I don't want to be a one-hit wonder
June 17, 2015 4:38 PM Subscribe
I got lucky on my very first time using a camera, and I'm afraid to try again, 'cause I don't think I can come close to getting anything nearly as good.
So, I've never been a person with any interest in taking pictures. Never used a camera at all other than a few times as a child, and a few polaroids back in the 80's. I got an iPhone 5s a few weeks ago, and finally got around to taking the camera out for a spin. I went to the Sculpture Garden at the Walker. Just by accident, it happened to be the 'golden hour', and although many of the pictures were originally too dark, I was able to almost effortlessly figure out how to use the editing tools in the iPhone camera app, and with some light/color adjustments and some judicious cropping, they turned out GREAT. I'm so pleased with them.
I'd like to repeat this fun experience. But I feel intimidated by my own dumb good luck. I just happened to pick a location and a time of day that were pretty much guaranteed to turn out some great pictures.
When you want to take artistic, interesting pictures in the Twin Cities (must be accessible by Metro Transit) where do you go? Are there other places with great public art that won't prevent you from using a camera?
What other kinds of subjects should I be considering? So far, I'm more interested in taking pics of things, places. Not yet confident enough to ask people on the street if I can take a photo.
Any particular photo books you can recommend to help me 'see' interesting pictures? If they are widely available in public libraries, that would be a plus; can't really afford to buy expensive art books right now.
(My home internet is especially flaky this week, and I'm trying not to use up too much data on my phone; so, I may not be back online until tomorrow afternoon or possibly even later. Sorry about that.)
So, I've never been a person with any interest in taking pictures. Never used a camera at all other than a few times as a child, and a few polaroids back in the 80's. I got an iPhone 5s a few weeks ago, and finally got around to taking the camera out for a spin. I went to the Sculpture Garden at the Walker. Just by accident, it happened to be the 'golden hour', and although many of the pictures were originally too dark, I was able to almost effortlessly figure out how to use the editing tools in the iPhone camera app, and with some light/color adjustments and some judicious cropping, they turned out GREAT. I'm so pleased with them.
I'd like to repeat this fun experience. But I feel intimidated by my own dumb good luck. I just happened to pick a location and a time of day that were pretty much guaranteed to turn out some great pictures.
When you want to take artistic, interesting pictures in the Twin Cities (must be accessible by Metro Transit) where do you go? Are there other places with great public art that won't prevent you from using a camera?
What other kinds of subjects should I be considering? So far, I'm more interested in taking pics of things, places. Not yet confident enough to ask people on the street if I can take a photo.
Any particular photo books you can recommend to help me 'see' interesting pictures? If they are widely available in public libraries, that would be a plus; can't really afford to buy expensive art books right now.
(My home internet is especially flaky this week, and I'm trying not to use up too much data on my phone; so, I may not be back online until tomorrow afternoon or possibly even later. Sorry about that.)
The key to taking good pictures is to take LOTS of pictures. Some of them will turn out to be good.
posted by Jacqueline at 5:12 PM on June 17, 2015 [14 favorites]
posted by Jacqueline at 5:12 PM on June 17, 2015 [14 favorites]
Just shoot and have fun. You don't need to take the perfect shot every time and you won't take the perfect shot every time. Half the fun of learning something new is failing and trying again until you get it right. Photography is no different.
Only you know what will be interesting to you. Only take pics that are interesting to you. Just hunt and peck around tumblr for photos that interest you. Often once you find a tumblr you like you can find links to other tumblrs with similar offerings.
But really, if photography is a hobby you want to pursue seriously, you just gotta go out and shoot, whenever, wherever, whatever.
posted by wherever, whatever at 5:19 PM on June 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Only you know what will be interesting to you. Only take pics that are interesting to you. Just hunt and peck around tumblr for photos that interest you. Often once you find a tumblr you like you can find links to other tumblrs with similar offerings.
But really, if photography is a hobby you want to pursue seriously, you just gotta go out and shoot, whenever, wherever, whatever.
posted by wherever, whatever at 5:19 PM on June 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Fort Snelling has some great stuff, including the old (1840s) fort and chapel, some dilapidated buildings, the military cemetery, some crazy 70s architecture, and a couple square miles of marshy land with lakes and islands. It's all light rail accessible from the Fort Snelling stop (have to cross the modern government buildings) or the American Blvd stop (there's a trail into the park). It's where I'd go.
posted by miyabo at 5:25 PM on June 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by miyabo at 5:25 PM on June 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
The old adage was you're lucky if you get one good photo out of a roll of film. Nat Geo had a photo compilation issue that revealed "A photographer shoots 20,000 to 60,000 images on assignment. Of those, perhaps a dozen will see the published light of day."
posted by JackBurden at 5:41 PM on June 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by JackBurden at 5:41 PM on June 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
Best answer: I'm a fan of photographing at moments of change (blooms in spring, first snow, etc.). Any darn park will do. Golden hour is, of course such a phenomena-- the moment dusk is settling in. Dawn's good too. The advent of a storm is a great subject. Lash yourself to a tree! Well, I over-enthuse. But, I think you get my point. Try to bring home the bacon-- a shot that will really evoke what you experienced. If it's darn dry then shoot baked mud. Raining cats and dogs grab an umbrella and a tripod (you'll need a long exposure). See if you can catch the moment the mayflies drop on the local waterways. Migrations. Milestones. Mexican Independence Day parades. Actually street fairs of all sorts are basically like sitting ducks (photographically speaking).
posted by cleroy at 5:51 PM on June 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by cleroy at 5:51 PM on June 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yes, as others have said, just take pictures! You'll start to see what works and what doesn't. Thanks to your phone, you'll always have a camera with you, and thanks to digital imaging you don't have to worry about the cost of "film". Shoot away, shoot everything, try the same object from different angles in different light at different times of the day. Pick something in your back yard and shoot it from the same place every day for a year. Just do something, and you'll start to get a feeling for what you like.
One note: Many people start out taking pictures of places and not people. It's certainly an easier way to start. But you probably have people in your life. Try taking pictures of them. Honestly, in a few years they're the ones you'll value.
posted by clone boulevard at 5:54 PM on June 17, 2015
One note: Many people start out taking pictures of places and not people. It's certainly an easier way to start. But you probably have people in your life. Try taking pictures of them. Honestly, in a few years they're the ones you'll value.
posted by clone boulevard at 5:54 PM on June 17, 2015
Best answer: Hit up the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, or maybe Macalester or a big State U, and check out their libraries. Academic libraries are geared toward special interests and their fine art photography sections are likely to be a bit more robust and better funded than the public library. You may not be able to check anything out, but they should let you browse (YMMV - my art school - CCA in SF, would have let you; I'm pretty sure Harvard cards though).
I guarantee you if you keep taking pictures you'll do it again, and do it better.
I have a BFA in Photography, so I've looked at a lot of books and websites - if you email me what you like taking pics of, or what style of work, or send me some of your pictures, I can make some recommendations. You can make good pictures anytime, anywhere. Check your memail.
posted by jrobin276 at 7:05 PM on June 17, 2015
I guarantee you if you keep taking pictures you'll do it again, and do it better.
I have a BFA in Photography, so I've looked at a lot of books and websites - if you email me what you like taking pics of, or what style of work, or send me some of your pictures, I can make some recommendations. You can make good pictures anytime, anywhere. Check your memail.
posted by jrobin276 at 7:05 PM on June 17, 2015
I just happened to pick a location and a time of day that were pretty much guaranteed to turn out some great pictures.
Bingo- Good pictures are a function of the eye of the photographer, available light, and available subject matter. I once read something to the effect of some of the most famous photographers (Cartier-Bresson, Arbus, Capa) said that only one out of hundreds or a thousand pictures they took was ever truly great. The trick is just to show up and shoot. You've already shown yourself what you are capable of- just give it some more time and effort and you will find your eye.
posted by incolorinred at 7:33 PM on June 17, 2015
Bingo- Good pictures are a function of the eye of the photographer, available light, and available subject matter. I once read something to the effect of some of the most famous photographers (Cartier-Bresson, Arbus, Capa) said that only one out of hundreds or a thousand pictures they took was ever truly great. The trick is just to show up and shoot. You've already shown yourself what you are capable of- just give it some more time and effort and you will find your eye.
posted by incolorinred at 7:33 PM on June 17, 2015
Best answer: A little cliche but: Target Field, Stone Arch Bridge/Mill City museum, the downtown library, skywalk, Minnehaha Falls, The Guthrie....
posted by starman at 8:08 PM on June 17, 2015
posted by starman at 8:08 PM on June 17, 2015
Just go shoot. My photography teacher, who is a career photographer, said yesterday in class that he photographed a dance event last weekend, and he took THREE THOUSAND pics in six hours, and he only really loves 10 photos.
There are lots of websites aimed at improving your photos. Look up basic photography "rules" like rule of thirds, leading lines, natural framing, use of color, symmetry, repetition, the golden ratio, etc etc.
When you develop a good eye, you can take great photos anywhere, not just in "pretty" places of "pretty" things.
posted by missmary6 at 8:14 PM on June 17, 2015
There are lots of websites aimed at improving your photos. Look up basic photography "rules" like rule of thirds, leading lines, natural framing, use of color, symmetry, repetition, the golden ratio, etc etc.
When you develop a good eye, you can take great photos anywhere, not just in "pretty" places of "pretty" things.
posted by missmary6 at 8:14 PM on June 17, 2015
"I just happened to pick a location and a time of day that were pretty much guaranteed to turn out some great pictures."
When people ask me, "What kind of photographer are you?" I typically answer, "An opportunistic one."
If the situation (light, subject, location, whatever) interests me then I'll pull out the camera. If it doesn't, I won't. I feel no pressure to produce images on a regular basis, and I only publish the best of the best.
So what I'm sayin' here is that if you enjoy the act of shooting, and you have the patience to come home, look at all your images and make a conscious effort to decode which ones work and why, then you're farther along the path than most people ever get. And if nothing you took that day really sings, then you're under no obligation to share it with anyone. What's good for you, though, is to ask yourself, "Why didn't these images work?" In short order you'll have a list of things that work for you - the light at X time of day, standing Y distance from your subject, only shooting from ground level ... I don't know what those will be, but you'll figure it out.
Chances are your public library has some great books on composition. Just flipping through them will probably give you ideas, and having a basic understanding of what makes a good photo can't hurt.
I can count on one hand the number of times I've asked strangers their permission to take a photo. It's a stressful thing to do, and you're under no obligation to do it. If I were in your shoes I'd let it drift until whatever time it is where you think, "Okay, this has to be my next step if I really want to grow as a photographer." Maybe you'll never get there. There's no set path.
But most importantly: just go have fun. If you never get any good shots, well, at least you walked around and got some exercise. And if you do get good shots just think about what made them good and hold those ideas in mind next time you pick up the camera.
posted by komara at 9:52 PM on June 17, 2015
When people ask me, "What kind of photographer are you?" I typically answer, "An opportunistic one."
If the situation (light, subject, location, whatever) interests me then I'll pull out the camera. If it doesn't, I won't. I feel no pressure to produce images on a regular basis, and I only publish the best of the best.
So what I'm sayin' here is that if you enjoy the act of shooting, and you have the patience to come home, look at all your images and make a conscious effort to decode which ones work and why, then you're farther along the path than most people ever get. And if nothing you took that day really sings, then you're under no obligation to share it with anyone. What's good for you, though, is to ask yourself, "Why didn't these images work?" In short order you'll have a list of things that work for you - the light at X time of day, standing Y distance from your subject, only shooting from ground level ... I don't know what those will be, but you'll figure it out.
Chances are your public library has some great books on composition. Just flipping through them will probably give you ideas, and having a basic understanding of what makes a good photo can't hurt.
I can count on one hand the number of times I've asked strangers their permission to take a photo. It's a stressful thing to do, and you're under no obligation to do it. If I were in your shoes I'd let it drift until whatever time it is where you think, "Okay, this has to be my next step if I really want to grow as a photographer." Maybe you'll never get there. There's no set path.
But most importantly: just go have fun. If you never get any good shots, well, at least you walked around and got some exercise. And if you do get good shots just think about what made them good and hold those ideas in mind next time you pick up the camera.
posted by komara at 9:52 PM on June 17, 2015
Thirdeconding taking lots of pictures. The trick is to push through the awkward lull when you do that, don't get a lot of very good pictures, and give up.
I know several very, very good photographers. They take so many freaking pictures. It's a lot like going to the gym, you just have to get into the habit of taking lots of pictures. Every day, even. Or at least saying "i'm going to take a bunch of pictures 3 days this week" and then actually doing it.
It's a lot like being a beastly guitar player. Most of the people who are just did that. Your photography muscle needs to get buff, and that takes lots of reps.
The other advice here is good, but seriously, the most important thing is just taking lots of pictures.
And not looking at them until you get home.
posted by emptythought at 4:36 AM on June 18, 2015
I know several very, very good photographers. They take so many freaking pictures. It's a lot like going to the gym, you just have to get into the habit of taking lots of pictures. Every day, even. Or at least saying "i'm going to take a bunch of pictures 3 days this week" and then actually doing it.
It's a lot like being a beastly guitar player. Most of the people who are just did that. Your photography muscle needs to get buff, and that takes lots of reps.
The other advice here is good, but seriously, the most important thing is just taking lots of pictures.
And not looking at them until you get home.
posted by emptythought at 4:36 AM on June 18, 2015
Nthing taking tons and tons of pictures, anytime anywhere.
Practically speaking, try using some of the camera's built-in features, like HDR and the grid. Shoot one subject several ways, lining up the grid horizontally on some shots and vertically on others. Then--after you're done, not in the moment--look at which ones worked and try to determine why (e.g., the lamppost was perfectly vertical, but it threw everything else off). You'll gradually get an eye for which angles work best.
The grid also serves as a reminder of the rule of thirds, IME.
Don't feel like it's somehow cheating to use these tools. Professional photographers use loads of tools to get the right exposure for the lighting, etc.
If you have opportunities to photograph friends and family, do it! It's easy to switch off the sound on a 5s. Doing so makes for better candids, because people look more natural when they don't hear that faux shutter sound 20 times in succession.
As others have said, just have fun! You'll get some gems in there if you keep at it.
posted by whoiam at 6:30 AM on June 18, 2015
Practically speaking, try using some of the camera's built-in features, like HDR and the grid. Shoot one subject several ways, lining up the grid horizontally on some shots and vertically on others. Then--after you're done, not in the moment--look at which ones worked and try to determine why (e.g., the lamppost was perfectly vertical, but it threw everything else off). You'll gradually get an eye for which angles work best.
The grid also serves as a reminder of the rule of thirds, IME.
Don't feel like it's somehow cheating to use these tools. Professional photographers use loads of tools to get the right exposure for the lighting, etc.
If you have opportunities to photograph friends and family, do it! It's easy to switch off the sound on a 5s. Doing so makes for better candids, because people look more natural when they don't hear that faux shutter sound 20 times in succession.
As others have said, just have fun! You'll get some gems in there if you keep at it.
posted by whoiam at 6:30 AM on June 18, 2015
Best answer: Get onto Instagram and search for #igerstwincities (instagrammers Twin Cities). Lots of great photographers and location ideas on there, and if they're anything like the group on #igerstoronto they will have super-fun helpful photography meet-ups.
posted by heatherann at 10:23 AM on June 18, 2015
posted by heatherann at 10:23 AM on June 18, 2015
Marsha56, I taught college photography for 23 years and have been a photographer for many decades. I would say my successful to shooting ratio is about 1 out of 10. So, about 10% of the photos I take are good in my opinion. That percentage isn't odd. So, give yourself a break and don't worry about your success. Just have fun and when you look at the images you've taken, think about what you like and what you don't about each image. That's how you learn and that's how you start to increase that percentage. ;-)
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 11:19 AM on June 18, 2015
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 11:19 AM on June 18, 2015
Yup, keep shooting. An under-valued photography skill, in my opinion, is choosing the good ones. It sometimes helps to leave some time in between taking them and editing, so you're looking more at the image in front of you, rather than your memory of the experience. I do some professional photography and editing. I can reliably churn out a set of technically competent and compositionally pleasing images on demand, but as others have noted, it's one in a hundred or couple hundred (or more) that are GOOD.
posted by jeweled accumulation at 11:50 AM on June 18, 2015
posted by jeweled accumulation at 11:50 AM on June 18, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks so much for all the help and encouragement.
I especially liked all the specific suggestions: Fort Snelling, street fairs, parades, changing seasons, academic libraries for book browsing, and igerstwincities too.
If you have more ideas, would love to hear them too.
Truly, thanks to everyone.
posted by marsha56 at 1:28 PM on June 18, 2015
I especially liked all the specific suggestions: Fort Snelling, street fairs, parades, changing seasons, academic libraries for book browsing, and igerstwincities too.
If you have more ideas, would love to hear them too.
Truly, thanks to everyone.
posted by marsha56 at 1:28 PM on June 18, 2015
Best answer: Oh, totally forgot, but the Minnesota Photography Club page on Facebook has many posts a day of pictures from around MN. It ranges from professional photojournalists, to weekend wedding photographers, to random people with cell phones. Also a good place to ask for advice (although it's not always reliable, someone always pops in to tell a beginner to go buy a $12,000 lens...).
posted by miyabo at 1:55 PM on June 22, 2015
posted by miyabo at 1:55 PM on June 22, 2015
Response by poster: I've been trying to take at least one shot a day, and taking little photo jaunts whenever I can. When I shoot, I do take many snaps. Monday I took the Henn. Ave bridge over to Nicollet Island. Got some okay pics. Nothing really satisfactory. But Tuesday, I mostly hung around the Nicollet Mall. It was a beautiful day, and I got a lot of pics that I'm very pleased with.
So far I'm definitely over my fear of trying again, and am having lots of fun. Thanks again to EVERYONE for all your help and encouragement! AskMe rocks again!
posted by marsha56 at 12:13 AM on June 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
So far I'm definitely over my fear of trying again, and am having lots of fun. Thanks again to EVERYONE for all your help and encouragement! AskMe rocks again!
posted by marsha56 at 12:13 AM on June 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Oh, and if you're interested in checking them out - I've added several photo albums to my Facebook page, specifically the ones titled: Sculpture Garden; Miscellaneous; Hennepin Ave bridge; and Minneapolis. I've set them to be public; so long as you're signed in to Facebook, you should be able to see my photo albums.
My facebook page is linked on my profile page.
If you want to take a peek, my sincerest apologies if I've way oversold these pictures. It's just the first time in my life, I've had the opportunity to take pictures that I don't hate.
posted by marsha56 at 3:14 PM on June 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
My facebook page is linked on my profile page.
If you want to take a peek, my sincerest apologies if I've way oversold these pictures. It's just the first time in my life, I've had the opportunity to take pictures that I don't hate.
posted by marsha56 at 3:14 PM on June 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
I know one thing that flickr does is have themes where people will take/share pictures relating to it. The current one is umbrellas. Participating in something like that would be a good way to practice and learn to take photos of different subjects.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 5:10 PM on June 17, 2015