Kurt LaRue
(K=5067) - Comment Date 2/2/2005
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Hi Chuck. As a relative newcomer to photography I'm probably not qualified to answer your question the way some of our more seasoned associates may be. But as I love things philosophical (that's why I watch this forum) I can't help but spout off a little.
Although I'm solidly into my forties, I've only had a "serious" camera (SLR) for a little over a year, so much of the thrill that's gone for you is still new to me. Like having a photo selected to be in a juried competition my first time out. I didn't win any award but I found out later that other photographers have been trying to get an entry accepted into that particular show for years without success. That was a thrill for me! Having people wanting to buy my prints is a thrill. Heck, just hearing someone say "wow, that's a great picture - how'd you get that?", is a thrill.
Perhaps you've heard all of this stuff so many times you can take it for granted by now. If so, congratulations! Maybe someday I, too, will share the same lament. In the meantime however, I have two local contests coming up in the next couple of weeks and I'm thrilled just to have some shots worth entering. Best wishes, Kurt
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Chuck Freeman
(K=13616) - Comment Date 2/2/2005
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Best wishes and keep flame burning..
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Walt McNeil
(K=2146) - Comment Date 2/3/2005
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I went through a phase for quite a while, when I had questions. Why go out and shoot like everybody else, to the same place, and do the same thing.
Now I know that the thrill is still there; in fact it is a burning flame. If you truly love photography, don't worry about what everybody else is doing.
A photographer goes out because he loves(for one thing) to be out, and finding beautiful places to shoot, and to create images in his own style.
You first must remember these ideas or rules.
SHOOT OR TAKE PICTURES BECAUSE YOU LOVE TO DO SO!!
SHOOT FOR YOURSELF, BECAUSE YOU LOVE TO DO SO.
SHOOT FOR YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU WANT TO CREATE IMAGES UNLIKE OTHERS HAVE DONE.
I have 3 loves in my life.
The love for our Lord Father, Jesus Christ.
The love for my wife and home.
THE LOVE OF PHOTOGRAPHY, HOLDING A CAMERA IN MY HANDS DOING WHAT I LOVE TO DO.
Find your path, and the excitement and passion will find you. Go out and create beautiful quality images. Make yourself happy.
Walt
I could say much more but I want to go out and take more images1
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Roger Williams
(K=86139) - Comment Date 2/3/2005
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Me, I'm still living in the good old days. Rangefinder cameras and film. And oh yes, an M42 SLR with stop-down metering (remember that?). They haven't changed a bit. Still fun, still fascinating/satisfying/frustrating. Still haven't been able to reach a higher level of skill, but still enjoying the use of my own limited skills... So I guess my answer is "No, I don't miss them."
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Roger Williams
(K=86139) - Comment Date 2/3/2005
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Forgot to add that I've been playing with a mobile phone that doubles as a digital camera. It's a lot of fun, and has widened my range a little. I now do the occasional "candid" shots, mostly on my daily commute through Tokyo... So let the good times roll!
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Richard Dakin
(K=12915) - Comment Date 2/3/2005
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"The Thrill Is Gone" by BB King might not have sold a million copies (I think it was his first gold record actually), but if I remember correctly it won a Grammy. I have not been shooting that long, but I still get as excited just holding my camera as I do picking up my guitar. And I have been playing that long.
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Harvey Guikema
(K=313) - Comment Date 2/3/2005
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Perhaps it is a slump. When that feeling comes on, it requires me to look a great photos, read a photo book, then go out and shoot some more. I, too, have been in this industry for 30 plus years. It can get mundane and repetative. Then I grab a 4x5, or 120 or digital or 35 and go shoot some thing. Get back in the darkroom and print something. There's nothing like the sense of achievement. Sometimes people even will pay money for the fun I have! How about that? So don't just sit there, go out and shoot something. Join a PMC (print a month club) or a PWc (print a week club). Most of all get inspired by doing.
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Dana Finchum
(K=2200) - Comment Date 2/3/2005
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Drop out, I did. After 22 years of shooting I tired of it and quit in 1991.From then until 2003
all I shot were family events and snap shots with
point and shoot 35mm. In 2003 it started coming back thanks to a HP digital camera. The manipulation on the computer added to it. "The Thrill' came back with a vengance. A 5mp camera was next, followed by opening the case of my 35mm's. That was followed with repair and use of my Rollei. The Thrill of shooting is now stronger than ever before, partly from having to play catch up with technique and such, and party from new ideas. I hope to get back to my past level and then pass it. Although I must say it would be nice for camera manufacturers to make a simple, quality 35mm body.
Dana
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Bad Site
(K=979) - Comment Date 2/4/2005
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Today is tomorrows "good old days"
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luis pereira
(K=26013) - Comment Date 2/5/2005
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It's a phase Chuck. I thought I coudn't have any fun if I ever lost my Canon FTb and my darkroom. I skipped the the "pre-set" super cameras and now I'm Mr. Dgital and enjoying it.
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José Azevedo
(K=9845) - Comment Date 2/6/2005
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Hi Dana, I did the same and can state that sometimes a "vacation" is necessary, even from the things you love. You recharge your feelings about it and renew your vision.
Today I can't wait to go photographing again.
Regards,
José Azevedo
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Dana Finchum
(K=2200) - Comment Date 2/6/2005
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Hi Jose,
Sounds like the vacation did us both some good.
I've found that this time I'm more flexible on what I shoot and try to do every shot at it's best. Instead of limiting myself to one or two areas I'm trying all, this is keeping my interest keen. It's also good to hear that someone else took time off.
Dana
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Dai Hunter
(K=2028) - Comment Date 2/6/2005
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Chuck... you spell slump... S L U M P
As a writer [paid] I have days that I don't even want to see the computer. Even the sight of a ball point pen will send me into a state of anxiety. As a photographer [paid] there are days that I even avoid walking past the mini-lab in the grocery store much less take any photos... but...
One thing that always does it for me, however, is to mentor a younger photographer, who really want's to learn the craft, in the field (or in the studio.) I get my camera and they get theirs - we may shoot for an hour or for a whole day but I can become so involved in THEM getting good images that there are times that, at the end of the shoot, I notice that I haven't even loaded my camera or, if I did, not released the shutter, even once. BUT I have worked, and ofttimes harder than if I were on my own, on subject selection; composition; film selection; the mechanics of metering for shutter speed and aperature; focus; depth of field; lighting; the works... and what's more I actually look forward to seeing the (their) results.
The interesting thing is that I always feel that I come away having learned someting fresh and new. And that is revitalising.
Hunter
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Chuck Freeman
(K=13616) - Comment Date 2/8/2005
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You have inspired me to go back to my roots and forget about the glitzy photos that are so commonplace these days.
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Roger Williams
(K=86139) - Comment Date 2/9/2005
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I'm delighted to hear it, Chuck. The old magic is still there. I'd guess that it was something OUTSIDE photography that diverted your interest and attention away from it and undermined your enjoyment. I've been through a bit of that myself, recently. IT (photography) hasn't changed, for sure...
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Richard Dakin
(K=12915) - Comment Date 2/9/2005
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There have been some really good responses here Chuck. Although I have not really felt that the thrill has gone for me, I do sometimes get frustrated. When that happens I load my Nikon with B+W, and go searching for inspiration with only my 50mm 1.8D lens. Somehow climbing all over the place trying to compose without various zoom lenses to make it easier is VERY therapeutic.
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José Azevedo
(K=9845) - Comment Date 2/10/2005
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Hi Dai,
that's a fact.
Sometimes it's better to talk about photography than to photograph. For then you get feedback, inputs you won't get shooting or on an exhibition. Your exercise with others is a fantastic example. By passing your experience you review it and learn from it, something we rarely stop to wonder about - what are we doing with all we've learned.
I once began to search magazines on which I could READ about photography instead of watch images. Unfortunately the one I admired most for its content doesn't exist anymore - Camera & Darkroom. The characteristic that made it so special it was it contained FEW images and, although the name suggests, wasn't all about technique, on the contrary. Even the technical side was dealed with a human, personal, artistic focus.
Using another media (words) to think about another (images) inspires your mind, you see through your mind's eye, which is helpful to improve your visualization. You create images on your mind that doesn't necessarily exist but help develop your eye. And you're also feeding your subconscious with theories, information that, when needed, is instinctively put on practice, becomes natural.
This is a bit of Zen but works. Dealing with "creativity" daily for 23 years - I'm an advertising art director and was first a copywriter... - I can tell by experience that feeding your brain, letting subconscious do its part and pushing for it later can bring nice results if you don't stress the process and try to make it a law.
It's a bit of deja vu but we comprehend things better without pressure. Things we do with pleasure always brings better results. Our job is to find how to take pleasure from everyday things. I try to keep the mind fresh and open, allowing serendipity to give a hand.
Regards,
Jose Azevedo
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Tony Tiger
(K=239) - Comment Date 3/3/2005
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Chuck:
It's not just you.
The problem to my mind is, photography (as such) is so readily available, and cheap, that it is no longer a minority sport.
Remember: These are only my thoughts so no hate mail from other readers please.
For these reasons I returned to large format, and there is something really nice about people stopping to talk to you about your camera.
I tried to like and embrace digital but now the very concept makes me feel quite ill. And if I hear the comment "I'll photoshop that out later" one more time I'm gonna scream.
Once upon a time there was at least a feeling of truth in a photograph now it's just assumed to be a lie.
I think I might turn my hand to the wheel of the potter just to get that sense of self satisfaction back again,
Photoshop that if you can?
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Bryan Steffy
(K=4910) - Comment Date 3/5/2005
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I do remember my first camera, in fact i think its hanging around somewhere, a Kmart "focal" 110 my father gave me on my 6th birthday. Man, i would haul that thing around everywhere taking pictures of bugs and plants and sunsets, and I would wait on pins and needles for the film to return, grainy, horrible quality, no composition. Do I miss the good ol' days....? I miss the energy.
My father bought a Voitlander camera in the sixties while in the military in Germany and shot all sorts of stuff, mainly slides of the country side and we would spend hours and hours talking about the photos. This is where I first gained my taste for the sweetness of photography. I inherited this camera and used it until 1993. Unbelievable, this is the camera for which I learned the usage of an f stop and shutter speed. Do I miss the good ol' days.....? Well, I miss my father. I miss the stories and the hours of time. I miss the the fact that he never did see me grow up. I miss that he never met his grandson. I miss a lot of things about him.
I spent 4 hours in the dark room tonight printing an image I printed a long time ago and I printed it differrently, better I think. It is a photo of my son, he was grumpy.... and I thought as I was in there tonight that wether I am here or not when he is old enough to appriciate photography that this print will be. This legacy of love for the art, and skill will be here and passed on to him.
As I ponder your question, realize that thrill for me now, even though I am young in my professional photog carreer, that I am excited about every image. (even the digital ones) I am thrilled for the discovery that he will have throughout his life looking at my images as well as creating his own. Oh, I miss many things about the past, but I see a positive exclamation point to the future.
Bryan
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Keith Saint
(K=13784) - Comment Date 4/1/2005
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I have grown to understand photography from when I bought my first manual SLR 35mm.
Now I have a 20D and I can easily say I love doing my hobby more than ever, its become a real passion and the buzz I get is unexplainable
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Chuck Freeman
(K=13616) - Comment Date 4/14/2005
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I wished I could afford to buy and operate a view caamera. If you can master that technique THEN you are certainly talented and belong to a very small group. Keep shooting.
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Chuck Freeman
(K=13616) - Comment Date 4/14/2005
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I have seen the camera you spoke of. Many fine cameras have been discontinued sice the early 1970's. Thanks for your enthusiasm
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Pico diGoliardi
(K=540) - Comment Date 4/17/2005
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I have been a photographer since 1966. I turned sixty-years old yesterday. What I regret is the impossibility of looking back at the photographs I make today fifty years from now. As you move on through life, you become more aware of how your work has to live beyond yourself. Will you still be making pictures when you are sixty?
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029 flexfoto
(K=48) - Comment Date 6/27/2005
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I have to say that "The thrill is back!" since I got into digital! :)
Now that I finally have a DSLR, I can use another cliche "Feels like the first time"!
It's sad that Kodak and others will no longer manufacture "traditional" photography supplies. On the other hand, it had a really good run, I enjoyed film, paper, chemistry, etc.. Digital is like having a polaroid everytime you snap (but one that you can manipulate, enhance and print in the size you want).
I have fond memories, but the future is where it's at!
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Chuck Freeman
(K=13616) - Comment Date 6/30/2005
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Pico: A little late in answering your comment on forums. Yes, believe it or not I startrd in about 1966 and still do some now. I will be sixty in August. I have been slowed by two heart attacks, but pick times of day I can best shoot-COOLER WEATHER MOSTLY.
tHANKS
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Roger Williams
(K=86139) - Comment Date 7/1/2005
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Chuck, I don't miss the good old days because for me they've never ended. I still use film, fully manual cameras (RF and SLR) and the most modern thing about them is TTL metering (stopped down, if you can believe that!). The rumours of the death of film have been greatly exaggerated! But it's quite possible that I will still be taking pictures when digital becomes as much fun and gives me the same quality as I get now... in which case I may make the change. But that implies I still won't be "missing" anything. BTW I'm considerably older than you.
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Chuck Freeman
(K=13616) - Comment Date 7/2/2005
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Roger you have a good response. Yes, we have fantastic cameras and I guess if I was cast back into the 60's and 70's I would really miss a lot of "new" opportunities.
I am glad to know there are a few folks as old as I am (lol)
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John Nagy
(K=170) - Comment Date 7/9/2005
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I've been into this crazft for about 4 years now and still can claim a thrill when I see a beautifull image. Personally I believe that the masters we're in the past, allthough one could argue that they we're the first to push the envelope and create or dictate what it is we see today in the shapes, forms, and styles of photography. I don't condone digital photography in the least bit as it's just the next evolutionary stage in this history, from the very beginning the technology has changed from ridiculously large contraptions to the smallest camera phones, but I ask the question now; in its proper format and size, is a striking image any less than just that due to the way the light was captured? Weston, Cunningham, Adams, White Cartier-Bresson used what was most appropriate for themselves and what they we're capturing, if the times have changed then they have changed for a reason, hopefully pushing us into new realms of creativity and thinking while keeping us all in check for the future.
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Brian C. Miller
(K=478) - Comment Date 7/10/2005
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I just had the thrill of developing some 4x5 Techpan a friend gave me. It was in the freezer since 1984.
Oooohhh, what a thrill! To see things which have been lost in the grain of Ilford 100, there it is, clearly, in Techpan! And to think that Kodak went and discontinued this oh so fine film. :(
My camera is a Graflex Super Graphic, Navy surplus. F8 seems to be a real sweet spot on the lens, but the others aren't shabby. Of course, I'm judging by looking at bicycle spokes in a window two blocks away. Twigs on tree branches are clear in other places, too, over three blocks away.
I have two boxes. One was opened, and a few sheets were missing. It was from this that I made my test images. The film is still sweet!!
Chuck, GO EXPLORE YOUR ROOTS!! Get out there and just have some fun. Find things that you think are neat, and photograph them. Here's a good excersice: Go on a walkabout with your camera. An Australian aboriginee walkabout is a journey of spiritual renewal and reconnection. Most people forget to do it. I try to do it everytime I leave the house with the camera.
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