I think it's safe to say that we've all been there: an artistic rut.
You wonder why some of your current images, or current works don't receive a lot of attention when you post them, or there is something about the last few times you went out to shoot that you just did not like your own work. You might feel that you have lost your A game, so-to-speak.
I've personally gone through this many times--one time I felt so bad about my what I was creating, I almost quit photography all together.
I was sharing my frustrations with a friend of mine years ago in the darkroom. She told me I needed to get back on track, forget my frustrations and look at where I stared out and compare that to where I currently stand as a photographer. So I took her advice, looked at old proof sheets and endless prints I took when I first picked up an SLR: and a smile crossed my face. I realized looking at my older work and comparing it to what was current, that I have learned a great deal since then.
I asked our members here at *Photo--Assignment to do the same thing: look at some of your first images and some of your most recent images to see your learning curve and to share that with others here on DA. I think there is a lot to learn here and if your in a rut, maybe this is what you need to put the wind back in your sail.
Feel free to share your own "Where I'm at Where I've been" in the comments below!
Enjoy!


Admin



~SadisticIceCream

Older:


Recent:


Most of my first pictures were snapshots taken with my digital camera. I didn't put much thought into composition or mood, but after I took my first film photography class, I learned why these elements were important. Plus, working with film, you need to be taking the best shots you can -- you can't just delete the bad ones right away, so it requires more consideration and planning.


~FrancescaTognetti

where I've been: (2006)


where I'm at: (2009)



~xianlove

Older


Recent


2 years ago, I'd only shoot in B&W cause it was a "safer zone" (and contrast almost cured every picture problem) but I've learned not everything can be accurately expressed in B&W. one should have fun and experiment in color, which is harder to master but definitely fun and lively. Never be afraid to mess up and try something new.


~uin

My first is a long exposure taken almost 2 years ago:

Back then I had SOME understanding of shutter speed....but that's about all. So it's pretty heavily edited. Was my most popular deviation for ages, although I never really liked the end result.
I've learn't the majority of what I know now through dA, & not only do I know what ISO, RAW, F Stop, ND filters etc are (not to mention what can be done in Photoshop & Lightroom). I have a good understanding how to use each of these to my advantage.

I was lucky enough to have a storm pass directly over my apartment last night. Once the thunder started shaking my apartment. I grabbed my camera, tripod, filters, remote & got this on the third shot:



It has since been featured in the National Newspaper (NZ Herald), & a couple of regional papers too

Still edited a little, but taken much better


=GeorgiaPeaches

Old:



New:




The first photo is from February, 2007. The other was taken June 2009. Putting them side by side, I can see that I've learned a lot about composition, light, and color. I've realized that just having a beautiful subject does not make a fantastic photo, it takes more effort and work than that.


~theoriginalmoody

Where I've been:


And where I'm now:


From my knowledge - by the time, I learn a little about composition, lightening, and for me, the best knowledge is that there's no need to shot everything, so now I think more before making a shot.
But the biggest change is my D-SLR, it gives me more options to shot things than my old (but not bad!) ultrazoom.


~curLy-babe

that's from 2006 when i was obsessed with auto-portraits... i still love those colours but i clearly can see the lack of message, essence and any kind of knowledge in photography.

this one is from 2009,in June. I've learned a few techniques...i know more...i can do some conceptual photography. and i guess i see the importance of also post-processing.


*chaekang

year 2007

few days ago.

A huge difference when it comes to framing and composition. I used to just point my camera downwards but now I think first before shooting and also look for a different angle.


~rjopal

--->

The time difference is only 2 months, because that's approximately when I took interest in photography. I've already learned a LOT in these few months. I've learned that just clicking away is the not the best policy - carefully positioning myself and the camera according to the lighting & subject of my photo is. And I've picked up a few tricks with the camera, too.


=tleach0608

Older:


Newer:


I've spent a lot of time both getting to know all the buttons and capabilities camera, as well as doing a lot of browsing through dA to see other successful photographers and how they frame and compose their shots. And also, almost most importantly, I have found that RAW is my friend, I am no longer afraid of it!


~halloween-muffin

First~



Most Recent~
(this has a little editing: Grayscale and more Contrast...)


I think i have improved, because i have found more interest in the subject of photography. i have learned more about lighting, and placement, and such. Although, i cannot explain, i have learned a lot. :]


~Riannia

Old

Recent

The first is from when I knew nothing about photography, I just snapped pictures without thinking. Several years later, I have learned about proper lighting, creating interest in composition through angles and lines, as well as editing techniques, and also trying to express an idea instead of just taking pictures without direction.


~icefirechan

Older


Newer


What I've learned: If you change your perspective on things, you can get better shots sometimes. Also, remember to keep a tripod handy cause you'll never know when you'll need it.


~Jahootabegajulie

I'm sticking to just my film photos, which is what I've been working the hardest on

Where i was!


Where I am!


I've just been working with film for a year, but i think I've made it pretty far, and have places to go


~juliekoesmarno

I thought it'd be easy to do this, but it took my a good couple of hours to decide which ones are good examples

Here's my "learning curve" story.



I took this picture about 2 years ago as a practice run. Flowers seemed to be the easiest one to take pictures of. In actual fact, it's not true (found out about this after looking through dA galleries).



I have attempted many times to take pictures of flowers, both fake and real ones. This version, taken a month ago, is slightly improved because of the composition, background and colour.

To me it's still hard to take good memorable picture of flowers. There is definitely much more room for me to improve for sure.


=Moowna

This is one of my first photos, taken in September 2007:



I just started getting interested in photography, but didn't know anything about it yet. And well, it shows
Now, not even two years later, I can definitely see improvement in my photography. I mostly shoot nature (flora & fauna), and since the old photo was of a cat, here's a recent one of a cat for comparison:



Do I have any helpful tips? Always be open to learning new things, ask for critique, never give up and always keep trying. Once you stop trying new things and aren't open for critique/suggestions, you won't learn anything new and thus you won't improve!


~mourningair

One of my first photos that I took at a dance performance in 2005:


A more recent one:


During this time, I've become more and more interested in telling stories with my photos and not just capturing a nice scene when I see it. I've also learn to pay more attention to composition and other elements that make a good photo.


~Ziolo

Old one
More recent

'Tree' is one of my earliest photos, taken in 2006. The sky is overexposed, the whole photo is blured and, what is the most important: it's just boring, without any hidden message behind it. There is just nothing unusual.
Even if 'Wanna buy?' isn't one of my newest photos (taken in 2008), I think that my progress is clearly visible. It is relatively technically correct and contains some kind of message, what is the most important in photos like this one.
Between those two photos is only 2years gap, but I think it is enough to wake up to the fact that there is no point in taking photos which are not showing us and the way we see and understand the world


*SugarCoatedPortraits

Where I'm at


Where I've been


What I've learned: I've learned to embrace color, the power of the Lomo effect [link] and just how important the curve and hue/saturation tools are.
But my most important lesson is to have fun, and not make photos you think people will like, but photos YOU love.


~NutLu

Before:
Now:

From the first image to the last one I've learned how to use shutter speed and aperture in order to get the depth of field I want , I've also learned a lot about lighting and composing. And of course how to use a macro lens better and post processing.


~CodeNoir

old

new

When i first started photography I had an idea in my head but didn't know how to translate it correctly onto a picture. I feel like I've actually accomplished that in my latest photography!


~annierosie


OLD
The focus of this photo was supposed to be the girl but instead its focused on the fence.


NEW
In this recent photo the lighting is better and the focus is perfect.