Well, dj, the Alesse scale is a whole 'nother ball of wax. If this is my thesis, that'll be my dissertation and I'll let you know when I've made some progress . Now, is she thinking you're a dreamer, or dreamy? Can't read that one very well.... . Love it!
PShizzy wrote:
I won't opine on where I believe I'm at, just happy where I am.
Max
I think if I ever end up happy with where I am, it's time to find something else to do. To me, the challenge of always trying to get better is part of what I love about photography.
I totally agree and I might have missed something, but I always feel that everyone can crop a good picture to make it a great picture. But can you make a great picture in camera? ie fill the frame!!! I see a lot of decent shots but many are major crops. And some of them are major crops!! Yes there are times when I make a decent crop as well but most of the time I fill the frame, whether it be a tight shot or full body. I know it does depend on the gear, but if you are around stage 7,8,9 you should have the gear as well right??!!
I agree on filling the frame to try to reduce cropping, but disagree on the equipment. As someone who shoots PT for a university I just can't justify some expenditures that I'd love like a 400 2.8. I think the 8 & 9 guys get their shots regardless as they can adapt; conversely the GWC with a 400 2.8 has the gear but perhaps not the experience.
Perhaps...but pros at anything tend to use pro level equipment. Doesnt matter if you are a carpenter or a photographer, the tools of the trade are required. You dont see a master carpenter using black and decker power tools....
GWC doesnt have a 400 2.8....and if he has one, he still doesnt have access.
Remember many of the "pros" dont own the equipment they are walking around with. You can usually tell cause its all beat to hell cause they have no investment. Guys that own their kit take better care of it cause they had to pay for it. Almost all the newspaper guys are using the papers gear.
Brad & Brad, both very true. I make due with my 300 2.8, as well as a 1.4 tc. But many times the Pro's have at least access to the gear needed to get the job done which also means renting if needed. Which I do if it is a paid assignment where I need to get THE shot. A GWC might own the gear but still can't command it, and can't adapt.
I move with the action when I can, and work with what I have to work with, many GWC just stick in a spot and shoot.
And as BB stated many don't own the gear, its just a press pool lens.
Just remember the PRO gear does not make the photographer a PRO.
I just hope that one day my skills with the gear brings me back up to the level where I can post on here again & compete with your guys' talent. One can only dream...
I just hope that one day my skills with the gear brings me back up to the level where I can post on here again & compete with your guys' talent. One can only dream...
Wise guy, eh? I'm speechless.....where the hell have you been?!
Cmo, I think I'm where your at...... floating from 6-8. As a part timer it's hard to get a rhythm that an every day journalist gets. That said I believe we expect 6-10 standouts because of the # of frames we are able to shoot and that's not always possible.
The weaker contests push me to shoot more feature images away from the game. I also look for dejection in the team on the wrong end.
Just so you guys know, this guy doesn't have a clue where he is. A hint: much higher than he gives himself credit for, especially for a part-timer.
As for me, I'm probably not a floater, but a 'floatie', like something unidentifiable that's floating in the punchbowl at a party.
Russ Isabella wrote:
Wise guy, eh? I'm speechless.....where the hell have you been?!
I have just been hanging out trying to hone my skills and figure out which direction I am heading with the photo thing.. What is going on in the great state of Utah?
Nice post Russ, and I can honestly say, I have been here on this site since late 2003 as a lurker, 2004 as a member and about 2005 or 6 as a moderator and I have watched (and helped) people come on here without a clue to which way they should point their camera, learn from observation, participate by asking the right questions, apply what they have learned, repeat, grow in ability, learn more, share what they have learned, start shooting for small clients (rec leagues, little leagues, clubs) on a regular basis, and then start shooting on regular basis for big organizations, wires, magazines, become team photographers for NCAA teams, Pro Soccer teams, and so on. I firmly believe that next to taking photo classes in high school/college, this website is one of the best places to learn and really define you as a photographer.
Carl: Couldn't agree more. In fact, I still remember the first time, many years ago, I saw your comment to someone about their horizon being off. It took me a while to figure out what that meant. Then I was sure it didn't matter and your feedback was more 'off' than the horizon. Then, eventually, I began to pay attention. And I began to see that it did matter. Began to consider it with my own work. And of course, eventually, began providing similar critique . The list of such qualities of a good photo is very long, and as testament to what you're saying, virtually every item on that list, for me, comes from the give-and-take of this website, the Sports Corner in particular.
Carl Auer wrote:
Nice post Russ, and I can honestly say, I have been here on this site since late 2003 as a lurker, 2004 as a member and about 2005 or 6 as a moderator and I have watched (and helped) people come on here without a clue to which way they should point their camera, learn from observation, participate by asking the right questions, apply what they have learned, repeat, grow in ability, learn more, share what they have learned, start shooting for small clients (rec leagues, little leagues, clubs) on a regular basis, and then start shooting on regular basis for big organizations, wires, magazines, become team photographers for NCAA teams, Pro Soccer teams, and so on. I firmly believe that next to taking photo classes in high school/college, this website is one of the best places to learn and really define you as a photographer.
. Now, is she thinking you're a dreamer, or dreamy? Can't read that one very well.... 
. Love it!
Almost all the newspaper guys are using the papers gear.