Beyond PP course - how to get better

[rtauer]

Hi guys,

I am nearly finished with the PP course (last subject and assignment pending) and am wondering "where to from here"?

I would like to know, what do other beginners do from here? Are you focusing on a particular subject matter in order to continue improving? Are you sticking to a schedule (i.e. photo day once a week) to put some structure around taking photos? Or are you just taking photos 'when the opportunity arises?

Currently I am constantly looking for opportunities and sometimes set myself a little task i.e. the other day I did a breakfast photo shoot see result attached. However it's a little 'all over the place' - sometimes sunrises, sunsets, at the markets, candid portraits, parties, macro...


I am actually doing a one day course at the Zoo as well, just to get a quick revision and put it all in practice a little more with an expert at hand.

I am thinking about entering competitions - just to challenge myself a little, but it's pretty dauting as a beginner.

Ideally I would like continuous feedback from others.

I would like to hear your thoughts.

[rtauer]

Here is the picture I was refering to.

[shirlm2]

Hi rtauer, well done on almost completing the course. I'm sure like me you got a lot out of it but I have found it was just the start. I find this forum a fantastic place to get continuous feed back and ideas to improve techniques as well as ideas of what to take.

I just take photos when the opportunity arises but try to do something every week, even if I don't post anything. I think it all depends on where your interests lie and I'm finding certain areas developing more than others.

You will always find helpful comments here, always positive and helpful never negative or demeaning, and I encourage you to post shots under the relevant catagories and keep up with the forum on a regular basis. I don't think you can go wrong as a way forward.

Hope this helps & keep shooting. I look forward to seeing more of your photos.

[Kaye]

Hi rtauer,

I could not agree more with what Shirley has said above.
I personally have learned so much on the forum from other members' input, assistance and suggestions. It is such a great place to post your shots, have fun and learn at the same time. (We are all friendly here).

I believe photography should not be a "task" as you mentioned this word in your post.
I do not set any times or schedules to my photography. I definitely take advantage of the times I am going out for the day, and always end up with too many shots (at least 200 or so). I just love it so much, that I spend too much time on my photos and not enough on my work.

I can simply walk out my front door and find something beautiful to shoot, whether it be a flower, insect, interesting clouds, an autumn coloured tree.... Or I may be on a break from work... the other day I walked up the street to warm up as it was cold, and took a shot of what was a simple daisy, and have now entered this shot in a photo competition. It was just in someone's front garden.

And, when the weather is bad, you can always consider "still life" photography. Find anything interesting around your house, bit of lighting and nice background. You may be amazed at what you can produce!

I would also recommend (for many ideas) visiting the "Weekly Photoshots" on the home page. There are so many ideas in here, and you can post shots to any of these threads, no matter how old. It is here to give members ideas of things to shoot.

Sorry this is a bit long, but I hope I have been of some help to you.

[jerryph]

Good job on being near completion.

What I would suggest from here next is to join a local photography club or a strobist club if you are into learning about off camera flash.

By now you should have a little bit better of an idea of what aspects you like in general (landscape, portraiture, birding, etc...). Based on which one you like, nothing beats practicing and having fun with it.

My love went to weddings, and so I found a wedding photographer as a mentor and I take it from there doing weddings and engagement sessions and other things related to portraiture in my chosen field.

Consistency is the key and setting new goals and talking to many others as to how and what they did to advance is a good thing.

Just my 2 cents.

[eyerkish]

It is interesting to see Jerry's comment because that is the route I am going now that I have completed the course. I have found a few local clubs that go out and do shoots every so often. Because of my work schedule, I am not able to make every one, but I am excited about getting to go out there and practice. I am going to try to make a shoot towards the end of the month but in the mean time, I am beginning to study lighting. I want to save up for a trip to go and learn from Jerry on one of his shoots. Best of luck and congratulations on completing the course!

[jerryph]

(pssst... no one tell Eddie I am a beginner too, ok?)

[mrdoug]

(pssst... no one tell Eddie I am a beginner too, ok?)

L M B O !


You're killing me, Jerry!

[jerryph]

Here is a good place to get a little practice and have some fun... charity events!

My friend had his son go to a private school, and they sponsored this charity golfing event. I was thankfully invited and my friend and I had a blast driving around the golf course in carts and setting up a few fun shots. It was a brutal day to shoot, basically 3 bare flashes to get ambient under control, but that did not matter... what did was that we had a ton of fun!







Full sideshow HERE.

[Kaye]

Jerry, looks like you did have a real fun day.
You are lucky to have all these models who are "ready, willing and able"! Love the body positioning in the first