Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society

How much fun are you having with your photography...?

At the Committee Meeting on Monday John said that I seem to be having fun with my photography again. And I am! I went through a phase over the last two years where I hardly used my camera gear at all. I'd just got a bit bored with it all.

I'm happy to report that my interest in photography has now been renewed with a passion and I'm having a blast with it. I've been practising photography for 15 years and am currently trying some new things and loving the results. So, what have I been upto in the past few weeks...

- worked with an internationally published professional glamour model (who was utterly incredible)
- been practising and improving my headshot photography (an area that I want to master)
- been experimenting with natural light boudoir / glamour (shooting at f/2.8 and high ISO)
- practised some new post-processing techniques (for eyes, skin, facial sculpting)
- launched a new website and blog
- taken some of my best and favourite photographs ever!!


The forum has been a bit quiet lately, so why not contribute to this thread by telling us what have you done recently to put some fun back into your photography?

I get passions about photography and become totally absorbed.

The recent shoot inside the disused chapels in Atherton cemetrey was just the sort of thing I like - a place where nobody goes, where secrets are revealed, what lies behind locked doors....I could spend hours finding things to shoot in a place like that.

So I move from project to project, from passion to passion.....photography is always fun!

Doing a 365 project I go from highs of loving photography to lows of wanting to throw my camera in the canal almost weekly. However, the highs definitely outweigh the lows, and the lows are really only brought about by wanting to challenge myself and not really measuring up on occasion. I have had lots of fun, I like exploring new places and the camera always adds an extra dimension to every day.

John, you really must (if you haven't already) try and get down to London to wander round the Magnificent Seven cemeteries. I went to Brompton this last weekend, and it was astounding. Pulling back a piece of ivy to read an obscured name and discovering you're at the grave of a russian princess, wandering through vast grounds that only 100 or so years ago would have been full of visiting families but has now been left to nature's whims is a great experience. If I hadn't had my daughter with me there's a good chance I'd have still been there

Since I got my camera just over 16 months ago I have had so much enjoyment. It was bought for me by my late partner - Gerry - who decided I would need another hobby when he was no longer here, and how right he was! He knew that I was a lover of gadgets and a DSLR has lots of buttons to push!

Little did I know what was involved, but what a pleasurable learning curve it s proving to be. Frustrating as well sometimes, but the challenges outweigh the frustration. Since getting Element 10 - the challenges have increased massively- and -more buttons to play with. I love the fact that I can readily combine photography with my other hobbies, card making and crown green bowls.

My family have also bought me a National Trust Membership so the incentive to get out and about is there as well. Following a wonderful holiday in Italy and the South of France, staying with my cousin, I made her a photobook of all the places we visited and have the pleasure of knowing that it will provide her with some happy memories. I have recently raised my head above the parapet and submitted a couple of shots for critique - it;s one of the best ways to learn. So, despite the fact that Gerry is no longer here, he found a way for me to make new friends at ADAPs - and to continuing creating new and lasting memories. My photos have improved (a little) but good, bad or indifferent it IS a lot of fun.

Jan

Some good responses so far... Thanks!

Anyone else...?

Paul I styill think I am in my rutt .. I suffered a lot in the last few years and now things are looking up in my personal life it currently does not dove tail into my photography life (one reason or another) .. I am hioping the Fiance's daughter does take up the gauntlet of A-Level Photography cos we can go out and shoot things .. I know I am my own worse enemy when it comes to getting out the house and cashflow (for petrol more than gadgets) ... I just feel so frustrated with my photography recently ... glad your back in your groove though I just hope I find mine soon too

I am having loads more fun and getting out there and shooting since I met Ann (Watson) at ADAPS and we sat together en route to Beamish and discovered that we had lots to talk about as well as a shared interest.

We plan ahead and designate photography days to make sure that we don't just talk about it

I recommend getting yourself a togging buddy to everyone.

I agree with Pauline - a togging buddy is what everyone needs.

I used to drag my hubby out now and then to various places, so I could take photos, but it's not the same as you know they are there under some sufferance and get a little bored when you are trying out different settings or points of view for very similar photos lol!

Everyone needs a good buddy to go out and about with and I think me and Pauline are lucky to have met each other and to find a couple of good clubs to meet up with like minded people!

Here's to a new year ahead, new and old friends and plenty of photo opportunities!

Best wishes,

Ann

Brian wrote: I just feel so frustrated with my photography recently ... glad your back in your groove though I just hope I find mine soon too

I've gone through lots of periods like that Brian. Lately, I'm photographing who I want when I want and on my own terms and am enjoying the buzz again.

I'm sure you'll get there too... Ask yourself, what do you need to do/change to make it happen?

I can fully sympathise with Brian and the rut that you sometimes find yourself in with your photography. This past year has been like a gap year for me. I think i have been out with my camera less than a dozen times.
In fact I just checked and apart from one club trip to Whitby, and a visit to Astley on a club outing I have been out deliberately with my camera on only three other occasions. ( Thats really bad ! ) and one of those was a wedding!!
Lots of reasons for this lethargy on my part and not least was, like Brian mentioned, being hindered by the cost of actually going anywhere worth going. Single parent budgets don't always stretch that far.

So you would think that some nasty toerag(s) coming into my house and depriving me off ALL my camera equipment, (and some belonging to other people ), wouldn't be seen as that much of a loss. But it is surprising how much you can miss material things only when they are gone. The number of occasions over this last two weeks when I wished I had a camera with me has been an eye opener.
Now the insurance looks like it is coming through with the goods and in the next few weeks I am looking forwards to receiving a complete new outfit, with camera, lenses, flashgun and all the other paraphenalia coming at once.
And I can't wait.
I have been browsing the internet reading reviews of the different possibilities on offer and I still haven't a clue which way i will go model wise, but I am really looking forward to the day when I get to pile it all into my cheap runaround, ( having dumped the 20 miles a gallon monster for a much more sensible 50 miles a gallon deisel powered matchbox), and head off once again with my head full of creative possibilities.
( do you want me to call for you Brian? ).

Look for my next thread when I will be asking for advise on which model of camera to plump for, as I am not a technophile, I don't usually follow trends and to be honest don't know my EOS from my Lumix when it comes to buying cameras. I tend to have always used what was dropped in my lap and just got on with it.

Keith.

Good post Keith.
Last year was my 'gap year', so things can only get better.

Hi Folks,
The last 8 months have been an enforced break from photography and attending the club due to health problems, unlike Keith who is waiting to replace his photography equipment I am waiting to go into hospital for a complete Hip replacement which hopefully will be early in the new year, I have missed a trip to go with my Norwegian friends to photograph the polar bears on the island of Svalberg and Spitsbergen in February which we had planned early this year, to say I am gutted about missing this trip is putting it mildly,
Can't wait to get my new hip and getting out and about again,
Best wishes to everyone,
Not having much fun at present,
Bert.

Hope you have a speedy recovery in the New Year Bert, we'll be pleased to see you back in circulation!

Best wishes to you Bert.

Hi Bert

Sorry to hear about you having to miss your trip, I know how much you enjoy these holidays and you always come back with some amazing pictures. Good luck with your operation in the new year, I'm sure it will go well and you will be back to your old self in no time at all. Take it easy and we'll see you soon.

Lots of Love

Tracey x