Five Things A Photographer Should Never Do

Thanks Bonfire

Ditto. Thanks, Bonfire.

Though, I do compare my work to others and not in a bad way.....

Thomas Z shoots some fantastic storm shots, so I compare mine and ask, WWTZD? How did he do that? I am not planning to drive to Kansas to emulate it but how do I capture the beauty of the storms here like he does there?

Not always a bad thing.

Thanks!

Thank you, we can all use some great advice as well as the encouragement at times :)

Ditto JC - I find that seeing the amazing work of others can drive me to improve my technical skills with the camera, if not at least see what is possible. I still have a long, long way to go however which means I still have a lot of fun learning ahead.

What about shooting 45000 frames in ones surrounding area... is this a yes or no?

Well Lutz I see nothing wrong with that, there are so many photo ops in every corner where people live, many never notice until you capture the scene and they see the beauty in it for the first time. As far as my surrounding area it is quite vast and is thousands of acres of rich prairie, 90 miles is a short drive for me anymore.

I always look at others work and strive for similar shots, it keeps me motivated and always on the lookout for something different.

JC you are right on Thomas's shots and I am envious of them in a good way, I love a good storm but dislike being in it.

#1 is my worst enemy. I'm always comparing myself to others, especially in portrait photography. Guess that's how I've grown so much in just a couple years, because I've learned from others mistakes, but I've also put myself down too when I see things I think are better than mine.

Jenniffer, why is that an enemy? Continue comparing... Why mix in the feeling of putting yourself down while comparing??

Btw your image Peace in the Morning has a very nice mood!

Thanks for the post and replies!
I love learning others ways as well as further developing my own. Great lessons!

I love to see fantastic work and try to learn how to emulate it. I am only up to about 37k images in my surrounding area though Lutz, and depending on the weather, I take 300-500 on weekends. I am on a birds and nature kick right now, but typically do landscapes, with rural farm scenes and vintage architecture being my favorites. I always like to see others work to get ideas, and so I can learn. I am always researching techniques, and fiddling with my camera settings. Right now, since the hummingbirds are out near my home, I am taking lots of pictures, with my goal being to get a pihotograph of a hummingbird that fills the frame, is tack sharp, and no wing blur. As long as I have a goal I have motivation to continue.

Alicia, on my end many of your pics look a bit underexposed - compared to other photographs on this site.
Is that a look you prefer or is the outcome here different from what you see on your computer before uploading?

I actually disagree with #1. I NEED to be comparing my work to others. I don't put myself down, it's what drives me to improve.

Chuck, I agree with your disagreement!

I don't really compare my work to others - only that perhaps I'm not putting up the same shot. The primary thing for a photographer - don't leave home without the camera.

I always compare my work with others. Most of the time just to see where I stack with the competition, but sometimes when I see work of some great photographers I fee like selling my gear because think I won't ever be that good. However it probably isn't that I can't be that good so much as I will probably never get to those locations to find out.

Only five?? Regardless, it's a good thing rules were made to be broken.

Maybe there should be a #6 - don't automatically take any advice seriously when it's part of an article written to harvest clicks to other sites. Or is that just my suspicious mind working overtime again?

Great tips! Thanks for sharing. I've been missing photography lately since my day job has become a bit all encompasing. Looking forward to having more time in the off season to play again and I'll certainly keep all those tips in mind.

Thank you for sharing!!

amen.

Thanks for the shout outs, flattered to see some of my work is envied as I myself feel like I have such a long way to go.

I am on the fence though about the comparing others. I would say absolutely watch others work, be inspired by it, learn from it, let it drive you. My best work, however, is always when I am running off my own visions. Those visions may have been inspired by the work of others in some way, but they are mine.

"Never compare yourself to others, it will only bring you down.

I think a better statement would be to be 'aware' of other peeps work and quality, not to copy anyone but to improve your own and try to make/create something a little different than what others are offering. Either with subject matter (Abilene, etc) or style and technique. Of course we are mostly all here to get or be good enough to sell work and that changes the game in my opinion.