I've taken pictures for most of my life, got my first camera probably 35 years ago and I took photo's on holiday, hiking and just goofing off fishing or some such. I would then look at them and enjoy them.
Then around 12 years ago I became a "photographer", I got serious, learned the technical side and got a "proper" camera. I learned exposure and white balance, composition and focus... and it has ruined photographs for me!
Now when I look at pictures I don't see the subject, I see the out of focus, the camera shake.. the blown highlights, the distracting back grounds! It got so bad 3 years ago i found I would pull out my gear on vacation, look through the viewfinder, decide the light was terrible and pack it away, no picture taken.
2 years ago I bought a pocket camera, short zoom, 12mp, no viewfinder. It's my snapshot / vacation camera, if the light isn't right for me to be a photographer, I pull that out and be a tourist! I take the shot even if it will be "bad" to my photographer's eye, at least it reminds me where I have been!
I think all of us as "photographers" can benefit from stopping looking at the photograph and just admire the damn view every now and again!
Then around 12 years ago I became a "photographer", I got serious, learned the technical side and got a "proper" camera. I learned exposure and white balance, composition and focus... and it has ruined photographs for me!
Now when I look at pictures I don't see the subject, I see the out of focus, the camera shake.. the blown highlights, the distracting back grounds! It got so bad 3 years ago i found I would pull out my gear on vacation, look through the viewfinder, decide the light was terrible and pack it away, no picture taken.
2 years ago I bought a pocket camera, short zoom, 12mp, no viewfinder. It's my snapshot / vacation camera, if the light isn't right for me to be a photographer, I pull that out and be a tourist! I take the shot even if it will be "bad" to my photographer's eye, at least it reminds me where I have been!
I think all of us as "photographers" can benefit from stopping looking at the photograph and just admire the damn view every now and again!