Things I've learned from 365 blogging...

[vawitt]

The point of the 365 photos in 2009 challenge, for me, was to use my camera more often, educate and open my "photography" eye, and learn about my camera settings. So far, so good!

I've gotten a much greater appreciation for clouds in the sky. I used to want a hard, blue sky but now I realize clouds are a lot more interesting, generally.

I figured out how to use the Manual settings on my camera and am experimenting with different shutter speeds and apertures. I'm pretty much weaned off Scenes.

What are you all learning from your blogging adventures?

[klsbear]

I'm slowly dipping my toes into the waters of manual settings. I never used scenes but usually rely on Program mode - now slowly working towards AV priority or full manual on more occasions.

I've learned more about my style - started to see some common compositions I gravitate towards.

I'm starting to learn more about post-processing too (wish I had more time to explore that) and I'm starting to explore setting up indoor shots in a lightbox.

I also took the leap and posted some items on a few micro-stock sites. Still need to get 2 more shots accepted for istockphoto, but I have sold a few on Shutterstock, and have some on Dreamstime and Fotolia too. I want to work towards a bigger portfolio now.

[efarnstrom]

I couldn't even imagine what was in store for me when I first started. I just wanted to see if I could actually keep my camera out long enough to take photos regularly. I wanted to then...and still want to now...learn more about my camera. I have become acquainted with everything but the AV/TV/Manual. I just have not been able to retain the knowledge after I research those settings. Maybe by the end of the year I will be successful in those areas.

Another thing I have learned is how time consuming this project is. I don't take one photo; I take a hundred. Then maybe I get a couple of good ones. I know...my DS said that is the norm for photographers!:p Alas, I can't get rid of the ones that do not meet my high standards. I now have 2Tb of hard drive space for my photos and backups. I have met my computer's limit on how many USBs can be connected to it.:(

Back to 'seeing': I carry a list with me with the themes I have used deleted. Then I try to visualize what I see with what I can use as a theme. If you have seen my blog, you know I do postings in a series. I think I exceeded my own expectations from a day sailing on San Francisco Bay: 30 themes!:eek: Well, I could squeeze out a couple of more, but I'll give it a rest at the end of the month.

[Chesney]

I finally am using the manual mode in most of my endeavors - when I started this blog I was an "auto" shooter. I have really also learned to open my eyes, I am seeing everything in a different light. My mind is constantly thinking "would this make a cool pic", as my husband says, I am obsessed! :)

[vawitt]

Congrats, Karen! Wonderful news on your micro-stock submissions!!

I'm slowly dipping my toes into the waters of manual settings. I never used scenes but usually rely on Program mode - now slowly working towards AV priority or full manual on more occasions.

I've learned more about my style - started to see some common compositions I gravitate towards.

I'm starting to learn more about post-processing too (wish I had more time to explore that) and I'm starting to explore setting up indoor shots in a lightbox.

I also took the leap and posted some items on a few micro-stock sites. Still need to get 2 more shots accepted for istockphoto, but I have sold a few on Shutterstock, and have some on Dreamstime and Fotolia too. I want to work towards a bigger portfolio now.

[vawitt]

Hi, Es. Sounds like you need a USB hub, so you can connect more EHD! :)

30 themes from a one-day trip? I won't feel so bad anymore, using my summer vacation for a few weeks! :eek::D

I couldn't even imagine what was in store for me when I first started. I just wanted to see if I could actually keep my camera out long enough to take photos regularly. I wanted to then...and still want to now...learn more about my camera. I have become acquainted with everything but the AV/TV/Manual. I just have not been able to retain the knowledge after I research those settings. Maybe by the end of the year I will be successful in those areas.

Alas, I can't get rid of the ones that do not meet my high standards. I now have 2Tb of hard drive space for my photos and backups. I have met my computer's limit on how many USBs can be connected to it.:(

Back to 'seeing': I carry a list with me with the themes I have used deleted. Then I try to visualize what I see with what I can use as a theme. If you have seen my blog, you know I do postings in a series. I think I exceeded my own expectations from a day sailing on San Francisco Bay: 30 themes! Well, I could squeeze out a couple of more, but I'll give it a rest at the end of the month.

[vawitt]

You have so many awesome photos...I think your eyes are WIDE open! :)

I finally am using the manual mode in most of my endeavors - when I started this blog I was an "auto" shooter. I have really also learned to open my eyes, I am seeing everything in a different light. My mind is constantly thinking "would this make a cool pic", as my husband says, I am obsessed! :)

[Chesney]

Look who is talking, I always look forward to seeing what you will post next!

You have so many awesome photos...I think your eyes are WIDE open! :)

[Danudin]

Other than the Photo stuff I also learned that there are so many really good people out there in Challenge Land that I may have to re-think my bias that the only good people are in Australia. This challenge has been all I hoped and more for the photography Lessons, But Processing, I'm with Es, too much with all this posting going on. Haven't tried to develop a style just want interest and if I can find it a fun or quirky angle. Hope everyone isn't sick of my jibes yet cause I also have fun just being me. Best thing to happen to me in years, though Sally may disagree.
Ron

[vawitt]

Ron, your good-natured good humor and razor-sharp (hey...that's a theme!) wit are always welcome! I always get a chuckle when you visit my blog. Glad you are having so much fun with it all! I'm learning a LOT about your neck of the woods from your entertaining and informative posts.

Cheers!

[efarnstrom]

Ron, your good-natured good humor and razor-sharp (hey...that's a theme!) wit are always welcome! I always get a chuckle when you visit my blog. Glad you are having so much fun with it all!

Isn't that the truth!:D

I am always looking at his posts on everyones blogs.....

[Chesney]

Ron, you definitely keep everyone on their toes! :)

[mljrbg]

This experience is more than I ever hoped it would be. I have learned so much about composition and taking photographs. Now I am always looking around to see where there is a good photo op.

My camera and I are inseperable as it is velcroed to my hip!! Not to mention the wonderful people I have met in Blogland and the incredible virtual tours of the world especially Ron's corner of the world.

I have always taken my pics on auto and as of tomorrow am starting manual...maybe you want to skip my blog till I get the hang of it!!

[vawitt]

Good luck on manual! The beauty of digi is....if it's too dark, blown out, crooked, blurry, a shot of your foot instead of the flower...who cares? Just delete it! Or 'shop it! :D

[Danudin]

I have always taken my pics on auto and as of tomorrow am starting manual...maybe you want to skip my blog till I get the hang of it!!

Mary Lou, great decision to ditch Auto (Unless you really have to have a photo that works - don't forget that tip).
But unless you are the type to jump in feet first (I am).
Then I suggest that you try the aperture mode (A) or shutter mode (S) first then all you have to do is concentrate on what aperture to use to get your desired effect, the camera takes care of the shutter, or vice versa.
Learn what the camera does with those settings and then once you have learned what the camera can teach you, jump into manual and make your own mistakes.

My reason for saying this is that I recently put my camera into be serviced and the tech (Who surprisingly knows more about cameras than I do) suggested that I might try (A) mode to give me a better success rate with my shots, he thought (A) as opposed to (S) as it would help me understand DOF a lot better and it has. It was also he who said bluntly if you just have to have that shot and are scared that it won't come out just right, switch to Auto take a snap then back to A or M or what ever, - You Have A SHOT.

Not trying to dissuade you from manual but I have been despairing of ever being able to take a shot with confidence that -One Shot Will Do It- I take hundreds then pick the one, two or fifty that work and ditch the rest, Thank Heavens it isn't FILM.
Hope I have helped Just a Little

Ron

[Chesney]

Ron is right, Mary Lou, I have been shooting in Aperture or shutter mode, and watched what the camera did to compensate and learned tons, I am now shooting mostly manual and feeling a lot better about it.

For once, follow Ron's advise! :)

[Danudin]

Ron is right, Mary Lou, I have been shooting in Aperture or shutter mode, and watched what the camera did to compensate and learned tons, I am now shooting mostly manual and feeling a lot better about it.

For once, follow Ron's advise! :)

Cheeky young Whipper Snipper (A Grass cutting implement in Australia) I find it hard to believe Tammy has learned anything - I thought She KNEW IT ALL from the day she was born, Talk about backhanded compliments!

Ron LOL

[Chesney]

Cheeky young Whipper Snipper (A Grass cutting implement in Australia) I find it hard to believe Tammy has learned anything - I thought She KNEW IT ALL from the day she was born, Talk about backhanded compliments!

Ron LOL


Ah Ron, I am glad you have learned what my husband already knows........TAMMY IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!

[klsbear]

Well as the saying goes, there are two theories to arguing with women... neither of them works.

[alibony]

Before this challenge, I was using mostly Program mode, but now I'm using Av (aperture) mode and Tv (shutter speed) mode, too. I also learned how to take macros and get bokeh in photos.

I realized how much I LOVE photography - now I'm looking for photos everywhere. My camera goes EVERYWHERE with me.

I still have a lot to learn and want to try using Manual mode more. Also, I haven't gotten the hang of indoor shots and night shots yet. It will take me awhile to do people shots, too. I'm usually too solitary to ask - not easy for me to engage in conversation with strangers.

My best learning is the experience if getting to know what a great bunch of people are sharing the challenge with me and contributing to this forum. Before this, I was pretty much a lurker here - I'm a happy introvert. Now I'm just as happy interacting with all of you!

:) Karen

[Chesney]

Well as the saying goes, there are two theories to arguing with women... neither of them works.

Now this I love....:)

[Chesney]

Before this challenge, I was using mostly Program mode, but now I'm using Av (aperture) mode and Tv (shutter speed) mode, too. I also learned how to take macros and get bokeh in photos.

I realized how much I LOVE photography - now I'm looking for photos everywhere. My camera goes EVERYWHERE with me.

I still have a lot to learn and want to try using Manual mode more. Also, I haven't gotten the hang of indoor shots and night shots yet. It will take me awhile to do people shots, too. I'm usually too solitary to ask - not easy for me to engage in conversation with strangers.

My best learning is the experience if getting to know what a great bunch of people are sharing the challenge with me and contributing to this forum. Before this, I was pretty much a lurker here - I'm a happy introvert. Now I'm just as happy interacting with all of you!

:) Karen

I'm afraid this blog monster has created a bunch of obsessive photographers! LOL I agree that this experience has introduced me to a whole group of fun people who share my passion! How much more fun could this be?

[mljrbg]

Thanks Ron for the advice. I guess I have a couple of corrections to make.

About 4 months ago someone told me to shoot in S mode so I have gone between auto and S not knowing why I was doing it. So I really haven't learned anythig!! I should have said I am going to start in A mode as strongly advised by several people. The difference now is I am going to pay attention and hopefully learn how to operate my camera properly!!

[Danudin]

Thanks Ron for the advice. I guess I have a couple of corrections to make.

About 4 months ago someone told me to shoot in S mode so I have gone between auto and S not knowing why I was doing it. So I really haven't learned anythig!! I should have said I am going to start in A mode as strongly advised by several people. The difference now is I am going to pay attention and hopefully learn how to operate my camera properly!!

Above all else Mary Lou, go out and take photos then enjoy them as well as the taking, don't get hung up on the technicalities, no body wants to be like Tammy and Just KNOW EVERYTHING, some of us just enjoy life, as foe Karen, (Alibony not klsbear -KS is sounding more like a hen-pecked husband every day) as I saw saying, to have someone as talented as Karen A say she is experimenting with things too makes me feel strong because, I think I would give my entire fortune to be one fiftieth as talented as her! (Do you think she would take $1.38 and a bottlecap?)

Enjoying is what it is all about. To me at least.
Ron

[kim2900]

I have tremendous respect for those of you who manage to keep up with their blogs and post on a regular basis! I found it to be so much harder than I ever imagined. And I'm truly in awe of those of you who not only post to their own blogs but find time to visit everyone else's site and make comments.

You guys are awesome!

[vawitt]

Ditto! I didn't think it would be "all that hard" back in January, when I had 10 ideas for every theme...now I feel like I have 10 themes and only one idea (ha). Don't know what I'll do when my vacation photos quit fitting the theme list...

Special kudos to those who comment so frequently. It REALLY is a motivator ... so THANKS!! I'm trying to get back into the commenting mode after being gone so long. I really enjoy looking at all the interpretations, and life in other parts of the world. It's still a big adventure!