Don't be afraid to post photos!

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canerino
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p.1 #1 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

If you are a newbie, FM can be tough for sure. There are many quality photogs as well as some harsh critics. But in my opinion, this forum is the number one reason I have grown as a photographer. I started taking photos when bought a new 300D four years ago this month.

If you can weed through the harshness and get to what people are trying to tell you and then if you listen...you will definitely get better as a photographer.

I have seen several people say something to the effect of 'I dont post because there is a high standard here' or 'people are too harsh for me to post my work'. To that I say, STEP UP!

Below are some photos from when I first purchased my camera. When I first posted images here, I use to get crushed. Of course there were many who were supportive. I thought the photos were 'good'...at least they were the best I could do at that time.

Anyway, here are the images! I encourage some of the more established photogs to post some shots from their humble beginnings.

2008 © canerino

Aug 25, 2008 at 03:45 AM

tiznaki
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p.1 #2 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

OMG I cringe when I see photos I took when I started. I will dig some up. Photography definitely has a steep learning curve but once you hit that curve the more you shoot and listen to good advice you seem to ride that curve like a wave.

I have gotten a ton of good advice from fellow members as well as a ton of inspiration.

Aug 25, 2008 at 04:09 AM

Mr.Burns
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p.1 #3 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

In the first one, the eyes are a bit soft.

I would clone out the stray sprinkler in the second one.

And the small bit of skin in the bottom left is distracting it the last one.

But what cute kids!

Of course I'm just kidding! (Not about the kids though.)

canerino wrote:
...this forum is the number one reason I have grown as a photographer.

Couldn't have said it better!

-Mickey

BTW, my first digital was the DReb about four years ago too!

Edited on Aug 25, 2008 at 04:35 AM

Aug 25, 2008 at 04:34 AM

gowhow
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p.1 #4 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Good thread. My first digital was a Fuji Finepix 6900! I only remember that the shutter lag was awful. Getting a child pushed me towards a Rebel Xt, and I now have a 40d. Not sure how much my skills have improved, but my wallet has shrunk

I'll dig out some photos from a few years ago with the 6900 and compare

Aug 25, 2008 at 05:00 AM

timhpark
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p.1 #5 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Excellent post, Chuck! When I first came here to FM, I was in awe of so many photos and photogs. Being a perfectionist by nature, I was never fully satisfied with my photos, so I just admired everyone else's work. I played it safe by not posting, but looking back now, I wish I had. A few months ago, I decided that I would take a much more active role, and I'm so glad I did! Now I just wish there were more hours in a day!

Tim

Aug 25, 2008 at 05:30 AM

Sam Bortol
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p.1 #6 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Wow chuck...this is def very inspiring...this is a great post...I was very afraid to post as well...my first post was just a few weeks ago. I have been a member for less then a year i guess...and have been lurking around for at least 2-3 years. the feedback that I got from it was unbelievable...Really made me look and learn a lot...granted my gf wouldn't let me shoot her again( she hates when I pay more attn to the camera then her lol) but at least I have some pointers for the future...thanks again for the post...

Aug 25, 2008 at 08:10 AM

bazlit
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p.1 #7 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

This should be stickied.

Aug 25, 2008 at 08:51 AM

weeums
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p.1 #8 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

I agree - if it gets good particpation by the upper crust of FM posting some of their early work it would definitely need to be stickied - so that it's always at the top like the first post in the wedding forum.

at anyrate.. regarding being afraid to post. Lurkers come out come out where ever you are... time to post.

no matter how tough the FM crowd is on your work - you'll learn something. Even if it's the who's who of FM dimwits from their posts. You'll learn who you don't care to hear from and who creates some really constructive feedback (ie. Chuck Gardner).. plus you'll get some comment buds and gain some respect for your work all the while documenting your growth for all to see.

At the end of the day.... what us photog creatins believe to be true about your work doesn't take into account much past the technical aspects of your photos. We aren't really breaking down the emotions feelings and appreciation that your intended audience is really enjoying about your work. Might be your cute kids, or a beautiful wife of yours... or some extended love ones - photos of which will create a family legacy to be enjoyed for years to come (10 years from now: "oh man can you believe how dad was wearing his hair in 2008 ?") they won't care that you cropped off someones fingers or the skin tones were off a bit or that you could have cloned out that hose and sprinkler from the lawn if you really wanted to make it right. Or that your post processing was a bit bland for our tastes.. or you tilted enough to give someone motion sickness! Nah...

at the end of the day we're just a bunch of 3rd party opinions offering our thoughts about your work. you know what they say about opinions? an opinion is like a butt-hole - everyone has one!

so let us have em.. your photos that is !

- travis

Edited on Aug 25, 2008 at 09:56 AM

Aug 25, 2008 at 09:23 AM

Smilodon
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p.1 #9 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

I figured I'd follow your advice.

Just registered and put up some pictures here: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/680730/0#6093198

Aug 25, 2008 at 04:53 PM

Jeremy Reitman
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p.1 #10 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Chuck, these are terrible!! You really stunk back then.

Of course I'm kidding!! I should definitely post more. I find myself going through phases where I pick up the camera frequently, and then times where I don't touch it for like a month. I always come here to see the fine work that my "friends" here at FM are posting, hoping that it will inspire me, and it often does. Hopefully I will have some good stuff to post here in the next few days and next week, we'll see, I guess.

Aug 25, 2008 at 07:39 PM

canerino
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p.1 #11 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

thanks everybody...i didnt know how this thread would be received. but i have had a lot of PM conversations where the other party says they dont want to post their work for one reason or another.

i would really like to see more early work from more established FM photogs. i think it would really encourage some of the newer members/lurkers.

come on man...give back a little.

Aug 26, 2008 at 12:14 AM

canerino
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p.1 #12 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

oh, and congrats to those who just registered/just posted...stick around and listen...you WILL learn.

Aug 26, 2008 at 12:14 AM

T-bone1
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p.1 #13 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Ugh! You dog. Just when I had myself convinced I was going to go back to full time lurking...

Aug 26, 2008 at 01:21 AM

CarminaF
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p.1 #14 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Great thread.

Here are some of my early attempts. I totally thought I was THA BOMB.

Not!!!!!!

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Aug 26, 2008 at 01:48 AM

Aug 26, 2008 at 01:48 AM

Spyros D
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p.1 #15 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Chuck, thank you for this.

I owe a lot to this community of photographers. Like others, I feel I have learned an incredible amount, from experienced professionals and amateurs alike. I too really would encourage all those lurkers afraid to post to take that step. It's damn scary, and can be a crushing experience, but it's for the most part very constructive.

I started taking photography more seriously at the beginning of 2007, when I discovered what a wonderful respite to a blinkered and stressful professional life. At the time I was living in Nairobi, Kenya and desperately wanted to find a photography school or club. Unfortunately these do not exist in Kenya, so I took several betterphoto on-line courses. What a waste of time and some very serious money!

I then posted my first photos, got squashed, and went into a brief depression. Funny thing is, I woke up the next day with an impulse to take more photos, and show all of you that maybe I could do a bit better. I started a project to document the elections and then violent crisis in Kenya, regularly posting to this forum. I was amazed and deeply grateful for the constructive criticism, which helped me improve every aspect of my skills. Two things above all I like the best:

1. A lot of people remembered me, and commented on my progress over time, while at the same time pointing out the room for improvement. This has been extremely useful and given me incredibly useful feedback - both from professionals and amateurs, who shared with me gut-felt impressions and with whom I was able to connect in this learning experience.

2. I was taking photos in the middle of a violent and disturbing chapter of Kenyan history, which was emotionally and physically risky. I did it because I wanted, in my own clumsy way, to help put out the story of what was happening. What kept me going and returning every day were the deeply moving words of encouragement and support from FM members - they made me feel it was worthwhile in more ways than one.

I've since moved from Nairobi and am now in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I'm in something of a 7 day a week job so it's difficult to dedicate time to photography, but I'm starting to develop a concept for a project that I hope to start soon. I look at the camera on the edge of my desk every day. You can bet I'll be posting here again.

So that's my story - please post!!!

All the best, Spyros

Edited on Aug 27, 2008 at 07:03 PM

Aug 27, 2008 at 07:01 PM

canerino
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p.1 #16 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

T Bone! dont see a post yet!

Carmina, you are dabomb.com

Spyros! awesome story!

Rest of FMers! Lets hear yours/see your early stuff!!!!!!

Aug 27, 2008 at 09:39 PM

karl_yyz
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p.1 #17 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Here are a few early people shots from my high school days, waaay back in the seventies when I first took a serious interest in photography. Number 3 was taken with a 50's vintage Pentacon, one and two with an Olympus OM1.

1. Night game

This image is copyrighted by the owner

2. Believe it or not, this was not posed...

This image is copyrighted by the owner

3. Field trip

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Aug 28, 2008 at 12:52 AM

Matt Philbin
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p.1 #18 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

canerino wrote:
If you are a newbie, FM can be tough for sure. There are many quality photogs as well as some harsh critics... To that I say, STEP UP!

Well, I took your advice. I'd been sitting on some shots for a few weeks. I did a shoot with this girl last year and got shot down here (in the people forum). So, this year, I had another opportunity to try. I studied you and others that I respect, and tried again. She and I went out on a hot summer morning and I did my best! I just posted a few of the shots... Thanks Chuck, for the encouragement & for setting a good example!

Aug 28, 2008 at 01:49 AM

Jerren
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p.1 #19 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

I'm not one of the greats here but this forum has helped me greatly. Looking at photogs like Canerino keeps me motiviated and wanting me to move forward with my photography. I honestly went out and bought my 5D after seeing his highschool senior faces series.

Like I said before I'm not one of the best here but here a few of my first that I thought were good and were post worthy on fredmiranda. and I still got tore to peices but it all made me better.

this was shot with a kodak p&S

Shot when I first got the rebel and my 50 1.8

Getting dangerous with photoshop

First serious shoot with the 5D

Edited on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:13 PM

Aug 28, 2008 at 07:07 PM

Jerren
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p.1 #20 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

karl_yyz wrote:
Here are a few early people shots from my high school days, waaay back in the seventies when I first took a serious interest in photography. Number 3 was taken with a 50's vintage Pentacon, one and two with an Olympus OM1.

Your early stuff is smokin!!

Aug 28, 2008 at 07:16 PM

RT v Genugten
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p.1 #21 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Great thread,

Im not into people photography,
But the idea is the same,
Just keep on posting images,
You'll learn something new everytime!

RT.

Aug 28, 2008 at 07:37 PM

Matt Philbin
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p.1 #22 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

^^ All rules and best practices aside (those are for others to judge), that is a fantastic photograph!

Aug 28, 2008 at 08:20 PM

RyanFlynn
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p.1 #23 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Oh man, looking at my stuff when I got my first "real" camera (300D) is soooo funny/embarrassing. But it's cool, too. I'll see what I can dig up from then ... had to be about 5 years ago when I got it.

Great thread, though, Chuck. I didn't even like to take pics of people for the LONGEST time. Now I love it and rarely shoot anything else. Progress and growth are amazing things, and I'm thankful for all the pushes and inspiration I got from other people, and all the info I got from forums ... really helped get me to where I am today.

hmm, here's a few from 04-05, before I shot people, really. Booooo! haha.

Edited on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:31 PM

Aug 28, 2008 at 10:30 PM

karl_yyz
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p.1 #24 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

Jerren wrote:
Your early stuff is smokin!!

Thank you.

Aug 28, 2008 at 11:44 PM

T-bone1
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p.1 #25 · Don't be afraid to post photos!

canerino wrote:
T Bone! dont see a post yet!

Okay. Here's an early shot. Thought I was going to be the next great thing to hit Sports Illustrated. Now I'm just happy shooting for myself, family, and friends.

I still enjoy the symmetry of this shot today, however. 2006 Washington State Cyclocross Championships.

Aug 29, 2008 at 02:10 AM


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