for help, suggestions, ideas, or just a sounding board. There is a reason we have teachers in schools, and I think the same can be said for photography or other arts. Now I am not saying that there are not natural talents that need no instruction, they just have it! But I was not one of those, I struggled to get the eye I have and I wish I had llearned more about the qualities of light and how light really makes or breaks an image a long time ago. I am rambling now, but the bottom line is you should be proud of your work, and realize that if you work at it and take full advantage of the opportunities and resources available out there you will surpass your wildest expectations! Thanks for writing and sharing this with all of us, and feel free to ask me questions about stuff anytime. I am always eager to help another artist where I can.
Cheers
Mundy
Lea Wells
I agree… I was feeling pretty haughty until I started looking around and then I decided my work sucks.
Darlene Ruhs
Oh Lea! NO, you do NOT suck! I think you are quite talented! I think I have a lot to learn when it comes to photography but I am still proud of what I can do in the short time I’ve been doing it. Something I have learned on here is you have no one to please but yourself. If you are proud of your work and enjoy doing it, thats all that matters! If you seriously feel you suck, then take advantage of the great people on here to give you some tips. You see above what Mundy said to me, and I have to tell you, his work blows me away! Unbelievably nice of him to write all that to me and offer me his assistance. This site has a lot of great people like that….which in itself is also humbling!
pooh4u2
If I did have my hubby in couragring me I would of run away though I still think mines not that great.