Sophomore Jinx?

When I first started photography seriously, it seemed I got lots of great shots. Many of which I still consider among some of my better ones.

Then, as I learned more, I started to suck.

Then, as I learned even more, I started to get better again.

Anyone else experience this?

Nope. I've always sucked.

I find that as I learn more, I am starting to "see" more shots as my thinking as changed to what constitutes a good shot. I know I am probably still missing much more than I am seeing, but at least I am starting to see an improvement which is encourging.

In a sense yes. Starting out I loved my shots and people buying them encouraged me. After learning a bit I become more critical only loving a select few although I still think many shots with my XT and Kit lens are better than ones now. A lot may have to do with the selection of shots. Now I take tons of photos, then it was here and there.

Here's something, I find myself getting sloppy. My photos which I've taken before in the same enviroment, are not turning out as great as they once were. I think I don't care since it is the same thing (fiancee's class) and I hardly have time to go out myself and shoot what I want so I"m getting sloppy in my settings, holding, etc.

Anyone have this? Not go out in a long time and feel like you need to get a feel for it again? Like anything else, I think you have to have fun with it and when you stop doing what you want and just the same old thing, it gets tiring.

Your expectations change as you learn. What you would have thought was a good photo last year doesn't even get cataloged now.

I do the same thing with golf. When I play twice a year I will usually shoot around 85. But then I think I could get really good at this so I start to play all the time. Next thing I know I'm shooting 110. To much pressure on yourself and your expectations changed.

There is a three step progression as a painter.
1. Newbie: you get paint all over the place because you don't know any better.
2. Learned: you know what you are doing so you don't get paint all over the place.
3. Expert: you get paint all over the place because you realized only the paint on the wall matters. Who cares about the paint everywhere else.