Possibly Giving up.

[RinkRat]

I still enjoy photography, but I feel like I should "down-grade" my equipment, and become like every other P&S parent out there.

I haven't had lots of time lately to take many pics, and inspiration has been pretty much non-existant as well. On top of that, every time I want to take pics, I have to fight with every p&s, and phone cam owner out there.

It seems the "ooohs & aaahs" from friends & family, have now turned into a competition. I now get roughly 200 pics per week from them, showing each step, & motion their child makes. Not that my pictures are worthy of accolades, but I've had enough of the OOF, over exposed, under exposed, poorly compositoined ones that flood my inbox regularly.

When I am asked my opinion on them, I get "Yeah, well if I had YOUR camera, i'd have great shots too." Beyond that, I don't have anyone that has any appreciation for a good shot. Most cannot distinguish any difference between a good or bad picture.

Anywho... I'm just venting, and trying to type out some of my frustration.

Maybe I'm also looking for some ideas on how to beat this, or suggestions on the best way to sell my gear.

Sorry for dumping on here, and I return you to your regularly scheduled forum...

[mbze430]

your best bet on selling your items fredmiranda.com they don't allow price policying. So you can sell your stuff at any price you feel just

[Jaymz]

When I am asked my opinion on them, I get "Yeah, well if I had YOUR camera, i'd have great shots too."


First step I would do is set them straight about this. The camera quality helps somewhat (yes its debatable), but most important part is the knowledge, skill, and the "eye" for the photo.

I have dealt with this exact arguement from my family before, so I let them use my camera for a few hours. They got the same results as they did with their P&S cameras. Point made, I have never heard about "MY" camera again. Now its become my skill ( or lack of. ) :p

[bolantej]

Hey, I've been feeling the same way lately, too. I think it has more to do with my personal life than anything else. I love photography, would really love to get into fashion/glamour but it's so hard finding models. my gf is camera shy and unsupportive. I've decided to go with trying out medium format film shooting for the time being, as I need something else to spark my interest.
I don't think you should really downgrade to a p&s, because you're going to be sick whenever you look at the shots, knowing how you could have done it otherwise with more control.
I would either politely ask them to stop sending you that stuff, and save it for holiday cards, or just dump them as they come in. if it bugs you then why bother looking at them?
Maybe all you need is to plan some time to go out to a nice scenic area and do some shooting. I find that a lot of the time, I am just being a lazy bum when I should be out shooting. I get up early, and sit aroudn the house until the "other" wakes up, then we're busy together doing stuff. I could've had a couple of hours to myself.

You could also try another type of photography, like still life or some other themed series. That's what's so great about this hobby. Even when there's nothing to shoot, there is. (if that makes any sense ;) )

Don't give up. Just try something you haven't before.

[liza]

I have the same problem with parents and their P&S cameras getting in the way while I'm trying to take shots for the newspaper. Some of them are quite aggressive even after I politely ask them to let me "get one for the paper." I've concluded that in these situations when politeness doesn't work I can resort to using my elbows just as they do. :)

[cdifoto]

Here's a blunt wakeup call.


You hate the crap you get sent in email...so WHY would you want to dump your gear and produce that YOURSELF??

Now, I know your results wouldn't be total crap since you have some understanding of photography...but you're still going to be limited. Why let other peoples' crap suck you in? Didn't you get a dSLR and all that equipment to get the best photos you can? If yes, then do it! Shoot your own photos.



My family doesn't understand why I spend the money I spend on equipment...but they sure don't say it's the camera that does it either!

[T.D.]

Rink,

If you're no longer getting joy out of photography, then maybe it is time. However, before you do that, ask yourself why you got into photography in the first place.

Was it to please others?

Was it because of something inside you?

Unless you're entering a contest, there is no competition with other photographers. So higher end P&S cameras are everywhere these days...so what? It doesn't take away from what you love about this wonderful hobby/profession.

Take care.

[R Hardman]

Don't sell. Just put it up for awhile. Maybe it will be a few months, maybe a few years, but the bug WILL come back and bite ya!

[dicky109]

If you're no longer getting joy out of photography, then maybe it is time. However, before you do that, ask yourself why you got into photography in the first place.

Was it to please others?

Was it because of something inside you?
Turnerzdad has it right. Is YOUR photography a way to express yourself? Does it give YOU joy?

I take pictures for ME. If someone else likes them that's a bonus but the bottom line is its something I like to do. I can't share this avocation with my family or friends to whom most of them a throw-away with FLASH is high-tech.

Many of us have gone through these frustrating phases and lack of inspiration and leave photography for a while, but guess what? When you're ready to return to it, your camera will be sitting there, like a good dog, waiting for you. It may not be the fastest or newest, but it will still take great images because you are behind it.

Regarding the bombardment of e-mail pictures, a lot of my friends used to constantly inundate me with jokes; hundreds a week; sometimes a dozen from 1 person in a day. Try asking them to let up, if they continue, spam filters do work, or if you're concerned about ruffling some folks feathers, set up a separate e-mail address and only give that to people who respect your time and sanity. You can then ignore the old address.

Good luck in whatever your decision is.

[Transportithere]

You have a camera kit of super quaility. For you to dispose of it. Will only make you wish, you had not. Put it in the closet or safe, any place safe. Low and behold, this spring, you will open your bag of memory creators.
The rest I will leave to you.

[20DNewbie]

Rink don't give up, I've just gotten into this and already I'm so jazzed about it. You've got some really great pics there, remember, the cameras the tool and your the craftsman.

And for those that say "Well if I had your camera...." I'd tell them to either pony up the money and get the gear, or shut their gobb.

As for the emails, I have a friend that used to send me AT LEAST 100-150 a week. The next time I bumped into her I told her politely that if she continued down that road I would block her addy. Now it's more on the lines of 10-20 a week.

Don't ever let'em get you down. Anytime others start to infect me with their miserableness( :lol: , yes it's a real word), I'll split for a few(hours, days, weeks, whatever :lol: . Try to center myself again and remember what's important and enjoyable in life.

[MiG82]

Given your problems, I find it unusual that you have thought of selling your equipment as a reasonable option.
Your friends look like the problem here. I'm sure that some communication will help the situation. If not, are they really friends?
The behaviour of your friends strikes me as really strange. Did you show off your equipment too much?
I think selling is a poor solution to this problem.

[PIXI_666]

Hi RinkRat

I think Digital Photography is a huge whirlwind, not only does the Pro use it but so does the amateurs, hobby-ists, and also the every day person just snapping happily!

So we are seeing a lot of things going on, and i admit i have the same problem as you, because i have the passion fo rthis subject, other people think that they can send me their photo's and ask for my opinion about their photo's when generally MY opinion is that i really don't like them...but i am too nice to actually say that lol if i did they would come back with the same thing!!

I also get "Why do you need such a big camera, i can take good shots too on my P&S" i just sigh but realise they just don't understand!

Equipment helps, i mean really it doe's, bits and pieces are what make our photography better, but if you dont have a good EYE for photography then your going nowhere fast!

Dont let people get you down, i know when u dont get praise its hard to keep going, sometimes i LIKE to get a lot of praise, even though i shy away and say "Oh be quiet its not that good"

Just know that you are in the right direction, and don't let people take your inspiration and passion away from you - if you be strong, and stay with this good thing, you will feel proud of yourself that you didn't let it get to you :)

Show us some of your work ILL praise you and not compete with you :)

Del

[20DNewbie]

Psst Del, here's Rinks homepage. http://home.comcast.net/~mjpostorino/index.html (http://home.comcast.net/%7Emjpostorino/index.html)

[VanceW]

I'm so thankful people don't send me their pics.

I suggest this. Next time one of your freinds says that cr@p about " If I had your equipment I could too! " just hand it over to em, and say " Yeah ? Try it " and see
how fast they shuddup! :D

As for those people that are always sending you pictures, send them about a dozen full sized images that you've recently taken, with the tag, '" See I have pictures too! "
betcha maybe you don't see so many afterwards. ;)

Keep your gear, you will instantly regret it, the minute it leaves in the nasty brown truck, and replacing will cost you twice. :D

Just take a break, but don't ever give up!

[PIXI_666]

Oh well in THAT CASE!! I think your shots are beautiful, especially the swing photos they really caught my eye! I liek your candid approach to the shots you have taken, and i dont think you should give up because your photographic potential is very high :)

OH and the bus shot of the bridesmaids and grooms men are really fun! I like them!!

Del

[tommykjensen]

your best bet on selling your items fredmiranda.com they don't allow price policying. So you can sell your stuff at any price you feel just

Not sure what You mean with that.

But just to make it clear price policing is not allowed in the marketplace here on POTN.

[Stefan A]

I think it is important to remember why you got into the hobby. Did you get into it to impress others with your equipment and photographic skills. Or to fulfill a creative need in your life? To make money? If you really understand the answer to that question, you will know if you should continue.

I am lucky that I am just beginning to get into photography as a hobby. I plan on keeping low key with family and friends - especially the ones that don't really know anything about photography. I am going to watch my phrases. Instead of saying I want a better camera, I will say I want a camera that is more flexible. I will probably continue to bring a P&S to everyday family situations - but I am sure there will be exceptions.

My suggestion is to keep it low key around people who really don't understand. People will stop associating you with photography and you can get back to why you got into it.

I also woodwork. When I first started, that's all I could talk about. People would always ask me to build them stuff. As if I was going to furnish everyone's house. These days I have slowed down significantly and likewise, the requests have completely stopped.

Stefan

[RinkRat]

Well, thank you everyone.

Some really great reponses here. While I agree that I should be doing this for me. I guess I saw my hobby going in a bit different direction.

When I first started, I wanted to learn the craft, and just create beautiful pictures. But what I got in response to my pictures from friends & family were: "These pictures are wonderful. You really should think about doing this professionally. yadda yadda".

I guess I read too much into that. What I started working towards then, is having F&F call me to take pictures at thier occasions, or do portraits, etc. All for free, because I really enjoy doing it. (I even enjoy the PP work!) That never materialized.

What it seems my interest in photography has done, is inspire everyone to go out & buy P&S, and even phone cams, to show that if I can do it, they can do it too. I guess what I may need to do, is take a break, then go back to doing it for me.

BTW, here is a more recent link to my pics: http://home.comcast.net/~Michael.Postorino/album/index.html

Thanks again for the support.

[300Dplus]

then go back to doing it for me.

I think, that in itself could be the most valuable answer to your dilemma. If we let the opinion and doings of others to be stronger than that of our own, then our motivation will be to please them and not us.

[JayHawk]

Lots of good suggestions here. Keeping things low key is a great one though. Rather than being "the camera guy" when you're around other people, use your tools and vision to branch into other areas (still life, nature, etc. have all been suggested) and let your work speak for itself.

I just got back into photography as a hobby after an 8 year layoff. I used to work as a freelance editorial photographer, and even though selling some of my gear at the time was the right move because I needed the $$$, I still wish I had held on to more of it.

[T.D.]

Follow up:

Rink, I just looked at your website. HELLO -- your work is beautiful!! Anyone who says they can do what you're doing with a P&S is radically misinformed about reality.

Take a break and come back when you're ready. You have a gift. Don't let that go.

P.S. As to the emailers who send you pictures, jokes, etc ad nauseum...just ask them to stop. I have had to do the same thing. Frankly I don't care to scroll through 42 forwards to get the latest (or not so latest) joke about whoever. Just ask them to stop and if they don't, send them half a dozen full size photos and tell them to enjoy!

Take care.

[mbze430]

I don't think it matters what sort of camera you use... Camera is a camera. a dark box. that capture lights and expose to a medium (sensor or film). Anyone can shoot, if they look for details within their frame. Understand light is the most important thing in photography.

Example, this photographer uses a Prosumer Fuji P&S

http://www.modelmayhem.com/pics.php?id=1838

[Jon]

Get a small P&S for an "anytime" camera, take it with you one or two times when the other parents are out with theirs. Outshoot them on their own ground and demonstrate it's the photographer, not the camera. A lot of us have P&S cameras for "carry", so, while it may not see the use of your 20D, it'll be handy when that's too big.

[saravrose]

I know what you mean.. it kills me when i'm competing with P&S's and camera phones for photos.. Over christmas my family asked me to take out my camera for the typical 'santa pics'... Ok, sure whatever, but not when i'm competing with another grandma with a kodak. Finally told her that she could take them or I could. She put her camera in her lap pretty quickly. I think it's important to keep in mind that folks that don't spend hours of free time staring at an image for all the nuances that a photographer will don't understand what goes into it. From a strictly composition stand point I do a better job than most of the people around me because I WORK at it but I don't expect accolades or even folks understanding what it is I was taking. For me, it's all worthwhile when my uncle asks me to order 8x10 prints for his living room and a candid photo that I took replaces the photo studio. No, they don't all 'get' it. Most of the time they think i'm nuts for the money that i've spent and the energy that I put into it. Doesn't matter to me though.. from a good image that i've worked hard at getting right to the lucky candid of my niece they make my day, and make me happy. and if the people around me appreciate it, great. but for now.. i'm content.
I hope you feel better, I sincerely don't think that you should sell off your gear for a P&S you will regret it horribly someday. sari.

[elTwitcho]

What it seems my interest in photography has done, is inspire everyone to go out & buy P&S, and even phone cams, to show that if I can do it, they can do it too. I guess what I may need to do, is take a break, then go back to doing it for me.


It sounds more like the problem is with your family than photography...

I only ran into the "well if I had your camera" thing once, I solved it by simply saying "is that right? here you go" and let them use the camera on manual focus and manual settings for about an hour. I then printed and sent (hand delivered actually) them the total crap images they took when they "had my camera". Haven't heard that statement since from that individual, although you have to realize there is always going to be some smart alek who says it.

[Rob612]

I'm so thankful people don't send me their pics.

I suggest this. Next time one of your freinds says that cr@p about " If I had your equipment I could too! " just hand it over to em, and say " Yeah ? Try it " and see
how fast they shuddup! :D

Hand it over TURNED OFF AND WITH THE LENS CAP ON, let them start from scratch and spend several minutes to understand how to turn it on in the first place, then to understand why they do not see anything in the LCD, then finally to discover that they shoud remove the lens cam (that obviously sits in its place but there is a hood mounted also :D).


As for those people that are always sending you pictures, send them about a dozen full sized images that you've recently taken, with the tag, '" See I have pictures too! "
betcha maybe you don't see so many afterwards. ;)

In full TIFF/16 format, of course. Be gentle, zip them before and see what happens when they unzip the package :)

Keep your gear, you will instantly regret it, the minute it leaves in the nasty brown truck, and replacing will cost you twice. :D

Just take a break, but don't ever give up!

I personally fully agree. It's just a matter of a moment, then you'll regret the sale. As others have said, leave it alone for a while and you'll see that everything will come back very soon.