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