What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses as a photographer?

Meaning, what are some things you excel at and/or enjoy shooting, or things you don't do quite as well at, think you need to work on more, or avoid doing for one reason or another? Also, is there anything you have not done, or done very little of, that you would like to try? Let's get some discussion going here.



For me, I'd say my favorite things to shoot are easily live bands and nature, and I have noticed I have started taking a lot more landscape shots and enjoying it since I got my Tokina 11-16mm. I've noticed that those are the pictures I typically get the most positive responses from as well. I also enjoy macro photography quite a bit, but I don't do it enough to consider it a favorite subject. Those are my favorite subjects, but as for things I excel at, I don't really think I have a real strength. I like mix it up when it comes to what I shoot, constantly trying a little bit of this, a little bit of that. That said, I feel like I'm pretty well rounded instead of excelling in one or two areas like those of you who specialize with birds, or portraiture, or landscapes, etc, etc, etc.


One of my least favorite things to do is probably portraiture, which is really unfortunate for me because that's what I mostly have people ask for when they want me to do any kind of pictures for them. I've done it, and will do it, but I just feel like I am not that great at it. I think my biggest problem is learning how to do lighting right. Some of you are absolute wizards when it comes to your portraiture, multiple lights, reflectors, stands, etc, that's a lot for me to wrap my head around. On top of that, I don't really have the budget to be buying all those rigs and multiple lights, I only have the on camera flash from my T3i, and a 320EX. Another big reason I am not a big fan of portraiture is the level of interaction between the subject and the photographer. I just have a hard time telling people what to do, how to sit, when to smile, etc. I guess it's because I'm kind of a shy guy.

The things I would like to improve upon the most are the two things I enjoy shooting the most. Live band photography, and nature, particularly wildlife. If I ever became proficient enough at either of those to make money off them, or even a job of it, I would be very satisfied as a photographer. When it comes to other things I'd like to try, I've recently started using my tripod more, particularly for long exposures, and I would like to continue experimenting with that. I plan on purchasing a CPL soon to further the possibilities of what I can shoot. I know I just said I wasn't a big fan of it, but I would also like to try out more portraiture, especially using my flash off camera. That will be a lot of trial and error I am sure, but the only way I am going to get better is with practice. I feel like the most underused and most under-appreciated lens in my bag is the 50mm f/1.4. I'd like to start using that more, maybe even bringing just that along somewhere so I am forced to use it. I'd also like to try some street photography with it, take the grip off and travel light, just snapping shots while walking around downtown.


Well, enough of me rambling on, let's see what you all have to say!

For me, it's doing portraiture with context. I love shooting portraiture, but for the post part, the focus is on the person - while the background is just something pretty. I rarely shoot something where the subject is interacting with his/her surroundings in a way that the setting plays a pivotal role in the image. That's been my biggest weakness so far.

Maybe this is a strange analogy, but it often floats through my mind how much photography reminds me of golf. In that there are numerous facets to "the game" (and you have to be good at all of them), doing well on one "shot" has no relevance to how well you do on the next "shot," how I am usually better when I slow down and focus more, and how you can never be done improving.

So, in my mind I am still learning about every aspect of photography. I am better than I used to be. Keeping up with my analogy, maybe I am a double/triple bogey photographer? I think I may actually be ok with events and people as I took photos that ended up on several Christmas cards this past year and in a few wedding albums. I have practiced a fair amount at bluring water, such as waterfalls, but I still have a long way to go even there. I can't call my wildlife photography a strength, as I basically spray and pray and sometimes my prayers are answered. So, other than being there with a camera, I am not sure I do much, certainly not like Joel or Bob with their bird set ups.

In terms of what I want to work on...that is easy...everything...but aside from the obvious....I am planning to work on being more deliberate about my shots and working with light. Not just with flash/etc...but more of taking the time to be at the right place at the right time to get a certain kind of light that I want. Or not settling for "a shot"...but working a little harder to get a better shot.