Photography
This is one of those posts where I go on about process and just sticking to your ideas. The topic of this post: I haven't studied photography.
I've never even used a standard SLR. I'm referring to an SLR with a traditional viewfinder. I shoot with Sony equipment, which is likely a big no-no to many of you who are probably reading this. Modern Sony cameras are SLT cameras, which means they have digital viewfinders which assist you with your exposure. I currently shoot with a Sony A77, and two lenses; a Samyang f1.4 85mm prime, and a Sigma 10-20mm zoom. Even so, I still believe that the product/outcome is only limited to your own efforts. The most basic equipment can be the enabler. I'm not saying my equipment is basic, but it's slightly left of field to the beliefs of many photographers. This doesn't stop me from trying to create what I want to create. I won't let people put me down based on my equipment or processes; if the outcome is positive, then ignore the haters. This brings me to my next point; just doing it.
Here's one of the first shots that I'm actually proud of since having the new A77 camera (I upgraded from an A55 as a Christmas present to myself). Taken using the Samyang 85mm lens.
Higher res version on my website here.
This photo is probably one of at least 60 that I took that night. I got my gear out, set it up and started shooting away. I took enough photos until I felt that I might have a few good ones. The next day I started to edit them. Turns out I only like 2-3 of them including the above image. If you look at that in a negative light, you would think "wow, that's a lot of fails. Success rate is worse than someone using 'your momma' jokes in 2014." Don't ever think that. To me it's a successful night; I managed to get a picture I'm proud to show everyone in one single shoot, which, during sunset can be a very short shoot. I was actually super excited haha.
Stick to it. Keep making what you think is good. Don't let haters deter you. Use positive reinforcement as your guide, not the negative attitudes of others. Learn ways to better your own style, and use the advice of the right people to improve yourself. Accepting advice is not a bad thing. You just have to learn to filter the good advice from the bad advice; the useful feedback from the pointless. It's just like accepting medical advice from medicaladvicefromthisguyinhisbasement.com; would you? I never studied photography further than reading what I thought was correct information after doing long Google searches (I still believe many Uni degrees have been handed out simply thanks to the skills of the student's Googling abilities, but that's another topic which many of you would agree with).
Simply put, I take photos that I think are cool. I use equipment that I like, not what they like. I'm open to learning new things; enough to go study it at University. Now you should do the same, in your own way.
Thanks for reading my thoughts. Now it's time for me to go make a protein shake and watch some Star Wars.
Ps. I wrote this while I was listening to Drake. Yeah, Drake. Never thought I'd really enjoy it, but 'Pound Cake' sounds awesome. This probably explains why I started talking about the 'haterz'... :S