Photography, and I...

I just need to vent, a little bit. It's very hard to have a passion for something and not being able to share it with those that are closest, to me. Most of the people that I have contact with are indifferent. They are happy with cell phone pictures and even prefer those, over properly exposed shots...it boggles the mind.

Anyway, that's not the point of this post.

I'm in love. I have fallen madly in love, with capturing moments, things, etc... It's so intoxicating.

I'm far from where I want to be. I want to be able to compose a shot that makes the majority of people say 'whoah'. I'm not sure I'll ever be 'there'. That's what I love about this 'art'. It's not about a goal. It's about creating.

To that end, I find myself reading a LOT. When I first became interested in chemistry, I couldn't stop reading about it. Then, I got a job as a chemist.... My desire to learn or even think of chemistry went through the floor. The industry literally killed my love of chemistry. But, I cannot blame industry. It was me.

I think I'm going to stop typing now. LOL

Too much, in too little time.

Thanks for reading this vent.

/vent

ah...something for you to ponder upon.
"You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved."
— Ansel Adams
peace.

tkadrum wrote in post #12936231
ah...something for you to ponder upon.
"You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved."
— Ansel Adams
peace.

*like*

So in this industry and the way its headed shouldn't you be afraid that your love for photography will,"fall through the floor."

35mmNewbie wrote in post #12936341
So in this industry and the way its headed shouldn't you be afraid that your love for photography will,"fall through the floor."

I don't plan to do it, for a living...

My point of using chemistry as an example. I was in love with it, too. But, doing it for a job killed it for me. It's not the same, for everyone. For sure. I started building PC's back in 1998-9. I fell in love with that, too. Never did it, for income or anything other than my love of doing it. I'm pretty sure if I had started doing it for a living, I would now hate building PC's. I digress.

tkadrum wrote in post #12936231
ah...something for you to ponder upon.
"You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved."
— Ansel Adams
peace.

Thanks, for this.

Str0ntium wrote in post #12936178
I just need to vent, a little bit. It's very hard to have a passion for something and not being able to share it with those that are closest, to me. Most of the people that I have contact with are indifferent. They are happy with cell phone pictures and even prefer those, over properly exposed shots...it boggles the mind.

Anyway, that's not the point of this post.

I'm in love. I have fallen madly in love, with capturing moments, things, etc... It's so intoxicating.

I'm far from where I want to be. I want to be able to compose a shot that makes the majority of people say 'whoah'. I'm not sure I'll ever be 'there'. That's what I love about this 'art'. It's not about a goal. It's about creating.

To that end, I find myself reading a LOT. When I first became interested in chemistry, I couldn't stop reading about it. Then, I got a job as a chemist.... My desire to learn or even think of chemistry went through the floor. The industry literally killed my love of chemistry. But, I cannot blame industry. It was me.

I think I'm going to stop typing now. LOL

Too much, in too little time.

Thanks for reading this vent.

/vent

Ha, you make a good point.

I guess one way to say it is that, "whatever it is, work sort of sucks". For most people, I guess. But I suppose it's all a matter of balancing expectations with reality.

But yeah...I've heard LOTS of photography addicts say that they NEVER want it as a full time job. Because much of the fun comes from the freedom of it being a hobby. As soon as they're forced to start doing stuff that they hate, and have to deal with jackass coworkers on the side, then it becomes WORK and stops being fun. Or...at least that's what they are AFRAID will happen, since they've seen the same thing happen with the other things that they are passionate about.

And hell...I sort of feel the same way. Right now I'm paying for photography classes. And yeah...a significant portion of what I'm required to do sort of pisses me off. And it's easy for me to get annoyed since I'm the one paying, but...that's not gonna be the case if I ever get lucky enough to get a JOB doing this ****. Once I'm on the payroll, then I'll probably have to deal with the same old jackasses that I meet on a daily basis, and end up primarily photographing stuff that doesn't interest me one bit.

And yeah...a job's a job, and work is work. That's not stopping me from doing photography, but it'd be unrealistic for me to expect that I'll like the job if I ever go pro. I know several chefs with a passion for food, who are constantly pissed off because things changed once they actually got a job.

Hell...I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I try to pick up knowledge and techniques and ideas from the classes that I'm taking, but the WORK I'm required to do is probably at least 33% stuff that doesn't interest me at all. The people who I work with know that I dabble in photography, and some of them have actually asked me to take pictures for them. And...while I could certainly use the money, right now I'm at a place where I'm just really free to do what I want. I don't have much experience with shooting peoples' kids, I'm not confident in the quality of the pictures, I don't have a whole lot of interest in that stuff, and lack of proper studio lighting limits my potential in the first place.

But I guess that's just a matter of balancing thing out. There's nothing WRONG with photography just being a hobby. Hell...I'm actually paying to learn photography and am right now being offered paid "gigs" to do work for people. And I've turned down all of those offers because it'sstuff that I just don't do. I'm not certain enou8gh of my competency to demand menetary compensation, and I care so little about the subject matter that I'd rather be doing anything else.

And I think that's the point. Right now, I love photography. But I also have FREEDOM. I don't have a boss. The second that I get put on the payroll is the second that I have to give up a lot of my freedom and just plain do whatever the hell I'm getting paid to do.

No worries having a 'vent' every now and again....

Str0ntium wrote in post #12936178
I just need to vent, a little bit. It's very hard to have a passion for something and not being able to share it with those that are closest, to me. Most of the people that I have contact with are indifferent. They are happy with cell phone pictures and even prefer those, over properly exposed shots...it boggles the mind.

IMHO, this is a good thing.
If you know who they are, you can also say that perhaps 75% of them will never become clients. They'd never pay for a "great" photo because they'd disagree too much about what a "great" photo was.
Fine.
Let them think so.
BUT, the other (lets say) 25%, I think it's your "job" to educate them regarding the difference in a "great" photo, and a "snapshot".

Like so many in here!

IMHO, you're describing exactly why, for most, this needs to stay a hobby.

Nothing wrong with reading, but unlike chemistry, with photography, you can do it without huge expense, or violating too many local laws!!!!
So, my advice, is DO IT!
Stop writing about how people can't tell the difference between a grainy, cellphone shot, and a beautifully composed, perfectly lit photo taken with a dSLR/quality lens combo.

Regards,
Simon

I know! I was just a normal nurse doing my job but when my boyfriend gave me a Nikon D90 as a gift, it really changed my whole view on photography. Now, most of the time I put one goal in mind when I take a picture of my surroundings, it's to give ME the "woah!" factor, I really couldn't care less what other people think of my pictures as long as I am able to cherish my moments

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, guys.